Granada Hills Stumbles in Opener

Playing its first game as a 4-A team in 6 seasons, and with all 5 starters back from last year’s team, Granada Hills High figured to get off to a quick start this basketball season. But Tuesday afternoon, the Highlanders stumbled out of the gate, falling to North Hollywood, a 3-A team, 73-67, in the season opener for both schools at Granada Hills.

North Hollywood’s Dana Jones led all scorers with 20 points to go with 16 rebounds and blocked 6 shots. But Jones scored only 2 points in the second half as Granada Hills double- and triple-teamed him, forcing North Hollywood into a perimeter attack.

The Huskies led at halftime, 43-41, and the game remained close until Alvin Brown, the Highlanders’ 6-4, 235-pound center, fouled out with 2:23 remaining.

“Alvin is probably the most important player we have and we rely on him,” Granada Hills Coach Bob Johnson said. “He has deceptively quick hands and he can steal the ball.”

In fact, Brown’s fifth foul came on a steal attempt with the Highlanders ahead, 67-66. Shortly after, North Hollywood took the lead on a pair of free throws by Dwayne Braxton, then spread its offense, forcing Granada Hills to foul. The strategy backfired, though, as Tommy Byrdsong made 2 free throws, and when Granada Hills missed a rushed layup attempt that would have closed the deficit to a point, Jones grabbed the rebound and got the ball to Harry Marks, who scored to seal the outcome.

Johnson hoped for a better start. “We have not yet played to our potential,” he said. “We just were not there right now.”