Knight looking for some tourney redemption

By Austin KnoblauchSenior Editor, Sports

Dec. 18, 2007 1:52 PM PT

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The defending Golden League co-champion Knight boys’ basketball team suffered three consecutive losses in last week’s extremely tough Oceanview tournament, but you know the Hawks are going to put up a much more competitive showing in this week’s San Fernando Valley Invitational.

In fact, Knight is my favorite to win the Granada Hills regional of the 32-team tourney and it’s going to do it behind the stellar play of Paul George. Heading into this week’s tournament, the Pepperdine-bound 6-foot-8 senior is averaging just under 21 points a game and more than 12 rpg. Teammate Kyree Jackson has also played a big role in the Hawks’ 5-3 start, averaging 20 ppg.

Knight cruised to a 68-45 victory over Sun Valley Poly in Monday’s opener, but tonight’s game against host Granada Hills at 7:30 won’t be as easy. The Highlanders put up a very good showing against Harvard-Westlake earlier this season and could pull off an upset if George and Jackson don’t make their usual contributions. But I wouldn’t count on that.

-- Austin Knoblauch

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Austin Knoblauch

Austin Knoblauch is a senior editor in Sports at the Los Angeles Times, overseeing NFL coverage and digital initiatives. He previously worked as an editor and writer at NFL.com. He initially joined The Times in 2005, serving in various web editing and reporting roles. Knoblauch’s favorite sports are football, hockey and auto racing. He is a native of Southern California and graduated from Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles.