L.A. High Has More Entertaining Thoughts

Only time will tell if the Los Angeles High boys’ basketball team is a serious contender for the 4-A title.

But the Normans have already proved to be the most entertaining group in the City.

Last Friday, L.A. High put on its usual show in defeating Manual Arts, 92-80, at L.A. High. Forward Deon Green and guard Leroy Dawson each scored 31 points as the Normans beat the Toilers, who were 17-2 before the game.

Next for L.A. High, 15-4 overall and 5-0 in the Coastal Conference, is powerful Westchester on Friday at home.

“We’re exactly where we hoped we would be,” said Dawson, who made seven three-point shots against Manual Arts. “We’re underrated, but we’re tough enough to compete with anyone. Other teams better watch out for us in the playoffs.”

Opponents are still trying to figure out the best way to stop Green, who might be the City’s best at finishing a play. Green has scored a high percentage of his points on baskets--and free throws--made after drawing contact on drives to the hoop. Against Manual Arts, he had three key three-point plays down the stretch.

“It gets kind of rough when you’re getting hit, but I just try to stay focused,” Green said. “That’s what we need to do against Westchester. This is the game we’ve been waiting for all year.”

L.A. High Coach John Brooker agreed.

“We knew we would have a good team, but this is a chance to really see where we stand,” Brooker said. “The kids are ready. It should be quite a show.”

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City Section Commissioner Barbara Fiege said a subcommittee of the Interscholastic Athletic Committee will meet within the next month to revisit the league realignment issue that was shot down earlier this school year.

Fiege said, however, that no changes in the league and conference alignments are likely to be implemented for the 1998-99 school year.