Boys’ basketball: After trailing, 15-0, Fairfax rallies to defeat Roosevelt

Down, 15-0, to start the game and down, 18-3, after the first quarter, Fairfax looked like it was going through the motions en route to a loss to Eastvale Roosevelt on Saturday at Fairfax.

Then the Lions’ guards, Ethan Anderson and Jamal Hartwell, got tough on defense, started to connect on offense and it resulted in perhaps the Lions’ best win of the season, a 57-49 triumph over a very good Roosevelt team.

Anderson, a sophomore, finished with 23 points, Hartwell, a junior, had 20 points. But it was their defense that was the most impressive aspect of the game. Anderson guarded Matt Mitchell, who was held to 20 points. Hartwell guarded Jemarl Baker, who missed 13 shots and was held to six points.

“One of the best wins of the season,” Coach Steve Baik said. “We made so many mistakes, so it’s hard to celebrate. Jamal and Ethan just willed us to win.”

Kirk Smith added three baskets in the fourth quarter that saw the game tied at 37, 39, 41, 45 and 48 before the Lions (15-1) pulled away. Their next game will be against rival Westchester on Wednesday at Westchester. They will get back Robert McRae, who has missed the entire season with a broken hand.

In other games at Fairfax, Birmingham received 38 points from Devante Doutrive in a 91-76 win over Dominguez. Mark Boland added 18 points and Deschon Winston had 12 assists. Brenton Woods scored 28 points for Dominguez.

Los Altos defeated Verbum Dei, 124-60. It was a school record for points. Julian Lopez scored 33 points and Cameron Martin had 20. Heritage Christian held off Cantwell-Sacred Heart, 74-70. Juhwan Harris-Dyson scored 23 points and Dillon Depina added 21 points.

Saugus continued its outstanding play with a 69-63 win over Fremont at College of the Canyons. Zach Phipps scored 28 points.

Oak Park defeated Taft, 62-43. Riley Battin had 24 points and Clark Slajchert 22 points.

Brentwood defeated Santa Clarita Christian, 69-44. Braelee Albert scored 28 points and Sam Clareman 19.

In Canada, Rolling Hills Prep defeated Buraby South, 100-48. JT Tan had 35 points and 11 rebounds.

Calabasas defeated Renaissance, 55-41. Jack Roggin scored 18 points.

Crossroads was beaten by Cambridge Rindge and Latin, 46-36. Ira Lee had 14 points.

Etiwanda defeated Saddleback Christian, 68-59.

University defeated Golden Valley, 68-61. Jude Agbasi had 16 points and Daisone Hughes 15.

Jonah Cottrell scored 20 points in Camarillo’s 75-68 win over Campbell Hall. Mike Meadows had 18 points for Campbell Hall.

Simi Valley defeated Nevada Coronado, 89-75. Jacob Grebeta scored 29 points and Kyle Fisher 27.

Troy Biglow scored 25 points in El Camino Real’s 72-65 win over San Gabriel Academy.

Max Leibowitz scored 43 points to help Valley Torah improved to 15-1 with a 67-55 win over Trinity Classical.

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