HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL : Chatsworth Showcases Skill, 59-47

CHATSWORTH â€”  The Chatsworth High basketball team is one of the most-talented in the area. And in the opening quarter of Friday’s Northwest Valley Conference game, the Chancellors demonstrated why.

With their biggest player, 6-foot-7 Eddie Miller, on the bench, the Chancellors still outscored Birmingham by 16 points in the first quarter and easily won, 59-47.

“They were awesome,� Birmingham Coach Al Bennett said.

Said Chatsworth Coach Bill Whiting: “In that first quarter, we played like we were capable of.�

Point guard Jerome Joseph scored 14 of his 20 points in the quarter for the Chancellors (12-4, 3-0 in conference play). He is one-third of a talented Chancellor trio.

Joseph, who averages 18.8 points a game, is a solidly built 5-11 junior, quick and muscular. He is a good passer who is strong enough to launch a three-point shot with a flick of his wrist and tough enough to drive inside.

Tariq Hill, a 6-3 senior, is a smooth swingman and underrated scorer. He is active around the basket and possesses excellent leaping ability. He had eight points against the Braves and averages 12.6 points.

But the centerpiece, literally and figuratively, is Miller, a solid 6-7 junior with strong hands and fine perimeter skills--a sure-fire college prospect who averages 18.2 points and 12.4 rebounds. This season, he has been slowed occasionally by a sore knee, and sat out the first quarter Friday as agreed upon with Whiting.

He started slowly, but scored 14 of his 17 points in the second half. He also had 14 rebounds.

“I’m satisfied with the way we played,� Miller said.

Sophomore David Redmond had 14 points and Scott James added 11 for Birmingham (8-7, 2-1).

The Braves trailed by 14 points at halftime, but rallied to within 41-34 with just over a minute remaining in the third quarter.

Chatsworth, though, scored nine consecutive points to put it out of reach.

* HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUPS: C12