BOYS' BASKETBALL: Village Christian 76, Chatsworth 62

The latest in this weeks public vs. private schools boys' basketball showdowns went to the private school.

Village Christian raced to a 20-point halftime and never looked back in a relatively easy 76-62 nonleague victory against Chatsworth.

El Camino Real defeated Chaminade, 71-44, Monday.

Bryan Alberts and fellow sophomore Marsalis Johnson turned in outstanding performances for the Crusaders, who became the first area team to reach 10 wins.

Alberts poured in 26 points and had six rebounds and three assists.

Johnson nearly had a triple-double with 14 points, 14 rebounds and nine blocks.

"It was a great win," Alberts said. "It was the first time we played a tough public school. Our bench played well. We still can get better."

Village Christian didn't waste anytime against the undersized Chancellors (4-6).

Alberts made two 3-pointers in the first quarter and a late second quarter flurry helped the Crusaders really take control.

Not only was Chatsworth at a disadvantage rebounding, top-player Terrell Funches battled four trouble all night.

Funches picked up his third foul with 7:04 remaining in the second quarter, was whisteled for his fourth foul with 2:00 remaining in the third quarter and finally fouled out with 4:26 remaining in the contest.

Funchess scored 25 points.

"We came out slow, and then had to work really hard just to try and comeback," Funches said. "They killed us on the boards and I got into foul trouble."

Salvador Torres scored 17 points and Montel Shirley added 15 points for Chatsworth, which had only four players record points.

Andrew English chipped in with 11 points and six rebounds for Village Christian, which was playing without starter Marquis Salmon.

Salmon was attending a funeral for a family relative.

Alberts did a nice job taking on a more aggressive approach.

"It is my coaches getting me to be a true leader," Alberts said. "I still can get to another level."

Village Christian has lost only one game this season, a 61-44 setback against Renaissance Academy in the Burbank tournament.

The Crusaders have high hopes for a championship run in Div. V-AA.

They will have to battle St. Bernard of Playa Del Rey, but there hasn't been this much excitement on the Sun Valley campus in quite some time.

"We are just getting ready for the next game," Alberts said. "There are no breaks. We will be back at practice."