Instead of Peeking, Cleveland Seems to Be Peaking

Nobody can say Cleveland High was peeking ahead to next week.

The Cavaliers were plenty focused, though at times they were more of a blur in whizzing past Kennedy, 71-56, in a West Valley League boys’ basketball game Friday night at Kennedy.

Cleveland, ranked No. 7 in the region by The Times, caused all sorts of trouble with its full-court press, forcing 11 turnovers in the second quarter to turn the tide.

The Cavaliers moved into first place when Chatsworth, ranked No. 5, was upset by Taft. Cleveland will try to hold sole possession of the lead when it plays the Chancellors on Wednesday at Chatsworth.

“Everybody’s talking Chatsworth this, Chatsworth that,” said James Morris, Cleveland co-coach. “It should be a great game.”

Did Cleveland (16-4, 6-0 in league play) really have a 4-3 record earlier this season?

“We’re a completely different team than we were in the preseason,” said Adam Levitt, Cleveland’s other co-coach.

It showed.

The Cavaliers, who have won seven games in a row and 12 of 13, blitzed the Golden Cougars by forcing 26 turnovers and converting several steals into easy baskets.

Brian Smith scored 20 points, 16 in the second half, and had five dunks for Cleveland, which led by as many as 25 points in the third quarter.

“It started to get easy after a while,” Smith said. “We just started hustling, playing good defense. We didn’t fool around.”

Kennedy (12-7, 4-2) played well in a 59-56 loss to Chatsworth on Wednesday, but the loss to Cleveland hurts its chances of claiming the league title.

“This was totally contrary to the way we played against Chatsworth,” Coach Tim Guy of Kennedy said. “It’s ridiculous.”

Forward Nana Gbewonyo of Kennedy couldn’t finish practice Thursday because he felt dizzy from a head cold.

Cleveland’s press didn’t exactly make him feel better.

“They got us with that,” said Gbewonyo, who finished with 18 points. “Too many silly turnovers.”

It was especially evident in the second quarter. Cleveland used a 7-0 run to start the period and an 8-1 run to end it.

The Cavaliers outscored Kennedy in the second quarter, 19-7, and led at halftime, 35-17.

Kent Dennis, who injured his left knee in Cleveland’s victory over Taft on Wednesday, showed no ill effects despite missing practice Thursday.

Dennis finished with 18 points.

Mark Burns added 12 for Kennedy.