Cleveland Begins West Valley League Play with Victory Against Granada Hills
Cleveland High Dominates Granada Hills in League Opener
Cleveland High’s basketball team showcased their potential on Wednesday night, overwhelming Granada Hills with a decisive 72-47 victory in their West Valley League opener. The Cavaliers, led by Coach Dagem Asfaw, responded to an urgent call for teamwork, particularly in the second half, where they demonstrated improved ball movement.
At halftime, Cleveland maintained a nine-point lead, 32-23. The turning point came when the Cavaliers began the third quarter with three consecutive three-pointers, all generated from team plays. Asfaw’s directive for his players to make the "extra pass" resonated as they effectively utilized their talent, raising questions about which teams could potentially challenge them in the league.
Sophomore Sho Evans was a notable contributor, finishing the game with 17 points, including four three-pointers. Serigne Deme made a significant impact early on, scoring 11 of his 13 points in the first quarter, highlighted by four dunks. Additionally, TJ Wansa added 13 points, all scored in the latter half.
In other West Valley League action, Birmingham triumphed over Taft with a score of 75-57. Tekeio Phillips led the Patriots with 19 points, while Charles Eleri added 16.
El Camino Real narrowly defeated Chatsworth, 55-53, with Aarsh Singh, Aaron Krueger, and Chris Rutherford each contributing 11 points for Chatsworth. In another closely contested game, Fairfax edged Westchester 66-64, driven by Domonick Bowie Jr. who scored 16 points.
Furthermore, Palisades dominated Hamilton, winning 87-48. Jack Levey and EJ Popoola each scored 22 points, with Phillip Reed contributing 19 and OJ Popoola 16.
San Pedro outmatched Carson 74-50, thanks to Elias Redlew’s standout performance, which included 18 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Calabasas delivered a thrilling double-overtime win against Oaks Christian, 64-62. The Coyotes handed Oaks Christian its first Marmonte League defeat, with Noah Simon hitting a buzzer-beater three-point shot in the second overtime. Tristan Cardoso and Johnny Thyfault each scored 16 points for Calabasas.
In Girls Basketball:
Harvard-Westlake defeated Louisville 42-23, with Valentina Guerrero returning from injury to score 13 points. Sierra Canyon dominated Marlborough, 79-31, propelled by Jerzy Robinson’s impressive game of 29 points and 10 rebounds. Birmingham claimed a strong victory over Taft, 65-28, with Kayla Tanijiri leading with 15 points and Laecy Wilkins adding 14.
