Littlerock Sees Payoff in Playoffs

Is this the year it finally happens?

Littlerock High has never won a playoff game in any sport since the school began competing at the varsity level in 1991, for most sports.

But the drought could end Friday.

Littlerock appears to have an edge over Buena Park in a first-round game of the Southern Section II-AA boys’ basketball playoffs at Littlerock.

The Lobos (19-7), who won a share of their first Golden League basketball title, have one of the most explosive players in the region, Gene Myvett, who is averaging 25.6 points per game.

Buena Park (12-14) finished last in the Freeway League with a 2-8 record. Wing DeAndre Gipson averages 14.2 points.

Will school history be made on Friday?

“I hope so,” said Coach Ben Dale of Littlerock. “I’m hoping we can break the cycle this year. But it’s one of those things, you’ve got to play the games. . . . “

The Littlerock girls’ basketball team has a much tougher task, but, theoretically, could beat the boys to the punch. The Lobos (17-9) travel to Arrowhead and play traditionally-strong Rim of the World in a first-round game of the Division II-A playoffs Thursday night.

Littlerock would welcome a victory by either the boys’ or girls’ team, be it in the form of a nail-biting thriller or a 20-point blowout.

Said Dale: “We’re keeping our fingers crossed.”

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A Golden League boys’ team has not won a playoff game since Antelope Valley in 1997.

But three of the four playoff-bound teams in the league have home games in the first round. Lancaster hosts Moreno Valley and Quartz Hill hosts Hart in the I-A playoffs Wednesday. Littlerock hosts Buena Park in the II-AA playoffs on Friday.

The lone Golden League team playing on the road, Highland, is at San Gabriel in the first round of the I-AA playoffs.

“If we don’t win [a game] this year, after the good draws we’ve got, we should all move to the Central Section,” Dale said.