BOYS CITY BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : Van Nuys Advances to 3-A Semifinals With Win Over Birmingham

Van Nuys took an early 12-point lead and rolled to a 55-48 victory in a Boys City 3-A quarterfinal playoff game at Van Nuys.

Senior guard Pat Meyer led the Wolves with 16 points.

The game marked the end of Birmingham Coach Jim O’Hara’s 30-year coaching career.

Said O’Hara: “It feels fine. It was a great season. But I’m glad it’s over. Thirty years is a long time.

“The difference was, we didn’t shoot well. They packed it in on us, and we couldn’t hit from the outside. We’ve had a problem with that all year.”

Birmingham was led by Benny Carrasco with 14 points.

Van Nuys plays Marshall in the semifinals Friday night.

Marshall 82, San Fernando 67--Jerry Simon scored 26 points to lead the Barristers to victory in a quarterfinal playoff game at Wilson.

Simon, a 6-5 senior center who averages 38 points a game, also had 20 rebounds, eight assists and six steals for the top-seeded Barristers (20-3).

Teammates Luis Gonzales and David Lopez added 20 and 15 points.

Reserve guard Oliver Matthews paced San Fernando (11-9) with 14 points and four assists. Junior center Shelton Boykin contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Marshall will play Van Nuys on Friday night at Wilson in the semifinals.