Cleveland Surges Into Semifinals

Cleveland High took the fast lane to the Sports Arena by running down El Camino Real, 94-57, Wednesday night in a City Section 4-A quarterfinal game at Cleveland.

Seven junior-varsity players--including several freshmen--were on the floor the last few minutes, flailing away in front of family and friends. Look Ma, I’m getting varsity tim e !

In the ‘Loffs at the ‘Land, no less.

Junior-varsity players often are promoted to varsity for the playoffs. Rarely, however, do they do more than toss towels to starters during timeouts.

Cleveland probably could have substituted JVs anytime after the first quarter and won. The Cavaliers accelerated quickly, taking a 30-12 lead after one period by forcing eight ECR turnovers. Cleveland finished with 17 steals and forced 27 turnovers.

“Nobody could bring the ball up the floor,” ECR Coach Mike McNulty said, shaking his head. “Way, way, too many turnovers.”

ECR upset San Pedro, 79-78, last Friday to earn a berth in the quarterfinals. San Pedro, champion of the Marine League, was seeded higher than Cleveland (19-3), the second-place team from the Valley League. ECR (8-14) was fifth in the Valley League and had lost to Cleveland by 47 points last week.

Although many of Cleveland’s baskets came on easy layups after turnovers, one Cavalier distinguished himself as an outside shooter. Michael Gray, who has evolved from a bench warmer to the team’s leading scorer in the past month, had a career-high 28 points. The 6-0 junior guard made 11 of 15 shots and all six of his free throws.

“He’s got the touch right now,” said Cleveland Coach Bob Braswell, who set up plays for Gray to shoot from the baseline at the end of each of the first three quarters.

Gray is averaging 21 points over the past nine games and has been Cleveland’s leading scorer in six straight games.

“The baseline is my favorite spot,” Gray said. “I can sense the confidence Coach Braswell has in me.”

Braswell is pleased the Cavaliers are returning to the Sports Arena for a rematch with Crenshaw on Friday night. Crenshaw (18-4), which beat Fremont, 82-75, Wednesday night, defeated Cleveland in last season’s 4-A final.

“We’re going back to the Arena,” Braswell said. “That’s our goal every year. Crenshaw and us are the only returnees to the final four. I’m pleased.”

Leaving the game with an unpleasant scowl and five fouls was ECR’s Sean Davis, one of the best players in the City. Davis, a senior who averaged 20 points and 14 rebounds this season, had 13 points and a game-high 11 rebounds before fouling out with 2:22 left.

It was a tough way to end a career, but for Davis, fouling out was a more dignified exit than finishing up on a court with inexperienced freshmen.