North Hollywood Shows Fancy Moves to Franklin, 58-46

The North Hollywood High drill team and color guard was in full dress, going all out to put on an impressive display at intermission.

The rest of the show came courtesy of the Huskies, who defeated Franklin, 58-46, in a City Championship girls’ basketball first-round playoff game on Friday night at North Hollywood.

It was North Hollywood’s 11th consecutive victory.

The star was Tashean Thomas, who had 26 points and six steals but might need an understudy for the next act.

Thomas injured her left foot while chasing a loose ball with 1:12 to play and might miss a quarterfinal game against El Camino Real on Wednesday.

Coach Rich Allen said Thomas either sprained or bruised her heel.

North Hollywood (21-5), seeded No. 4, was particularly strong in the first half behind Thomas’ 14 first-quarter points and Markia Derby’s 12 points in the second quarter.

Thomas’ first-quarter outburst helped spark a 15-4 run that gave the Huskies a 17-6 advantage they never relinquished.

Thomas had nine points in the spurt and Angelle Hill had six. Four of their baskets in the run came after steals.

“Our quickness just tired them out,” said Hill, who, like Thomas, had six steals. “I don’t think they could really hang with us.”

The Huskies shot 55.5% (15 of 27) from the field in the first half and led, 37-17, at halftime.

“We played probably the most disciplined and focused 16 minutes we’ve played all year in that first half,” Allen said.

Although smaller than Franklin, which featured 6-foot-5 junior center Lily Ramirez, North Hollywood never allowed the Panthers (22-5) closer than 56-46.

Derby finished with 17 points and nine rebounds. Ramirez had 12 points and 14 rebounds.