Compton extended its season-long winning streak to eight games and remained undefeated in the Moore League by holding off a strong second half from Lakewood for a one point victory, 76-75, Monday night at Lakewood High School. 

Senior point guard Kyrie Armstrong hit a fade away three-pointer from the corner to give Compton the lead for good, 71-69, with about two minutes left.  Lakewood had a chance to send the game into overtime, down by three with seconds remaining, but they couldn’t find anyone open from behind the arc and settled for a lay-up as the final buzzer sounded.

The Tarbabes’ star senior guard Demar Derozan, who is on his way to USC next year, scored a game-high 30 points in the quietest fashion possible by transforming 22 free throw attempts into 13 points.  

Lakewood seemed to sleep walk through the first few minutes of the contest, but once the Lancers found their legs their game-plan was clear.  No matter where Derozan was on the floor Lakewood relentlessly ran players in his direction.  They set double screens, ran off-ball screens, and hacked his forearm every time he contemplated driving to the bucket.

The strategy successfully kept the game close and kept number 23 contained, but Derozan countered by continuously finding center Edgar Garibay.  The 6’10” senior showed off his range by hitting pull-up jumpers from the elbow, and banged under the rim on his way to 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Compton carried a six point lead into the second half, but the third quarter belonged to Lakewood and their own senior star, shooting guard Kevin McClelland.  The Moore League’s number two scorer (averaging 18 points per game, Derozan leads with 29 ppg) showcased his fearless play while breaking Compton’s full-court press, draining long-range jumpers, hitting floaters in the lane and leading his team to a two-point lead headed into the fourth quarter.   McClelland finished the game with a team-high 22 points.

Also in the third, Derozan, whose frustration from being hounded and fouled all night boiled over and begat a technical foul, had to change his shoes due to a less than stellar Lakewood High gym floor.

Despite the lackluster playing surface, and a few lackluster decisions by the referees, the night showcased a very scrappy and well-coached Lakewood team unable to overcome the sheer athleticism of Compton and its superstar.

Up next, Lakewood travels west this Friday to take on a tough Wilson squad, while Compton returns home on Wednesday to host Millikan.