Boys’ basketball: Narbonne pulls out double overtime win over Taft

It was a matchup of top City Section basketball teams in a game that had playoff implications and was played with playoff-like intensity.

Narbonne fell behind by 14 points to Taft. Kihei Clark of Taft had 16 points in the first quarter alone.

Then the Gauchos turned to football standout Dominic Peterson, whose physical, aggressive defense against Taft’s 6-foot-8 Antwan January turned the game around. In the end, Narbonne pulled out a 61-58 win in double overtime in the Huntington Park tournament at Cathedral.

By winning, Narbonne (13-4) helped its seeding for the upcoming City Section Open Division playoffs. For Taft (12-5), it was a lost opportunity. The Toreadors have come close against some good teams this season, only to fall short. By season end, they figure to be one of the five best in the Open Division.

Clark finished with 22 points. January was limited to a single basket and made free throw in the first overtime thanks to stellar defense by the 6-foot, 260-pound Peterson.

Jeremiah Galang hit two threes in the first overtime for Narbonne. Kendal Frey hit some clutch shots for the Gauchos.

Taft failed three times to make the last shot. January missed a lob layup at the end of regulation, and the Toreadors missed outside shots at the end of the first OT and second OT.

Peterson, the top defensive player in the City Section, had quite a day. Sacramento State offered him a football scholarship.

“He’s just a tough kid,” Coach Anthony Hilliard said.

In other games, Crenshaw defeated Price, 56-53. Ethan Anderson scored 31 points and Jamal Hartwell 22 to help Fairfax defeat Bell-Jeff, 89-51. Cathedral defeated Sylmar, 70-68. Rolling Hills Prep defeated Lincoln, 85-29. Chris Koon had 25 points.

University won the Kennedy tournament and stayed unbeaten with a 74-67 victory. Gabe Okmin scored 24 points and Daisone Hughes 23.

In a Heritage League game, Valley Torah defeated Faith Baptist, 69-45. Max Leibowitz scored 27 points and Ryan Turell added 21 points and 15 rebounds.

Valley Christian upset Heritage Christian, 75-68.

Van Nuys defeated Grant, 72-62. Tyree Winborn scored 25 points. Davis Williams led Grant with 16 points.

Flintridge Prep defeated Rio Hondo Prep, 59-34. Jake Althouse finished with 20 points.

For the latest on high school sports, follow @LATSondheimer on Twitter