Hollywood Central: Sheiks Win League

Ever since the season started way back in early December the boys basketball team has had but one goal: to win the Central League championship.

It took until the last game of the regular season, but that goal was finally reached Friday night with the Sheiks' convincing 59-38 victory over Belmont at Hollywood High. Holding a one-game lead over crosstown rival going into Friday's games, the Sheiks needed to win to capture the title outright.

First-year head coach had his team motivated to finish what it started two months earlier and the Sheiks responded with an inspired effort, particularly by senior . He finished with a game-high 24 points and 13 rebounds and added 11 points and five rebounds.

had nine points and three assists and had seven points, eight rebounds, four steals, two assists and two blocks for Hollywood (11-5 overall, 11-1 in league), which never faltered after losing its rematch with Bernstein Jan. 26. The Sheiks won their last four league games by an average of 20.5 points to earn a berth in the City Section Division I playoffs.

Bernstein, meanwhile, did its part to snatch the crown away from its neighborhood adversary, taking an early lead and holding on for a 45-39 win at Miguel Conteras, which had defeated the Dragons in the schools' previous meeting.

Junior point guard led the way with 15 points, had 11, had nine and added eight for Bernstein (16-8, 10-2), which will have to settle for second place despite winning its last six games and seven of its last eight.

Hollywood's girls squad also wrapped up Central League play with a 61-31 rout of host Belmont. The Sheiks (17-6, 12-0) finished undefeated in league for the first time in head coach 's 11 seasons and he believes his team can make a deep run in the City playoffs.

Bernstein's girls defeated Contreras 44-33 on Friday to avenge a five-point loss in the first round of league play and end the season on a three-game winning streak.