Patterson Helps Hart Corral Canyon, 72-57

CANYON COUNTRY â€”  They brought their leapers, streakers and 14 pairs of high-top sneakers. Canyon High’s Cowboys laced them up tight in hopes of roping rival Hart on Friday night.

With a share of the Foothill League championship at stake, the Cowboys brought all their ammunition to their home court. But they forgot one thing.

Canyon didn’t have anybody to lasso Cody Patterson, Hart’s 6-foot-8 center. Thanks to Patterson’s 24 points, this showdown went to the Indians.

Hart wrapped up its third consecutive league championship with a 72-57 victory in front of 1,200 fans. The Indians, ranked No. 1 in the area by The Times, improved to 21-1, 8-0 in league play, and should get a high seeding in the Southern Section Division I tournament.

Canyon finished 19-6 and 6-2, with its only league losses being inflicted by Hart. The Cowboys will get a berth in the Division II playoffs.

Patterson has a knack for making layups after offensive rebounds. Putbacks accounted for 12 of his points. Canyon couldn’t stop him, even after he picked up his fourth foul with one minute left in the third quarter. He scored 12 points after that, as Coach Mike May never removed him from the game.

“It was kind of a gamble, but Cody’s a smart kid,� May said. “He plays that way every day in practice. He’s one of the most tenacious, determined players I’ve ever had. Tonight he was our backbone.�

Canyon features the league’s top two scorers in Greg Minor (23 points per game) and Charles Woodard (20). The Cowboys are talented, but the first time they played Hart they looked confused and lost, like a wagon train crossing the Brooklyn Bridge. They seemed more at home this time, but they blew too many opportunities.

Most memorable were two blown dunks by Woodard a minute apart in the first half with Canyon trailing by one.

“They could have taken the lead,� Patterson said. “I think (trying to dunk) was a serious mistake.�

Four Canyon players finished in double figures: Woodard (16), Minor (12), James Manning (10) and Pat Backes (10). Randy Roa had 18 points for Hart and was the go-to guy early.

But it was Patterson who took over the shooting match after Hart clung to a four-point lead through much of the third quarter.

“Patterson was the difference,� Canyon Coach Greg Hayes said. “Every one of those putbacks could have been a fast break for us. Patterson played the last nine minutes of the game with four fouls, and he never backed down.�