Freshman Leads Taft Over Granada Hills

Steve Smith of Taft High is arguably the hottest freshman basketball player in the region.

His temperament, however, is something else.

“He’s like ice out there,” Coach Mark Drucker said. “Nothing fazes him. He just goes out and plays.”

Nobody was playing quite like Mr. Cool on Friday night, when Smith scored 25 points and made eight steals to lead Taft to a 80-75 victory over Granada Hills in a West Valley League game at Taft.

In its most physical game of the year, Taft, in foul trouble for most of the second half, withstood several rallies by a formidable Granada Hills squad.

The Toreadors (12-1 overall, 2-0 in league play), who have won 12 consecutive games since a two-point loss to Pasadena Marshall, had three starters foul out.

Taft was whistled for 24 fouls and apparently it could have been worse.

“The official came up to me and told me, ‘We’re letting you play a little bit,’ ” Drucker said. “But fouls are going to happen. And you’ve got to play through it.”

Granada Hills, however, squandered its opportunities at the line, making only 15 of 27 (56%) free throws.

“We didn’t make our free throws, didn’t shoot well and got behind early,” said Coach Lou Cicciari of Granada Hills.

Granada Hills (8-9, 0-2), which trailed, 42-32, at halftime, made only four of 11 free throws in the second quarter.

Taft made 20 of 29 free throws and was 15 of 17 until early in the fourth quarter.

Center Gregg Guenther of Taft, who finished with 22 points, made all eight of his free throws, including six in the second quarter.

Taft led, 73-66, when Guenther picked up his fifth foul with 2:42 remaining. After Guenther’s exit, Drucker was left chewing his nails, relying on three sophomores and a freshman.

Forward Ronald Gray, who scored 10 of his 14 points in the first quarter, was the first Toreador to foul out, leaving with 1:46 left in the third quarter. Point guard Derrick McCoy picked up his fifth foul with 1:08 remaining.

But youth served Taft in crunch time. The reserves never allowed Granada Hills to get closer than six points after Guenther fouled out until Ryan Hicks’ three-pointer got the Highlanders to within 79-75 with seven seconds left.

Taft led by 16 points twice in the second quarter.

The Highlanders scratched their way to within 42-36 on a Hicks jumper early in the third quarter.

But Taft’s 15-6 run, fueled by Smith’s six points, extended the Toreadors’ lead to 57-42.

Granada Hills, which never led, had to play catch-up for the second time in as many games. Cleveland led the Highlanders from the start in a 60-58 victory on Wednesday.

“When we figure out how to start off well, we’re going to be tough to beat,” Cicciari said.

Granada Hills, which made 24 of 72 shots (33%), was led by Midwin Francis’ 23 points. Hicks had 18.

Walter Burch scored all of his points on five three-point baskets, four in the second half.