Hauser’s Game Blooming as North Hollywood Wins

Rob Bloom of North Hollywood High said he would be coach of the year if he figured out how to bring out the best in 6-foot-5 senior Kenny Hauser every game.

“When he’s on, we can play with anybody,” Bloom said.

Even Hauser wonders what kind of player he would be with a little more consistency.

“If I had an answer, I’d be playing well the whole season,” he said.

Fortunately for the Huskies, Hauser was at his best Thursday, scoring 21 points on eight-of-10 shooting and collecting seven rebounds during North Hollywood’s 73-57 victory over Glendale in a quarterfinal game of the Hart tournament.

The Huskies (7-4) play Camarillo (9-4) in a 6:30 semifinal game tonight.

North Hollywood is most effective when the opponent doesn’t pressure its guards. Glendale (6-5) started out in a zone and let Hauser and 6-5 Josiah James easily receive the ball around the basket.

James contributed 14 points, Nathan Stern scored 13 and Gus Ruiz had 12 for the Huskies.

But much of the Huskies’ success or failure rests on the shoulders of Hauser, whose rebounding and leaping skills help compensate for the team’s lack of quickness.

Hauser is one of the school’s best athletes, also excelling in volleyball. If only Bloom knew a way to trigger Hauser’s competitiveness.

“When I see orange, I’ll be playing,” Hauser said, referring to the color of league rival Grant.

Crespi 70, Hart 45--Junior guard Allan Ellis, a rising prospect in the region, made 10 of 13 shots and finished with 22 points to help the Celts (8-2) win a quarterfinal game.

Ellis scored eight points during a 16-0 surge in the second and third quarters that turned the game into a rout.

Andrew Moore made three three-pointers for Crespi in the third quarter.

Crespi faces Murphy in an 8 p.m. semifinal game tonight.

Camarillo 73, LACES 48--Jared Jungwirth scored 17 of his 23 points in the first half, when the Scorpions (9-4) opened a 21-point lead en route to a quarterfinal victory.

Camarillo led by 38 points in the second half.

Point guard Brad Boyer, who had five assists, was successful finding open teammates for the Scorpions.

The Scorpions’ streak of 36 consecutive minutes without committing a foul ended with 6:01 left in the first quarter on a foul by Jimmy Alstot.

Camarillo did not commit a foul during a victory over Littlerock on Wednesday night.

Murphy 76, Saugus 64--Chukwuma Awaji scored 24 points and Travis Singletary added 20 points as the Nobles (9-3) won a quarterfinal game.

Reseda 60, Beverly Hills 39--Sergei Lepiashinski scored 19 points for the Regents (6-7) in a consolation victory.

Burroughs 67, Littlerock 45--Matt Torres scored 18 points to spark the Indians (3-8) to a consolation victory.

West Bakersfield 69, Cleveland 61--The Cavaliers fell to 0-10 in a consolation defeat.

Chris Dixon scored 26 points for West Bakersfield.

Palmdale 58, Royal 56--David Hall scored 21 points for the Falcons (6-5) in a consolation victory.