Grant Turns Up Heat on North Hollywood

The temperature outside the Grant High gym on Wednesday was close to 90 degrees, but the temperature inside was about 120 with the drama factor.

Grant beat North Hollywood, 56-51, in double overtime to take sole possession of first place in the Valley Pac-8 Conference East Valley League.

The smaller, seemingly less talented Lancers defeated the preseason league favorite for the first time in three seasons.

Lesser-known Ronald Patterson, who averages 23.8 points a game, got the best of Stanford-bound Arthur Lee (23.3 points a game) in a faceoff between two of the Valley’s top scorers.

“It feels wonderful,” said Patterson, who scored 17 points and made four free throws in the final 38 seconds. “But now I feel the pain.”

With the score tied, 49-49, and 90 seconds gone in the second overtime, Patterson and Lee (26 points) collided head-on while diving for a loose ball. Both players left the game momentarily. Patterson suffered a deep cut to the left eye lid and was taken to the hospital for stitches after the game.

“Patterson played a great game,” Lee said. “But we’ve got them next time at our place. We’ll be ready.”

Grant (14-6, 6-1) didn’t appear to be ready for this one. The Lancers missed their first eight shots, committed three turnovers, saw forward Larry Stewart leave the game with three fouls in under three minutes and watched Lee score a quick seven points to help the Huskies (12-8, 5-2) to a 9-1 lead.

But Patterson and his brother, Donald, who had 15 points and nine rebounds, helped Grant on a 14-5 run. Ronald made two three-point shots during the spree that resulted in a 15-15 tie. After that, the score was tied nine times, and there were 14 lead changes.

Lee, trying to rally his team, missed three shots in the final 37 seconds after Grant’s Taj Rollins broke the 49-49 tie by making three of four free throws.