Nick Young didn't want to go out like this, but at least it wason 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 thisseason until he was granted another year of eligibility just beforeit started, did all he could to lead Cleveland of Reseda to itsfirst City Section final appearance in 18 years. But he couldn'tfind his outside shot Friday night in a 73-64 semifinal loss toFairfax at Loyola Marymount.
Cleveland's loss ended hopes for the first all-San FernandoValley City basketball final ever, as Fairfax advances to play Taftof Woodland Hills for the title next Saturday at the Sports Arena.
'It was just one of those nights,' Young said. 'We couldn't hitanything from outside and they were hitting almost all their shots.If we were on top of our game, it would have been a differentstory.'
Young, who has committed to play at USC next season, won hisindividual battle with UCLA-bound Josh Shipp 28-25. But both wereoutshined by Fairfax junior center Jamal Boykin.
Boykin scored a game-high 29 points, hitting shots from all overthe court - including a career-high four 3-pointers.
'I've really been trying to work on my perimeter game latelybecause I've been told that I'm not going to grow anymore and I'llprobably be a small forward at the next level,' said the 6-foot-7Boykin, who made his four 3-pointers on five attempts. 'After I gotthe first one, I just felt like the next one would go in too.'
Boykin scored 11 of his points in the first quarter, givingFairfax 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 pickedup the defensive intensity in the second quarter, led by DeandreMiles and Andre Bright. The Cavaliers forced Fairfax intoconsecutive turnovers and went on a 10-0 run.
Cleveland had a chance to tie the game at 33 but Jason Hillmissed the second of two free throws. He got to the line again withthe chance to tie it but missed the front end. Cleveland never ledin the game.
The Cavaliers made one last run in the fourth quarter, cuttingthe deficit to seven on a Matt Harrison jumper and two free throwsfrom Young. Cleveland then got out on a fast break but Young didn'tsee the incoming alley-oop pass until it was too late.
Two minutes later, Boykin found Shipp for an alley-oop dunk thatput Fairfax (23-4) up by 11 and put an exclamation point on thegame.
'Every time we made a run, we'd get a rebound and they'd knock itout of our hands or they'd hit a big shot,' Cleveland coach AndreChevalier said.
Young is in his fifth year of high school but did not have enoughcredits to graduate last year because of problems early in highschool, including the death of his brother.
But he had played only two years of sports, and petitioned foranother. He was granted it over the summer on his third appeal.
Cleveland wanted another chance at Taft, which tied the Cavaliersfor the West Valley League title.
'That could have been great,' Young said. 'But I wish (Taftguard) Jordan (Farmar) the best. At least one Valley team can stillcome out on top.'
Matthew Kredell, (818)713-3607
matthew.kredell(at)dailynews.com
