WEST HILLS, Ca. – David Rebibo’s Harvard-Westlake boys’ basketball team took a 29-point advantage into the fourth quarter of its Mission League showdown at Chaminade Prep Saturday afternoon.
What then transpired was likely the longest eight minutes of playing time – literally and figuratively – that Rebibo has experience in his coaching career.
The Wolverines, who led by as many as 32 points late in the third quarter, committed 15 turnovers and surrendered 39 points in the frenetic fourth quarter before holding on to topple the Eagles, 92-84.
Harvard-Westlake (7-2) couldn’t have play much more comfortably over the first three quarters while hitting 29 of 47 shots from the field that included 10 from behind the arc.
But the hosts (5-1) ramped up their all-court, K.J. Simpson-anchored defensive pressure, trapping ball-handlers and hawking errant passes immediately in the final quarter and took full advantage of the flood of turnovers to attack back-peddling defenders.
Doing the bulk of the ball-hawking was Simpson (pictured), who had five of his seven steals during the quarter, scoring 16 of his game-high 31 points while dishing for four buckets and snapping down four rebounds in that stretch.
For the game Simpson – who recently “re-opened” his recruiting after signing with the University of Arizona in November – had 10 rebounds and six assists.
Coach Bryan Cantwell’s team might have been able to make an even bigger dent to into seemingly insurmountable deficit – the Eagles were within eight points with roughly a minute to go – had Simpson not missed four free throws in the quarter, including the front end of a 1-and-1 opportunity.
Junior Cameron Thrower scored 10 of his 30’s points in the fourth quarter for the Wolverines while senior center Trumann Gettings scored 15 points (he was perfect on five layup attempts in the first quarter) and had eight rebounds and four assists.
They also got 10 points apiece from sophomore forward Brady Dunlap (a transfer from Hart in his first game after becoming eligible Friday) and freshman guard Trent Perry.
Keith Higgins Jr. added 20 points for Chaminade.
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