North Hollywood’s Fall Guys Enjoy Taking Charge on Court

Players on the North Hollywood High boys’ basketball team might have futures as stuntmen based on their ability to fall on their behinds.

They have no fear of injury, taking charging foul after charging foul.

“We get rid of that fear day one,” Coach Rob Bloom said. “We’ve taken charges in every practice since the day school started.”

Led by its defense, North Hollywood (10-6, 2-0 in East Valley League play) has won eight consecutive games and taken 40 charges in the process.

“We’ll be in your face hopefully full court,” Bloom said.

Dominic Johnson, a sophomore guard, has ignited the offense with eight three-pointers in the last two games.

Point guard Rahnell Johnson, most valuable player at the Eagle Rock tournament, has sparked a balanced attack.

North Hollywood, which competes in the same league with Sylmar, Grant and Canoga Park, was the preseason pick to finish last. Not anymore.

“We’re coming together,” Bloom said.

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Coach Bob Webb of Montclair Prep said he decided not to coach his team last Friday against Pacific Hills after fearing a confrontation with a parent upset about the lack of playing time for his son.

“I was trying to avoid a situation,” Webb said. “I had a conversation with a parent, and it wasn’t very nice.

“I thought it was better for me not to let it boil over into something it didn’t need to be.”

Montclair Prep is 4-13 this season under Webb, who coached the Mountie girls last season before replacing co-coaches Howard Abrams and Greg Patterson on the boys’ team.

He returned to run the team in practice Monday and was back coaching the Mounties on Tuesday against Whitney.

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The Mission League boys’ game between Crespi and Notre Dame this week has been moved to Friday night at Crespi.

GIRLS’ NOTES

Opponents of Channel Islands have plenty to worry about in trying to stop UCLA-bound Jaline Bradley.

Now they’ll have to devote some practice time to stopping Chenne Tuimoloau, who has shown signs of becoming completely recovered from a groin pull that plagued her for most of the season.

Tuimoloau scored 24 points in a Pacific View League victory over Camarillo last week, making four three-pointers and grabbing 10 rebounds.

“Her quickness and her first step are back,” Coach Pat Bell of Channel Islands said.

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Defending Mission League boys’ champion Chaminade is 31-10 in league play since the start of the 1995-96 season.

During that same span, the Chaminade girls’ team is 1-32 in league play.

Staff writers Eric Sondheimer and Vince Kowalick and correspondents Mike Bresnahan and Dave Desmond contributed to this notebook.