High School Boys Basketball: Slow start costly for La Mirada

La Mirada’s Tyler Payne tries to get around Compton’s Evian Harris during Wednesday’s playoff game. (Steve McCrank / Staff Photographer)

By David Felton, Staff Writer

COMPTON – The intrigue quickly was taken out of Wednesday’s first-round playoff game between Compton High and visiting La Mirada.

The Tarbabes sank three 3-pointer in the first quarter of their CIF-SS Division 3AAA contest, then got their transition game going as well in a 74-50 triumph.

Junior Iziahiah Sweeney scored 19 points, including 14 in the first half, and Isaiah Bailey added 14 points as Compton improved its record to 18-10.

“We wanted to get out to a little lead and put some pressure on them,” Compton coach Tony Thomas said. “And the 3-pointers made them come out further (defensively) and we were able to run then.”

The Tarbabes, runners-up in the Moore League, sank a pair of 3-pointers in the opening minutes, including one by Kyron Cartwright for an early 4-2 lead and another from Bailey one possession later.

A steal and dunk by Sweeney put Compton ahead 11-2 four minutes into the game, and the 6-foot-5 forward added his own 3-pointer 30 seconds later for a 14-2 advantage.

“Their athleticism is something we can’t simulate or practice against or match up against,” La Mirada coach Bryce Jones said. “They hit some jump shots early on and if they were hitting jump shots, that was it.”

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