A Cut Above the Rest

Taft's two headed bench monster in senior
guards Fred Cannaday and Ra'saan Jackson

At Monday night's MLK Day Classic at Taft High School the Senators earned their fourth win of the long week, proving that in the city they are simply a cut above the rest......

Taft 57 Withrow 43: While the final margin might have been 14 points it felt like a 50 point game to the crowd. Taft jumped out to an 8-1 lead less then two minutes in, led by 12 after the first, then outscored Withrow 15-2 in the second quarter to take a commanding 36-14 lead into the break. Withrow was unable to do anything to change the momentum in the third quarter as a buzzer beating jumper extended Taft's lead to a game high 25 points heading into the fourth quarter. In the fourth the Senators turned on cruise control, allowing the Tigers to get some easy buckets late. The first of two league meetings between the rivals, and top contenders for the CMAC crown, it is going to be tough to envision Withrow defeating Taft the second time around. The Senators were led by stellar bench play of senior guards Fred Cannaday, who scored 12 points, and Ra'Saan Jackson, who was great in his defensive stopper role. Playing in front of future coach Urban Meyer, senior post Adolphus Washington scored 16 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in the Senator win; while fellow football star Dwayne Stanford, a senior forward, posted 10 points and 10 rebounds. Withrow was led by the 15 points and great energy of senior forward Tyler Jordan while junior post Devin Williams added 12 points and 9 boards, although most of that came late with the outcome already decided.