Boys Basketball: Taft routs Windward 88-57

Teams in the West Valley League better get used to playing the fourth quarter with a running clock in January and February because the Taft of Woodland Hills boys basketball team is simply good enough to be leading by 40 points or more after three quarters.

In what was supposed to be a competitive game against defending state Div. V champion Windward of Los Angeles, Taft turned it into a rout in an 88-57 quarterfinal victory at the Westchester of Los Angeles tournament.

Taft advances to the semifinals tonight against Leuzinger of Lawndale or Washington Prep of Los Angeles at 7 p.m. The host Comets, ranked No. 5 nationally by USA Today face Compton Centennial in the other semifinal at 8:30 p.m.

Texas-bound junior forward De'Andre Daniels scored 28 points and had 12 rebounds to lead the Toreadors, who routed Carson by 47 points on Tuesday.

Daniels was a man among boys tallying 22 points and eight rebounds by halftime. Daniels played sparingly in the second half as Taft would bring in players off the bench that could start at most other schools in California

Daniels keyed a 27-8 run to end the first half, bursting wide-open a tight three point game early in the second quarter.

Daniels scored in the paint, scored facing the basket, scored on several putbacks and made a three point shot for good measure.

Windward simply was outmanned and couldn't guard him or any of the other Toreadors to be precise.

"I just want to get our team going," a humble Daniels said. "My job is to bring energy and intensity."

If Daniels performance wasn't enough, sophomore Landon Drew had 16 points, USC-bound Bryce Jones had 12, Mark Jackson had eight and Pierson Williams and Stephen Maxwell each scored eight points.

Jones had 25 points in the Carson victory and relishes the fact he doesn't have to carry the team night in and night out.

"We have a great team, no doubt about it," Jones said. "It is great to know that somebody will step up always. We know it will happen, the only question is who will it be each night."

Wesley Saunders, a rising junior prospect put in a great effort with 32 points and 11 rebounds to lead Windward.

He didn't have the supporting cast Taft did, however.

No other Windward player scored in double digits.

Taft's only real concern moving forward could be keeping everybody happy for the next four months. Only five players can play at one time.

"Everybody is buying in and playing their roles," Jones said.

Taft coach Derrick Taylor added, "It is always a concern at every level but we drill and talk about team first above anything else. We make sure no one loses sight of the team goal."

If Taft gets by its semfinal contest, the Toreadors will likely face Westchester in the championship game Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Taylor is not taking Leuzinger or Washington Prep lightly but would love a chance to see what his team would do against a national level opponent.

"They have experience, strength and size but I think we have better athletes and skilled players. It would be a fantastic early season game. This is why we come to this tournament, to always play the best. The question for us would be if we can score enough points."

In a second round consolation game, tiny Community Charter of Lake View Terrace came back from a six-point second half deficit to beat Horizon Christian of San Diego, 65-53.

Josh Greene, Lawrence Domingo and Jermaine Dansby scored 22, 15 and 12 points respectively to lead the Titans, who are one of the best kept secrets in the region.

Domingo had 11 rebounds and Dansby added six assists in the come from behind victory.

Community Charter is off its two year probation in January according to coach Les Bean and could be eligible for the City Section playoffs in February.

The Titans would certainly be a Div. III or small-schools contender depending on their placement.