Taft Capitalizes at Crunch Time

Taft High made four free throws in the final 40 seconds and weathered two late three-point baskets to upset Chatsworth, 69-67, Friday night in a West Valley League boys’ basketball game at Taft.

Shayne Berry, who had 12 points, six assists and five steals, made two free throws to give the Taft a 67-61 lead.

But the Chancellors (13-4, 5-1 in league play), ranked No. 5 in the region by The Times, responded with a three-point basket by Mark Cannon.

Chatsworth fouled Raja Boykins, who made two free throws with 10 seconds left.

Bobby Bowlin, who led the Chancellors with 16 points, made a three-pointer in the final seconds to account for the final score.

Boykins had 19 points and five steals, and Thaddis Bosley scored 20 points for Taft (11-5, 4-2).

Chatsworth starters Richard Harrison and Marlik Morris sat out the first half for unspecified reasons and each finished with nine points.

“It’s a great win,” Taft Coach Mark Drucker said. “My guys believe in themselves and they battled all the way.”

Sylmar 80, Canoga Park 52--Joey Youman scored 10 of his 16 points in the third quarter, when the Spartans extended an eight-point halftime lead to 60-35 en route to an East Valley League victory at Sylmar.

Sylmar (18-5, 5-1), ranked No. 3 in the region, played without starting forward George Wrighster and sixth man Damon Derrico. Wrighster was on a football recruiting trip to Oregon and Derrico sat out because of illness.

San Fernando 73, Granada Hills 58--Jason Tubbs scored 23 points and Roger Martinez added 19 for the Tigers (6-15, 3-3) in a North Valley League victory at San Fernando.

Grant 57, North Hollywood 54--The Lancers overcame a season-low 15 points by Gilbert Arenas to post an East Valley League victory at Grant.

Krishna Evans scored 16 points Grant (17-4, 5-1), ranked No. 8 in the region.

Dominick Johnson and Jason Mikisick each scored 15 points for North Hollywood (11-9, 3-3), which played without point guard Rahnell Johnson because of a sprained ankle.

Poly 67, Reseda 44--James Word scored 18 points and the Parrots (11-9, 5-1) extended a five-point halftime lead by limiting the Regents to one field goal in the third quarter of a East Valley League victory at Poly.

Santa Clara 70, Malibu 35--Nick Jones had 23 points and 14 rebounds, and Terrance Dotsy had 10 points for No. 10-ranked Santa Clara (18-3, 3-2) in a Frontier League game at Malibu.

Calabasas 74, Santa Paula 63--Michael Goldman had 23 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists--his sixth triple-double of the season--for the Coyotes (10-12, 2-3) to a Frontier League victory at Calabasas.

Canyon 33, Burbank 32--Everett Bryson’s free throw in the final minute broke a 32-32 tie and lifted the Cowboys (11-10, 4-2) in a Foothill League game at Burbank.

Jack Holwahjian scored 16 points for Burbank, which was outscored, 12-6, in the fourth quarter.

Valencia 55, Hart 49--Royce Minor scored 12 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter and Mark Sison added 17 points for the Vikings (12-10, 5-1) in a Foothill League victory at Valencia.

Tamir Barkan scored 19 points and Kelly Weldon had 11 points and 11 rebounds for Hart (12-10, 1-5).

Highland 66, Littlerock 65--Humberto Zamora’s layup with two seconds remaining lifted the Bulldogs (11-11, 2-4) to a Golden League upset at Highland.

Littlerock (17-4, 4-2) followed Zamora’s basket with a five-second violation on the inbounds play. Zamora finished with 14 points and eight assists.

Ventura 86, Dos Pueblos 79--Jeff Staniland scored 16 of his 32 points in the first quarter and the Cougars (13-9, 3-2) extended their winning streak to three games with a Channel League victory at Dos Pueblos. Ventura outscored Dos Pueblos (17-6, 3-2), 32-21, in the first quarter.

Buena 66, San Marcos 57--Robby Blanks scored nine of his 20 points in the third quarter to help the Bulldogs erase a five-point halftime deficit and rally for a Channel League victory at Buena.

Danny Thompson had 15 points and 10 rebounds for Buena (9-13, 1-4).

Agoura 78, Westlake 55--Garrett Lepisto scored 10 of his 23 points in the third quarter to help the Chargers (11-11, 5-3) win a Marmonte League game at Agoura.

Oxnard 67, Camarillo 57--Sophomore Jason Parker scored seven of 10 points in fourth quarter to help the Yellowjackets (16-6, 5-0) pull away for a Pacific View League victory at Oxnard.

Muir 68, Crescenta Valley 43--The Mustangs (23-1, 6-0) finished with a 28-8 run in a Pacific League game at Muir.

Mark McCauley scored all of his 12 points on three-point baskets and Brian Ostro also had 12 points for Crescenta Valley (15-7, 2-4).

St. Bonaventure 66, Bishop Diego 58--Michael Spargo scored 18 points on six three-point baskets for the Seraphs (15-5, 3-2) in a Tri-Valley League victory at St. Bonaventure.