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HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP : Herrick Dissatisfied With Big Hart Win

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Not many coaches would be discouraged after their team scored 95 points and posted a 21-point victory for its fifth win in seven games.

Hart High Coach Greg Herrick was anything but thrilled, however, after the Indians struggled at times during a 95-74 win over an outmatched Verdugo Hills team Wednesday in the Bosco Tech tournament.

Hart will meet Venice at 8 tonight in the championship quarterfinals.

“We’re winning, but I’m upset because I know what we’re capable of doing,” Herrick said.

Hart (5-2) led by as many as 19 points in the first half behind 17 points from 6-foot-6 senior center Chad Fotheringham.

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But the scrappy Verdugo Hills team pulled within 66-56 on Scott Boudreaux’s free throw with seven minutes left.

Hart fell back on its considerable height advantage and aggressive full-court pressure to outscore Verdugo Hills, 12-2, and extend its lead to 78-58 on Renato Rivas’ layin with 5:01 left.

“We played in spurts,” Herrick said. “We’d play well for a while, then get real sloppy in our execution.”

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But it’s difficult to blame the Indians for lackluster play. After all, when they looked over at Verdugo Hills’ pregame drills, they saw only seven players--and none taller than 6-1.

Hart had a roster full of talent, including three starters taller than 6-4.

“It’s tough to motivate them in that kind of a situation,” Herrick said.

Fotheringham scored a game-high 22 points, Marty Downen scored 19, and Rivas scored 15 of his 17 points in the second half.

Micah Ohlman had 12 points, including three three-point baskets, before fouling out early in the third quarter.

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Kent Purser scored 19 points to lead five Verdugo Hills’ players in double figures. Tuyen Tran and Boudreaux each had 13 and Dan La and Joey Letscher scored 12 apiece.

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