Normalcy could be returning to Metropolis Part basketball, since 14-time Metropolis champion Westchester (16-9, 9-0) is again on high as the favourite to win the Open Division championship.
The Comets took a giant step towards locking up the Western League title Friday with a 59-34 win over visiting Palisades. Westchester has a two-game lead over the Dolphins (17-9, 8-2) with three to play.
Tajh Ariza contributed 22 factors, together with an 11-point barrage within the third quarter when the Comets turned a nine-point halftime lead right into a 21-point margin.
“Positively, we’re getting higher,” coach Dewitt Cotton stated. “By playoff time, we’ll be able to go.”
The Metropolis Part, which prolonged its season by every week to accommodate video games rescheduled due to wildfires, received’t produce playoff pairings till Feb. 16.
Fairfax 57, Hamilton 43: Muhammad Singleton had 15 factors for Fairfax.
Cleveland 58, Birmingham 49: The Cavaliers arrange a showdown with Chatsworth on Monday at 5 p.m. to determine the West Valley League title. Kamari King scored 19 factors, Cayden Kelly had 16 factors and Serigne Deme had 10 factors and 10 rebounds. Mandell Anthony led Birmingham with 16 factors.
Chatsworth 78, Taft 36: Tekeio Phillips had 14 factors for the Chancellors.
Solar Valley Poly 70, Grant 53: The Parrots (8-0) moved to a two-game lead within the East Valley League with 4 to play below second-year coach Joe Wyatt.
Ladies’ basketball
Sylmar 84, Panorama 36: Isabella Gonzalez of Sylmar completed with 48 factors.