Fairfax Gets Past Cleveland, 72-55 : Lions Live Up to Rating in Chaminade Tournament Final

Judging by past history, Cleveland High’s 72-55 loss to Fairfax in Tuesday night’s championship game of the Chaminade tournament may be a blessing.

The Cavaliers lost to Fairfax in the tournament final last season and then went on to beat the Lions during Valley League play.

Cleveland, ranked No. 1 in the Times Valley poll, will have a quick chance to avenge the loss. The Cavaliers will meet Fairfax in a league game Wednesday at Cleveland.

“I would be happy to take the one on Wednesday, when it counts, over this one,” Cleveland Coach Bob Braswell said.

Repeating history may be a little tougher this time around. Just asked Fairfax’s Chris Mills.

“Last year when they beat us, we had some injuries,” said Mills. “Not this year. I’d be very surprised if they beat us. They have that fear in their hearts that they are going to have to stop us, all of us.”

Fairfax, ranked No. 1 in both the City and Cal-Hi Sports state polls and No. 3 in the nation by USA Today, is not your average team.

The Lions (11-0) have a trio of large weapons which look like they belong in hangars.

Sean Higgins, a 6-7 senior who has committed to UCLA, was on almost everybody’s list of preseason All-Americans. Against Cleveland, he scored 18 points in the second half and finished with 24 points, 8 rebounds and all-tournament honors.

Mills, a 6-7 junior, scored 30 points and had 16 rebounds to earn the tournament’s most valuable player award.

Toss in 6-6 senior J.D. Green (10 points, all-tournament) who will play for SMU next season and Fairfax Coach Harvey Kitani has three guys who could post up the Statue of Liberty.

The Cavaliers tallest player is 6-4 Richard Branham. Cleveland’s big man last season, Trevor Wilson, who is now at UCLA. is no longer in the middle of the key to help. On Wednesday, he was just a helpless fan in the capacity crowd.

But height was only one of Cleveland’s problems. The Cavaliers (8-1) made only 7 of 19 shots from the free throw line, including one of their last six in the first half when they fell behind, 31-18

Albert Fann came off the bench to lead Cleveland with 13 points. Fann believes that things may be a little different on Wednesday.

“We just didn’t play our game tonight.” he said. “The free throws killed us. It’s not going to happen on Wednesday. When we play them again, we’re going to come out smokin’ .”

In other games, Riordan of San Francisco was extended by Chatsworth before winning the third-place game, 56-50. Verbum Dei beat Calabasas 89-75 for fifth place and Crossroads beat Antelope Valley 63-47 in the consolation championship.