Byline: Matthew Kredell Staff Writer
Nick Young didn't want to go out like this, but at least it was on the court with the ball - and the outcome - in his hands.
Young, who didn't know if he was going to be able to play this season until he was granted another year of eligibility just before it started, did all he could to lead Cleveland of Reseda to its first City Section final appearance in 18 years. But he couldn't find his outside shot Friday night in a 73-64 semifinal loss to Fairfax at Loyola Marymount.
Cleveland's loss ended hopes for the first all-San Fernando Valley City basketball final ever, as Fairfax advances to play Taft of Woodland Hills for the title next Saturday at the Sports Arena.
``It was just one of those nights,'' Young said. ``We couldn't hit anything from outside and they were hitting almost all their shots. If we were on top of our game, it would have been a different story.''
Young, who has committed to play at USC next season, won his individual battle with UCLA-bound Josh Shipp 28-25. But both were outshined by Fairfax junior center Jamal Boykin.
Boykin scored a game-high 29 points, hitting shots from all over the court - including a career-high four 3-pointers.
``I've really been trying to work on my perimeter game lately because I've been told that I'm not going to grow anymore and I'll probably be a small forward at the next level,'' said the 6-foot-7 Boykin, who made his four 3-pointers on five attempts. ``After I got the first one, I just felt like the next one would go in too.''
Boykin scored 11 of his points in the first quarter, giving Fairfax a 22-12 lead with his first 3-pointer of the game.
Cleveland (25-4) trailed 24-19 at the end of the first but picked up the defensive intensity in the second quarter, led by Deandre Miles and Andre Bright. The Cavaliers forced Fairfax into consecutive turnovers and went on a 10-0 run.
Cleveland had a chance to tie the game at 33 but Jason Hill missed the second of two free throws. He got to the line again with the chance to tie it but missed the front end. Cleveland never led in the game.
The Cavaliers made one last run in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to seven on a Matt Harrison jumper and two free throws from Young. Cleveland then got out on a fast break but Young didn't see the incoming alley-oop pass until it was too late.
Two minutes later, Boykin found Shipp for an alley-oop dunk that put Fairfax (23-4) up by 11 and put an exclamation point on the game.
``Every time we made a run, we'd get a rebound and they'd knock it out of our hands or they'd hit a big shot,'' Cleveland coach Andre Chevalier said.
Young is in his fifth year of high school but did not have enough credits to graduate last year because of problems early in high school, including the death of his brother.
But he had played only two years of sports, and petitioned for another. He was granted it over the summer on his third appeal.
Cleveland wanted another chance at Taft, which tied the Cavaliers for the West Valley League title.
``That could have been great,'' Young said. ``But I wish (Taft guard) Jordan (Farmar) the best. At least one Valley team can still come out on top.''
Matthew Kredell, (818)713-3607
matthew.kredell(at)dailynews.com
