Taft Scores a School-Record 106 Points, Routs Hamilton

Because two of his starters were injured, Hamilton High basketball Coach Dave Uyeshima installed a 2-3 zone against Taft in a Valley League game Wednesday.

Not a wise move against the Toreadors. Guard Kevin Franklin was averaging 29.6 points per game and making 64% of his shots coming into the game. Franklin scored 38 points in each of the team’s last two games, most coming from long-range jump shots.

“Hopefully, we can stop the other guys from scoring,” Uyeshima said before the game.

They didn’t.

Franklin had 31 points, and four of his teammates scored in double figures, as Taft beat Hamilton, 106-40, with a school record for most points in one game.

But Franklin and his teammates scored mainly on fastbreak layups because the Yankees failed to get back on defense in time.

“We don’t play defense very well, that’s all,” Uyeshima said.

“They had a terrible game,” Taft Coach Jim Woodard said. “We didn’t even press. I never saw a team get 106 points without pressing. There was nothing I could do to keep the score down. I can’t tell them not to fast break.”

For Taft (9-3, 1-2 in league), guards Vernon Middleton had 19 points Gerrard Prince 18. Center Brian Smith scored 14 points and forward Anthony Moten added 12.

Point guard Jason Bromberg did not score, but had 16 assists, one short of the school record he set last year.

“He played 32 minutes in that game,” Woodard said. “Tonight he played only 18 minutes.”

Franklin also led the team in rebounding with 15. “When I saw they were in a zone, I knew they’d be shifting to my side and that would open up the offensive rebounding,” he said. “I just wanted to rebound today, the points came off running hard and doing everything to win.”

Hamilton is 1-10, 1-2 in league.

HAMILTON--Jones 4, Green 12, Shambourger 4, Ragland 8, Cherry 4, Madison 8.

TAFT--Kolinsky 8, Franklin 31 (15 rebounds), Smith 14, Bromberg 0 (16 assists), Middleton 19, Roberts 4, Moten 12, Prince 18.