San Fernando Gets Pushed by Taft Before Pulling Away, 73-61

If San Fernando High expected to breeze through the Northwest Valley Conference boys’ basketball schedule undefeated, it should consider its first two games a wake-up call.

After escaping with an overtime victory Wednesday against Cleveland, the Tigers were again pushed to the limit in a 73-61 victory over Taft on Friday night at San Fernando.

“We found a way to win tonight, but it’s nothing to brag about,” San Fernando Coach Mick Cady said. “This thing was in doubt until the last two minutes. It could have gone either way.”

San Fernando, ranked third in The Times’ regional poll, again relied on the heroics of Mike Page, who hit a three-point basket as the 35-second clock expired to give the Tigers (15-2, 2-0 in conference) a 69-61 lead with 1:08 to play.

“We knew about him, we knew he was dangerous,” Taft Coach Mark Drucker said of Page, who hit a long-range jumper at the buzzer to force overtime against Cleveland. “And he hit the big shots when it counted.”

Page, a 6-foot-5 senior forward, scored 12 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, including three three-point baskets.

“I worked on my outside shot all summer,” Page said. “My team has confidence in me and I have confidence I can hit the clutch shots.”

Devin Montgomery had 18 points and seven steals for the Tigers, including 11 consecutive points at the end of the first quarter to put San Fernando ahead, 21-15.

Brandon Fisher converted an inbounds pass into a layup that tied the score, 32-32, with 1:37 left in the first half, but consecutive three-point baskets by brothers Sean and Bryson Atkins gave the Tigers a 38-35 halftime lead.

“Those two Atkins kids were tremendous,” Drucker said. “It’s hard to defense that team because they have so many weapons.”

Amir Bar-Netzer scored 17 points for the Toreadors (8-4, 1-1), including a 10-foot bank shot in the lane that pulled Taft to within 66-61 with 1:38 left.

Harold Shevlin added 13 points and 12 rebounds for Taft, despite playing the fourth quarter with four fouls.

“I thought Cleveland would be our toughest competition, but Taft is a solid team too,” Cady said.

“Page really bailed us out with those shots at the end.”