Getting into the Groove

Pali High Boys Basketball Starts Fast at Chaminade Tournament

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Winter break hasn’t exactly been a vacation for the Palisades High boys basketball team.

The Dolphins are trying to toughen up for their upcoming Western League schedule with a holiday tournament earlier this week in West Hills and nonleague games next week at Santa Monica and Campbell Hall.

Despite starting the season without several players who figure to have key roles on varsity,  Palisades entered the Chaminade Christmas Classic on Saturday one game below .500 but with the arrow trending up.

Playing without starter Zach  Lynch, the Dolphins opened pool play with a 63-53 victory over Eastside. Leading the charge was senior guard Will Johnson, who had 27 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals. After sitting out the team’s first nine games due to injury, Chris Kurihara added 11 points and freshman Nick Kerkorian continued his steady play with 10 points.

On Monday, Johnson made six three-point baskets in the second quarter and finished with 23 points in Palisades’ 64-33 rout of Granada Hills Kennedy.

Kurihara’s three-pointer gave the Dolphins a quick 8-0 lead and they never looked back, outscoring the Cougars 27-4 in the second quarter to build a commanding 40-9 halftime advantage.

Kerkorian finished with 13 points, Kurihara and Bailey Jones each had eight and Lynch returned to score five points.

“Our goal is to not let up and win every quarter,” Pali High assistant coach Kris Johnson said. “[Head coach] Donzell Hayes and I are pleased with this group in terms of their effort and coachability. Once we get our full team back, we’ll be even better.”

Palisades lost to host Chaminade 60-56 in the semifinals Tuesday. George Brown had 18 points and Johnson added 16 for the Dolphins, who played for third place Wednesday (result unavailable at press time).

The Dolphins hit the road to play crosstown rival Santa Monica next Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and travel to North Hollywood next Friday to take on Campbell Hall, which made the CIF Division IV regional finals last winter.

Palisades opens league Jan. 11 against Westchester, last year’s City Open Division runner-up.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Coach Torino Johnson’s girls squad traveled north to the Bay Area for this week’s West Coast Jamboree to battle some of the top teams in California.

The Dolphins lost to Vanden of Fairfield 56-52 in the first round Monday and lost to Albany Saint Mary’s 65-51 Tuesday. Palisades played Cardinal Newman of Santa Rosa for seventh place on Wednesday.

On Saturday, Palisades travels south to Santa Ana to face Mater Dei  (tipoff at 5:30 p.m.) in a rematch of the Monarchs’ 99-73 victory in the first round of the state playoffs last season. On Monday, Palisades begins the Legacy Tournament.

The defending City Open Division champion Dolphins start Western League play Jan. 11 at Westchester.