Birmingham’s Exciting Finish Is Taylor Made

Darol Taylor drove the length of the court, missed a short jump shot, got the rebound and made a layup at the buzzer to lift Birmingham High to a 53-52 victory over Monroe in a nonconference boys’ basketball game Thursday night at Birmingham.

Taylor scored 13 of his game-high 18 points in the second half, including eight in the fourth quarter. Mshak Ghazarian scored 14 points for Birmingham (3-11).

Eric Senna, who had 17 points, gave Monroe a 52-51 lead by converting a three-point play with 10 seconds remaining. Robert Palafox added 15 points for the Vikings.

Price Christian 77, Montclair Prep 68--Maxwell Lucas of Montclair Prep made a 15-foot jump shot at the fourth-quarter buzzer to send the game into overtime, but the Mounties (4-10) were outscored, 16-7, in the extra period in a nonleague game at Montclair Prep.

Josiah Johnson, who had 23 points and 16 rebounds for Montclair Prep, did not score in overtime.

Andrew Howard had 26 points for Price Christian (13-3), which made eight three-point shots.

GIRLS’ GAMES

Harvard-Westlake 98, Chaminade 23--L’Tanya Robnett and Brooke Porter combined for 53 of the Wolverines’ points in a Mission League victory at Chaminade (4-11, 0-2).

Robnett had 27 points and 10 rebounds, and Porter contributed 26 points and seven assists for Harvard-Westlake (16-3, 2-0), ranked No. 6 in the region by The Times.

Rolake Bamgbose sat out the game for Harvard-Westlake because of a hyperextended left knee sustained Tuesday in a league victory over Louisville.

Buena 61, San Marcos 40--Freshman forward Courtney LaVere had 18 points and five blocks, and sophomore center Kelly Greathouse added 16 points for the No. 1-ranked Bulldogs (12-2) in a Channel League opener at San Marcos.

Ventura 76, Dos Pueblos 33--Eliza Richman scored all 13 of her points in the first half to help the No. 7-ranked Cougars (9-6) take a 52-19 lead in a Channel League opener at Ventura.

Alex Gientke, Julie Essary and Renee Jimenez each had 11 points for Ventura, which played its reserves throughout the second half.

Highland 51, Littlerock 49--Denisha McQueen made a 13-foot jump shot with eight seconds remaining to lift the Bulldogs (7-9) in a Golden League opener at Highland.

Highland’s Lamarra Burleson led all scorers with 26 points and had 23 rebounds, and McQueen finished with 13 points.

Kristel Jones had 16 points for Littlerock (8-9).

Quartz Hill 70, Antelope Valley 45--Junior forward Lannette Richardson had 25 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Rebels (4-9) in a Golden League opener at Antelope Valley.

Quartz Hill extended a 31-21 halftime lead by outscoring the Antelopes, 23-11, in the third quarter. The Rebels forced several turnovers in the quarter, triggering their transition game.

Crystal McCutcheon led Antelope Valley with 23 points.

Oxnard 44, Camarillo 35--Tina Samaniego scored 13 of her game-high 16 points in the second half to help host Oxnard (6-10) overcome poor free-throw shooting in a Pacific View League opener.

The Yellowjackets made only 10 of 27 free throws and were unable to extend a 20-13 halftime lead.

Lisa Donahue scored 15 points for Camarillo (8-9).

Mayfield 48, Flintridge Prep 44--Lori Tashjian made six three-point baskets to finish with 18 points for Flintridge Prep (3-7, 1-1), which lost a fourth-quarter lead in a Prep League game at Mayfield.