San Fernando Rallies, Beats Birmingham by 17

San Fernando High found its shooting range early in the second half to beat Birmingham, 76-59, Wednesday afternoon at Birmingham. Center Shelton Boykin led the Tigers with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

San Fernando improved its record in the Northwest Valley League to 5-1. The Tigers are in second place behind Granada Hills (7-0). The teams play at Granada Hills on Friday night.

San Fernando (7-7) trailed the Braves, 30-27, at halftime. The Tigers made only 13 of 33 field goal attempts and were outrebounded, 14-9, in the first half. A zone defense by Birmingham (11-7, 4-3 in league) kept San Fernando from scoring inside, and the Tigers struggled with their half-court offense.

Senior guard Dwayne Calloway triggered San Fernando’s running game in the third quarter. The Tigers outscored Birmingham, 19-9, during the first six minutes to take a 46-39 lead. A series of long-range jump shots in the fourth quarter by senior Milton Lathan increased San Fernando’s lead.

In the second half, the Tigers connected on 21 of 33 attempts.

“Even if we had played our best game, we still wouldn’t have beat them,” said Birmingham Coach Jim O’Hara. “Who can defense the 25-footers?”

San Fernando junior Sean Declouet led all scorers with 17 points. Calloway, Lathan and forward Reggie Prince added 11 points each for the Tigers.

SAN FERNANDO--Declouet 17; Boykin 16 and 12 rebounds; Calloway 11; Lathan 11; Prince 11; Smith 6; Sileo 4.

BIRMINGHAM--Whittaker 12; Carrasco 10; Owens 8 and 8 rebounds; Jones 8 and 12 rebounds; Johnson 7; Zuckerman 6 and 5 assists; Fuentes 4 and 5 assists; Maxwell 4.