Taft Gives El Camino Real Wrinkle With Heavy Press

After two weeks of no basketball games, Taft High needed the first half Wednesday to loosen up. Then the Toreadors unleashed a trapping half-court defense that left El Camino Real in shambles.

The third quarter was almost a blur, as Taft players raced up and down stealing passes and scoring on easy layups. A seven-point halftime lead zoomed to a 29-point cushion. In the end, Taft won its West Valley League opener, 76-39, its 11th win in 12 games.

“Our pressure obviously bothered El Camino Real and that’s our game,” Coach Mark Drucker said. “We anticipate extremely well and play the passing lanes extremely well.”

Freshman Steve Smith scored 21 points and 6-foot-8 center Gregg Guenther added 19 points and 13 rebounds.

Taft outscored the Conquistadores, 49-19, in the second half. At one point, guard Derrick McCoy scored consecutive layups off steals and Smith followed with a dunk. El Camino Real dropped to 4-7.

“Derrick was all over the court and set the tone,” Drucker said.

It’s scary how well Taft is playing, considering the Toreadors won by 37 points even though their best shooter, Ronald Gray, went two for 13. Gray didn’t practice because of a sprained ankle but the Toreadors hardly needed him the way they created scoring opportunities by playing pressure defense.

James Smith was an unsung hero guarding El Camino Real’s top player, 6-5 Justin Saad-Anthony, who had 15 rebounds but made only five of 15 shots.

The 260-pound Guenther missed two shots. He resembles the Incredible Hulk in the middle using size and strength to dominate smaller opponents.

“He’s physical inside,” Drucker said.

The competition figures to become tougher starting Friday with an improving Granada Hills team ready to challenge the Toreadors.

But if Taft keeps playing relentless defense, opponents face a difficult task in the weeks ahead.

And just wait until Gray regains his shooting touch.