North Hollywood Rolls On, 83-68

Tashean Thomas and Markia Derby combined for 52 points and the North Hollywood High girls’ basketball team snapped Grant’s eight-game winning streak with an 83-68 Mid-Valley League victory over the Lancers Wednesday at North Hollywood.

Thomas had 27 points, six assists and four steals. Derby had 25 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.

The victory moved North Hollywood (17-5, 7-0) a game ahead of Grant (14-8, 6-1) in the league standings. And while the Huskies snapped the Lancers’ modest winning streak, they extended--or progressed on--a couple of their own.

North Hollywood stretched its own winning streak to seven games, and put itself in good position to win or share a league championship for the ninth season in a row. Grant beat North Hollywood in the teams’ first meeting last season, ending a 51-game Valley Pac-8 Conference winning streak that dated to the 1992-93 season. Although the Huskies won the second time they met the Lancers, North Hollywood was forced to settle for a co-championship.

The Huskies showed Wednesday that, this year, they’re not willing to share. After last year’s loss to the Lancers, North Hollywood started a new conference streak that is now at 12 games.

“We learned a lesson last year,” Thomas said. “This year, we know we can’t take anybody lightly. We wanted to send a message to Grant that both games are going to be tough this year.”

Grant, which started two juniors and three sophomores, received the message loud and clear in the closing minutes of the second quarter and the opening minutes of the third period.

North Hollywood broke a 28-28 tie with a 10-0 surge in the last 1:40 of the second quarter to take a 38-28 halftime lead. Grant never recovered.

North Hollywood started the third quarter with an 11-0 run in the first 2:15, and went ahead, 49-28.

Aided by Grant’s 23 turnovers, the Huskies’ advantage grew to 22 points late in the third period.

A big fourth quarter by Kathleen Mallon helped Grant cut North Hollywood’s lead to 58-47 with five minutes remaining, but that was as close as the Lancers got.

Mallon hit four three-point shots in the final period, when she scored 14 of her 23 points. Grant also got 14 points and four assists by Leslie Mui and Krystal Clay grabbed 16 rebounds.

While Thomas and Derby had the biggest games for North Hollywood, they were supported by Angelle Hill and Richelle Sherman. Hill grabbed 16 rebounds and had five points. Sherman contributed 14 points and 12 rebounds.

El Camino Real 85, Kennedy 36--Christina Aguinaga made seven three-point baskets and scored a game-high 25 points for the host Conquistadores (18-4, 7-0) in a West Valley League victory.

Cara Blumfield had 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for El Camino Real.

Cleveland 56, Granada Hills 22--Jessica Cosby, back after missing four games because of an injured right knee, scored 19 points for the host Cavaliers (10-6, 3-4) in a North Valley League victory.

Village Christian 40, Rolling Hills Prep 39--Jennie Lee Greslie’s short jumper in the final minute gave the Crusaders (12-10) a nonleague upset victory against host Rolling Hills Prep (13-1), ranked No. 2 in Division V-A.

Greslie, who scored 20 points and had 10 rebounds, stole the ball with 17 seconds left and the Crusaders ran out the clock.

Moorpark 63, Newbury Park 58--Damaris Hinojosa scored 15 of her 24 points for the No. 2-ranked Musketeers (20-1, 9-0) in the first half of a Marmonte League victory at Newbury Park (10-10, 4-5).