Preseason basketball roundup: Cleveland opens West Valley League with win over Granada Hills

“Extra pass.”

Cleveland head coach Dagem Asfaw yelled at his players at the end of the first half during a timeout to stop playing selfish basketball and start playing “extra.”

They listened in the second half on Wednesday, and the Cavaliers got going with a 72-47 win over Granada Hills. The first three baskets in the third quarter were three off passes. It’s clear that Cleveland (11-6, 1-0) has the most talented team in the West Valley League, and the only question is whether the players decide to find the open man. When they do, it’s doubtful any team will beat them.

Sophomore Sho Evans finished with 17 points and made four 3-pointers. Serigne Deme had 11 of his 13 points in the first quarter and finished with four dunks. TJ Wansa scored 13 points, all in the second half. Cleveland led by nine points at halftime.

Birmingham 75, Taft 57: Tekeio Phillips scored 19 points and Charles Eleri had 16 for the Patriots (10-4, 1-0) in their West Valley opener.

El Camino Real 55, Chatsworth 53: The Royals won. Aarsh Singh, Aaron Krueger and Chris Rutherford each scored 11 points for Chatsworth.

Fairfax 66, Westchester 64: The Western League rivalry game goes to the Lions. Domonick Bowie Jr. he had 16 points and Chris Stokes 15.

Palisades 87, Hamilton 48: Four Dolphins players hit double figures. Jack Levey and EJ Popoola each had 22 points, Phillip Reed 19 and OJ Popoola 16.

San Pedro 74, Carson 50: Elias Redlew finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the 16-4 Pirates. AJ Bobich added 16 points.

Los Alamitos 57, Newport Harbor 40: Isaiah Williamson contributed 15 points for the Griffins.

Calabasas 64, Oaks Christian 62: The Coyotes handed Oaks Christian their first Marmonte League loss in double overtime. Noah Simon hit a layup at the buzzer of the second overtime for his only point of the night. Tristan Cardoso and Johnny Thyfault each scored 16 points.

Verbum Dei 80, Bosco Tech 64: Sophomore Chase Coleman scored 20 points for Verbum Dei.

Girls basketball

Harvard-Westlake 42, Louisville 23: Valentina Guerrero, who returned from injury, scored 13 points for the Wolverines.

Sierra Canyon 79, Marlborough 31: Jerzy Robinson contributed 29 points and 10 rebounds for Sierra Canyon.

Birmingham 65, Taft 28: Kayla Tanijiri led the Patriots with 15 points and Laecy Wilkins had 14 points.