Taft, Fremont Boys Challenge Leaders

Crenshaw, Fairfax and Westchester have asserted themselves as the three leading contenders for the City Section boys’ basketball title.

But what other teams are expected to make a run at reaching the Championship Division semifinals once playoffs begin Feb. 18?

With three league games remaining in the regular season, Woodland Hills Taft and Fremont appear to have the best chance.

Taft began the week 16-1 overall and 6-0 in the West Valley League. The Toreadors are led by guards Steve Smith and Ronald Gray and center Gregg Guenther.

Fremont began the week 14-8 overall and 4-2 in the Coliseum League after a 77-64 loss to Crenshaw Friday. Its only other league defeat was a 92-87 double-overtime loss to Crenshaw on Jan. 12. Junior guard Kenton Paulino is averaging 30.2 points a game for the Pathfinders.

And what of defending City champion Manual Arts?

The Toilers, led by Mario Roberts’ 17 points, almost knocked off Crenshaw last Wednesday in a Coliseum League game that gave Coach Randolph Simpson and his players confidence heading into the final two weeks of league play and the postseason.

Manual Arts led by 11 points early in the third quarter. Crenshaw came back and won, 72-70, on two free throws by freshman Marcus Williams with seven seconds left.

The Toilers, however, lost to Dorsey, 76-69, on Friday to fall to 9-7 and 2-4.

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Trilena Amos of the Crenshaw girls’ basketball team entered Wednesday’s Coliseum League game against Locke coming off two outstanding performances last week.

Amos, a 5-foot-7 senior who will attend Cal State Fullerton, scored 34 points in an 84-55 victory over Manual Arts and had 46 points in a 104-48 victory over Fremont.