HS HOOPS: It's a final: Taft 77, Fremont 51
It wasn’t slick and pretty like a lot of Taft High’s basketball victories this season, but the Toreadors of Woodland Hills will take their 77-51 victory Friday over Fremont of Los Angeles in the City Section quarterfinals before a crowd of about 3,000 at the Galen Center at USC.
“It took a little longer this time,” Taft’s Justin Hawkins said. “I think on a big stage, it just takes a while to get your depth perception. But we always expected to get to a final from the beginning of the season. So we took care of business and won the game.”
Taft (24-3) faces defending champion Fairfax of Los Angeles (25-4) in the championship game March 1 the Sports Arena.
Eugene Phelps scored 27 points (11 of 12 from floor) with 12 rebounds and four blocked shots. Hawkins added 21 points (three 3-pointers), and Larry Drew scored 11 points with 15 assists and seven rebounds. Drew’s 15 assists surpassed Fremont’s team total of 14.
Once Taft found its confidence, the Toreadors looked like their usual selves, winning their 10th in a row – all by 26 points or more.
“We came out a little slow, and the Coach (Derrick Taylor) dogged us about it at halftime,” Taft’s Terran Carter said. “It’s great to be going to a final. I think we can beat anyone if we play our game.”
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com