Sophomore Jerico Richardson came through with the biggest shot of his career thus far when he made a driving layup with 6.7 seconds remaining to lead Alemany of Mission Hills to a 64-63 victory against Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks in a crucial Mission League game.

Richardson took the ball out of bounds underneath the basket, received the ball back, blew past three defenders and scored with his right hand helping the Warriors (11-15, 7-6) remain in third place behind Harvard-Westlake of North Hollywood and Loyola of Los Angeles and come closer to wrapping up an automatic playoff spot with one game left on Wednesday.

"Coach (Tray Meeks) told me to not waste any time, try and score or score and draw a foul," Richardson said. "I was going to pass it to (Andrew) English but I saw his guy fall back so I took it up myself."

Richardson's basket ended an exciting game that saw Notre Dame battle back from a 15-point deficit in the first half and a seven point deficit in the fourth quarter.

Jordan Fuller and Max Guercy scored 16 and 13 points while Richardson and English both had nine.

Freshman Jahmel Taylor scored 17 points to lead the Knights (14-12, 6-7) and Jeremy Sulker-Hall had 11.

Taylor had a chance to win it at the buzzer but a long range 3-point attempt was partially blocked.

Taylor scored 14 points in the second half and finally gave the Knights their first lead of the game with 3:06 remaining on two free throws.

Notre Dame did it's part battling back and making all eight of it's free throws in the fourth quarter but came up short thanks to Richardson.

The final 3:06 featured two ties and five lead changes as neither team could create distance.

After a slow start to the season against good competition, Alemany is the hottest team in Div. IV-A.

The Warriors have won four games in a row and are looking for more.

"We have a goal to win our last five games before playoffs and we need to win one more," Richardson said. "We are starting to bond and trust one another."

The Taft of Woodland Hills boys basketball team knew it would have it's hands full Saturday at the Mater Dei of Santa Ana Nike Extravaganza playing USA Today No. 5 St. Patrick of Elizabeth, New Jersey in the featured game of the two-day event.

The Toreadors battled and battled, came back from two different nine point deficits in the first half but ultimately came up short in a 91-64 loss.

Taft was mainly undone by two players, Duke-bound Kyrie Irving and 6'8 junior forward Michael Gilchrist.

Irving had 24 points and nine assists, including 14 points in the first quarter and nine in a row after a 14-14.

Gilchrist was unstoppable down low scoring 22 points and had 13 rebounds, including 11 points in the third quarter.

"We faced a team that did all the little things right," Taft's Bryce Jones said. "We started out hot but just couldn't keep up."

The third quarter was when the game got out of hand and people started heading for the parking lot.

Taft closed to with in 42-38 early in the period but St. Patrick went on a 25-8 run highlighted by a 3-pointer from Irving, a three point play by Irving and three baskets and five of six free throws from Gilchrist.

"Those two guys were just real good," Jones said. "They capitalized on our mistakes and we didn't get any stops."

The USC-bound Jones scored 19 points to lead Taft but scoring came few and far between for the Toreadors in the second half.

Texas-bound junior forward De'Andre Daniels was hampered by foul trouble and only scored nine points with four rebounds

After Daniels picked up his fourth foul midway through the third quarter, Gilchrist had his way, Jarrel Lane scored on a layup and Derrick Gordon had two easy baskets.

"De'Andre getting his fourth foul was the turning point," Taft coach Derrick Taylor said. "The whole game though felt like we were trying to prevent from drowning. We were always playing catch-up."

Taft stayed close behind five 3-point baskets in the first half but St. Patrick made five of it's own through three quarters and then made five more in the fourth quarter during garbage time.

"They were just another level of good," Taylor said. "We play these type of games to try to get to the next level."

The L.A. City Section has released its inaugural Hall of Fame class consisting of 55 names, including several prominent Valley area athletes.

Here is the list:

AQUATICS

Sammy Lee, Franklin

Esther Williams, Washington

BASEBALL

Ozzie Smith, Locke

Bret Saberhagen, Cleveland

BASKETBALL

Gail Goodrich, Poly

Marques Johnson, Crenshaw

Willie Naulls, San Pedro

Cynthia Cooper, Locke

GYMNASTICS

Makoto Sakamoto, Los Angeles

Jack Beckner, Franklin

FOOTBALL

John Elway, Granada Hills

Mike Garrett, Roosevelt

Hugh McElhenny, Washington

GOLF

Amy Alcott, Palisades

SOCCER

Hugo Perez, Los Angeles

SOFTBALL

Sheila Cornell-Douty, Taft

TENNIS

Pat Henry Yeomans, Los Angeles

Pauline Betz Addie, Los Angeles

Bob Falkenburg, Fairfax

TRACK AND FIELD

Mal Whitfield, Jefferson

Mel Patton, University

Valerie Brisco-Hooks, Locke

Denean Howard, Kennedy

VOLLEYBALL

Gene Selznick, Manual Arts

Mary Perry, Birmingham

WRESTLING

Jack Fernandez, Los Angeles

COACHES

Willie West, Crenshaw

Gayle Van Meter, Palisades

Tex Winter, Huntington Park

Sparky Anderson, Dorsey

Deceased honorees

BASKETBALL

Alex Hannum, Hamilton

Frank Lubin, Lincoln

BASEBALL

Don Drysdale, Van Nuys

DIVING

Dorothy Poynton Hill, Fairfax

FOOTBALL

Ernie Smith, Gardena

Kenny Washington, Lincoln

Bob Waterfield, Van Nuys

Ricky Bell, Fremont

Jack Kemp, Fairfax

Tom Fears, Manual Arts

GYMNASTICS

Dick Bishop, Poly

TENNIS

Mary Kay Browne, Poly

TRACK AND FIELD

Cornelius Johnson, Los Angeles

Lillian Copeland, Los Angeles

Lee Barnes,Hollywood

COACHES

Jim Blewett, Manual Arts

Harry Edelson, Jefferson

Rod Dedeaux, Hollywood

Larry Hanson, Jefferson

Les Haserot, Hollywood

CONTRIBUTOR

Tom Bradley, Poly

Charles Dumas, Jefferson

John Ferraro, Bell

Bill Schroeder, Hollywood

Emmitt Ashford, Jefferson

The Oak Park boys basketball had one thing on its mind going into a crucial Tri-Valley League game with undefeated league leader Oaks Christian of Westlake Village on Friday.

Revenge.

The Eagles got what they wanted in a 64-48 victory that gives them a share of first place with one game remaining on Wednesday.
Oak Park was steaming after a 66-60 overtime loss at Oaks Christian on Jan. 20.

Austin Ramljak scored 25 points, including four 3-pointers and made seven of eight free throws in the fourth quarter to lead Oak Park.

"Obviously it was a huge game for us, we just concentrated on what we had to do and we had been practicing for this game every day since we lost to them."

Ramljak scored eight points in the first quarter, including a buzzer beating 3-pointer to give Oak Park momentum.

He came back to score eight more in the third quarter on two more 3-pointers and a lay-up and finished the game by calmly hitting his free throws as the Lions (16-8, 8-1) tried to come back.

"I was just catching passes from my teammates in rhythm after we broke the press," Ramljak said.

The Eagles (17-8, 8-1) took a nine-point lead at the end of the third quarter when Tanner Byers made an off-balance turnaround jumper at the buzzer for a 41-32 advantage that seemed like it would be enough.

However, Oaks Christian scored three quick baskets by Dillon van der Wal, Blair Holliday and Spencer Kier to get right back in the game.

Oak Park would not let the Lions get closer thanks to a 3-point play from freshman Ron Lee, Jr., another basket from Lee, Jr., two free throws from Ramljak and a basket from Cameron Stevens.

Oak Park led 52-40 with 4:00 to play and proceeded to make 13 of 16 free throws in the final quarter.

Every time Oaks Christian would make a run, Oak Park would turn the Lions back.

"Our coaches told us to be patient and get good shots," Ramljak said. "We also came up with some key stops on defense and didn't turn the ball over like we did last time against them."

Lee, Jr. finished with 15 points and displayed poise and savvy rarely seen from a freshman playing point guard.

"He has really matured a lot," Ramljak said. "He wasn't flustered at all, the key was very few turnovers."

Holliday had 18 points to lead Oaks Christian. Kier and sophomore Chass Bryan added nine and seven respectively.

Dan Ross scored all six of his points during the second quarter when Oaks Christian battled back from an 18-10 deficit to go into halftime only trailing 25-24.

Oaks Christian was hurt by the fact 6'8 big men van der wal and Stephen Saksa combined for only two points not taking advantage of a big size disparity against the undersized Eagles.

VALENCIA - There's no place like home for the Valencia High Vikings.

The team has struggled on the road this basketball season, including two consecutive Foothill League losses last month, but the boys are perfect in their gym after defeating Golden Valley 65-59 tonight for their fifth home win without a loss before a near-capacity crowd of about 1,500.

Dating back to the 2006-2007 season, Valencia has won its last seven home games and 21 of 24.

Valencia proved a much different team than the one that lost at Golden Valley by seven points on Jan. 19, as Lonnie Jackson scored 25 points after totaling just 12 in the first meeting.

Jackson, a 6-foot-3 junior, was 9 of 18 from the floor, including three 3-pointers, and he added five steals and three assists.

"Last time, I thought I let my team down, so I've spent the past two weeks getting ready for this one," Jackson said. "I came through tonight, and my teammates came through, too. It feels great, but we haven't done anything yet. There are two more games, and we have to get ready for Canyon on Tuesday.

Heading into the final week of the regular season, Valencia (19-4, 6-2), Golden Valley (20-5, 6-2) and Canyon (16-7, 5-2xxxxx) all have a good shot to win the league title.

Valencia's win Friday might be its biggest victory so far, and the Vikings have to be a favorite because the final two games are in their own gym.

"We came out ready and were a lot more poised tonight," Valencia's Stevie Sansone said. "We played hard, and Lonnie was awesome. The crowd kept trying to get into his head, but he was so focused. He stepped up big-time tonight."

The victory snapped defending league champion Golden Valley's winning streak at seven games, as the Grizzlies were limited to 22 points in the second half.

Golden Valley's top player, Trevor Wiseman, was so upset that he refused comment.
Wiseman, a 6-foot-8 senior, scored 20 points, but it was not his best game. He was 7 of 16 from the floor with three assists and three turnovers, and he was held scoreless over the final six minutes, as a large contingent of Valencia students constantly razzed him.

With just over a minute remaining and Golden Valley trailing by three points, Wiseman was called for a traveling violation. Valencia's Aaron Spargo then missed the front end of a one-and-one, but Jackson hustled to grab the offensive rebound, and Jake Kelfer followed a few moments later with a 3-pointer to put the contest out of reach.

Tanner Tredick added 10 points for Valencia, Sansone scored eight, and Kelfer and Brandon Bennett both chipped in seven.

Taylor Statham scored 11 points for Golden Valley, and Robert Looper added 10.

-- Gerry Gittelson

BOX SCORE:

Valencia 65, Golden Valley 59

Golden Valley 17-20-11-11-59
Valencia 12-25-14-14-65
V: Lonnie Jackson 25 and five steals, Stevie Sansone 8, Brandon Bennett 7, Davis 4, Kelfer 7, Tredick 10, Spargo 2, Sommer 2.
GV: Trevor Wiseman 20; Price 6, Jeff Darko), Statham 11, Looper 10, Hale 5, Darko 4, Serrano 2, Chaisson 1.

R: V 19-4, 6-2; GV 20-5, 6-2

It figured to be close game tonight between Golden Valley and host Valencia in a key Foothill League game, and that's what we're seeing.

In an exciting first half, the teams are tied 37-37, as Valencia closed strongly by erasing a six-point deficit over the final four minutes of the second quarter.

Valencia's Lonnie Jackson is being double-teamed as usual, but this time he is getting his points. The 6-foot-3 junior has 13 points and three assists, and he has made 5 of 11 shots, including three 3-pointers.

Meantime, Golden Valley's star player, Trevor Wiseman, has yet to heat up. He has played limited minutes, and he has scored nine points with assists, connecting on 5 of 9 shots, including one 3-pointer.

-- Gerry Gittelson

The Oaks Christian of Westlake Village girls basketball team won its third Tri-Valley League game this week in a 73-27 victory against Nordhoff of Ojai in a rare Friday afternoon contest.

The Lions (20-4, 10-0) used a 25-0 run at the outset of the third quarter to put the game away.

Oaks Christian was up 36-23 at halftime.

Freshman Meghan McIntyre scored 19 points to lead four Lions players in double figures.

Katie Brooks, in her second game back from a three week ankle injury nearly had a triple double with eight points, 13 rebounds and seven blocks, including five in the first quarter.

Sophomore Brianna Barrett contributed 15 points, six assists and three steals and freshman Beth Mounier had a double-double (points and rebounds).

Oaks Christian has two games remaining next week looking to wrap up its second consecutive undefeated league season.

The Lions have won 25 consecutive league games dating back to a Jan. 29, 2008 loss against St. Bonaventure of Ventura.

The Tigers easily handled Panorama in City Wrestling and won 83-0 to move to 4-0 in league.

Senior forward Katie Brooks sure picked the right time to come back to the Oaks Christian of Westlake Village girls basketball team after nursing an ankle injury for two weeks.

With it's undefeated record in the Tri-Valley League on the line Brooks scored 20 points, grabbed eight rebounds, had two blocks and more importantly showed no ill effects of the bothersome ankle to lead Oaks Christian to a 62-48 victory against host Oak Park.

"I really wanted to play tonight and help my team because Oak Park is obviously our toughest competition," Brooks said.

The Lions (19-4, 9-0) got off to a hot start scoring the first eight points of the game and did a good job neutralizing post player Lauren Varney.

Brooks defended Varney with help from perimeter players coming down to double team evey time she touched the ball.

"I didn't get to finish the game the last time against Oak Park and I wanted to help guard Lauren to help us stay on top in league."

Oaks Christian took a 16-8 lead before Kelsey Haines and Erin Matsumoto each made 3-pointers in the second quarter to help Oak Park tie the game at 19-19.

That would be the closest Oak Park (14-10, 9-2) would get.

The Lions extended a four-point halftime lead with a backbreaking 18-5 third quarter run set up by a suffocating 1-2-1-1 press.

Brooks, freshman Beth Mounier, sophomore Brianna Barrett and junior Crystal Owusu all had baskets during the run and all of a sudden the Lions were ahead 44-28.

Oak Park was so frustrated with the press and the officials that Kelsey Haines and coach Rob Hall were both whisteled for technicals adding to Oaks Christian's fire.

"Our intensity was great from the start," Brooks said. "Everybody was playing with energy and we wouldn't let up."

Owusu had 12 points, Barrett had 11 points and five steals and Mounier had eight points.

Varney finished with 17 points to lead the Eagles but was swarmed all night and was six of 17 from the field fighting off two and sometimes three defenders.

Brett Hall had 12 points, Matsumoto had eight and Lindsey Courtney made two 3-pointers for Oak Paek.

Oaks Christian had an advantage at the free throw line making 16 of 29 while Oak Park was 13 of 17.

Oaks Christian now has won 24 consecutive league games dating to Jan. 29, 2008 when it suffered a 49-40 loss against St. Bonaventure of Ventura.

The Lions can't rest with a 4:30 p.m. game today against Nordhoff of Ojai.

Oaks Christian coach Andre Chevalier may have summed up the night the best way.

"It was a great win for us because it was Oak Park, we got Katie back into the mix, we played with energy and passion and we played overall like Oaks Christian can play."

Michael Pattison of Granada Hills (#17) scoring a goal in the first half of Wednesday's 2-2 West Valley League draw with El Camino Real.

Photo by Dawn Pattison