Chatsworth Slips From Soccer Pedestal

The Chatsworth High boys’ soccer team advanced to the City Section quarterfinals last season and to the second round in 1995, but the Chancellors will almost certainly be absent from postseason play next month after dropping to 5-11-2 with a 3-0 loss to Birmingham on Thursday.

The Chancellors are fifth in the Northwest Valley Conference at 2-4-2 and must finish at least in fourth to secure a playoff berth.

“I don’t like to say this about one of my teams, but we’re underachieving,” said Coach Desmond Willows, who delivered an angry halftime speech Thursday. “Our midfield isn’t producing and we’ve let down defensively.”

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Filling it up: When Bell-Jeff’s Ruben Douglas and Kent Dennis combined for 71 points in Wednesday night’s 99-65 victory over St. Genevieve, they both established career highs.

Douglas, a junior who has scored at least 33 points in four consecutive games, had 40 points. His previous high of 36 came earlier this season against Pasadena.

Dennis, a sophomore who averages 15 points, had 31 points--surpassing the 25 he scored against Cathedral last season.

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Standing tall: The Canyon boys’ basketball team is struggling at 8-9, 0-4 in Foothill League play, but where would the Cowboys be without 6-foot-5 center Steve Eernisse? The senior is averaging 24.5 points, third-best in the region, and has made 69% of his shots.

“He’s been humongous for me,” Coach David Humphries said.

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Towing the line: If last Tuesday’s game between Hart and Burbank was an indication, the Foothill League boys’ basketball championship could come down to free throws.

In winning, 61-49, Hart made 18 of 23 foul shots. Coach Mike May credited his team’s 78% accuracy with a recent move back into its own gym. The Indians shared the floor with their junior varsity team in the two years they used the Valencia High facility.

“Now we’ve got all six baskets to use, and it really affected our free-throw shooting,” May said.