Littlerock Trips Gardena, 67-58

Wow, did they need to talk things over.

Littlerock High, getting creamed on the boards on Friday by Lynwood, was doing more watching than sweating when Coach Ben Dale called a timeout.

The guilty members--there were plenty--were singled out, and the Lobos returned to the court.

The game was tied at the time, midway through the second quarter. That would change.

Rebounding reappeared and the Lobos embarked on a game-turning run that propelled them to a 67-58 victory over Lynwood in a semifinal game at the Valencia boys’ basketball tournament.

Gene Myvett, who scored four points in the second half of a quarterfinal victory over Ventura, returned to form, scoring 22 points, including seven in the fourth quarter.

Brandon White, who did not score in the first quarter, promptly became a force after Dale called the timeout. He finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and a crucial blocked shot with 17 seconds left that preserved a five-point lead.

“I had to get on him a little bit,” Dale said. “I think it moved him into high gear because I’m usually not a big screamer.”

Maybe Dale should yell more often. Littlerock (7-2) plays Eisenhower tonight in the championship game.

Lynwood was taller, deeper and, Dale admitted, more talented than Littlerock.

But the Lobos went on a 10-0 run that began with a short jumper by Myvett with three minutes left in the second quarter.

Littlerock never trailed after the run, taking a 33-23 halftime lead.

There were tense moments for the Lobos, who finally withered from Lynwood’s game-long full-court pressure.

The Knights (4-2) pulled to within 63-58 on a layup by David Colbert with 20 seconds left.

Colbert, who was fouled on the play, missed the free throw, but recovered the rebound, only to have his shot blocked by White.

Eisenhower 73, Granada Hills 42--The Highlanders were hoping to top the 90-point mark for the third consecutive time in the tournament.

Instead, they nearly broke the 35-turnover barrier.

Granada Hills (5-3) had 33 turnovers and never contested Eisenhower (7-1) after the first quarter in a semifinal.

“We didn’t do a very good job of taking care of the ball,” said Coach Lou Cicciari of Granada Hills.

The Highlanders defeated Alemany in the first round, 90-88, and Valencia in the quarterfinals, 93-76, but were slowed by poor shooting against Eisenhower, making 15 of 51 shots (29.4%).

Walter Burch and Ryan Hicks each scored 11 points for Granada Hills, which plays Lynwood for third place.

Birmingham 58, Reseda 56--David Spencer made two free throws with 10 seconds left for the Patriots, who play Alemany for 13th place.

Mshak Ghazarian scored seven of his 15 points in the fourth quarter for Birmingham (3-4).

Royal 69, Crespi 53--After scoring 37 points on Wednesday, Adam Segal scored 34 points for the Highlanders (3-4) in a consolation game.

Notre Dame 61, Valencia 60--Darin Barton made one of two free throws with six seconds left and the Knights (6-2) won the fifth-place semifinal of the Valencia tournament.

Ruben Sanchez led Notre Dame with 17 points.