Chatsworth Eliminated by Fremont

The Chatsworth High boys’ basketball team found out that a thin bench and a physical game can be a fatal combination.

Despite having its top three players in foul trouble, the Chancellors were able to stay with Fremont until the final seconds before the Pathfinders came away with a 54-52 victory in a City Section 4-A quarterfinal game Wednesday night at Fremont.

Point guard Jerome Joseph had two chances to win the game in the final seconds, but he missed an open three-point shot with eight seconds left.

After Dony Wilcher missed a free throw, Joseph, who finished with 20 points, penetrated to within eight feet of basket. But he was unable to get a shot off, making contact with a Fremont defender and falling to his knees as time expired.

The play was typical of the physical play employed by Fremont (27-3), which won its 18th consecutive game.

Joseph played the final 10 minutes with four fouls. Standout center Eddie Miller fouled out with just over one minute remaining and Lee Larson, who came off the bench to grab 14 rebounds, fouled out in the final seconds.

“It was tough in there all night,” said Miller, who made only three of 16 shots. “Their bench was just too deep, they were throwing new bodies in there every five minutes.”

Miller finished with nine points and 15 rebounds for Chatsworth (20-5), which lost for the first time in 12 games.

Chatsworth’s foul problems began early. Tariq Hill, the Chancellors’ third-leading scorer, picked up three quick fouls. After playing only six minutes in the first half, Hill kept Chatsworth in the game with 10 second-half points.

Chatsworth appeared to take control of the game entering the second half, scoring six consecutive points to extend a 22-20 halftime lead.

But after a timeout, Fremont extended its defensive pressure and forced seven turnovers in seven minutes.

* BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: C10