Cleveland vs Birmingham: High School Basketball Showdown

RESEDA – With the West Valley League crown already clinched, Cleveland played the long game, resting their sky-walking big man and difference-maker Sergine Deme. It was the smart move. The Cavs would also have to face the Patriots without their head coach, Dagem Asfaw, but assistant Jason Johnson made it clear there would be no excuses. “It’s next man up for us,” Johnson said. On Wednesday, sophomore Charlie Adams was the next man up for the Cavs, but they would need more than him to beat Birmingham.

For Birmingham, this was a statement game. One they felt they had to have to validate their Open Division credentials. “We have to get this one,” said Patriots head coach Nicholas Halic. “Gave up 58 points in the paint the first time we played them. We need to do a much better job tonight.” Behind junior X’zavion McKay’s 15 rebound, 14 foul shots (only sank 5), they not only did better, they dominated the paint.

A tense moment during a basketball game featuring four players competing for the ball, with one player dribbling while three others attempt to gain possession.

A basketball player wearing a black uniform with the number 33 is jumping to dunk the ball, while a player in a red uniform with the number 12 watches nearby. Spectators are seated in the background, with basketball posters on the walls.

Cleveland, a team known for starting slow, looked loose early — too loose. Long cross-court passes against Birmingham’s swarming defense proved costly, and after a pair of early turnovers, many disrupted by Christian Graham, Johnson was forced to burn an early timeout with the Cavs behind 4-2.

Cleveland responded. Out of the break, Adams found Emmitt Claiborne in rhythm for a clean three to grab a brief lead. But without Deme anchoring the paint, Birmingham wasted no time exploiting his backup. McKay went right at Chasen Pejoro, finishing through traffic and setting the tone for a night that belonged to the Patriots inside.

Two basketball players competing for a rebound during a game, one wearing a red jersey and the other in a black uniform, with a group of spectators in the background.

Pejoro answered with an easy layup off a slick feed from junior TJ Wansa, nudging Cleveland back in front, 7–6. From there, the opening quarter settled into a true see-saw. Adams began asserting his offensive prowess slashing through gaps, creating space.

A basketball game in progress with players from opposing teams maneuvering for possession of the ball, while spectators watch from bleachers in the background.

A high school basketball player in a red jersey is being guarded by two opponents in blue jerseys, as he attempts to pass the basketball. Cheerleaders and spectators are visible in the background, creating an energetic atmosphere during the game.

As good as Adams and Wansa are, the Patriots backcourt may have them beat with junior Tekeio Phillips and Charles Eleri. Phillips is the Patriots go-to guy. Mr. consistency on both ends of the court. Whenever the Patriots needed a basket or a stop, Phillips came through.

A basketball player in a white and red uniform is jumping to make a shot while being defended by an opponent in a dark blue jersey. The scene is set in a gymnasium, with spectators in the background.

Two basketball players compete on the court during a game, with one player dribbling the ball while being closely guarded by an opponent. Spectators are visible in the background.

Eleri transferred from El Camino after being their go-to-guy. With the Patriots, and looks to have accepted his role as a do-everything point guard who rebounds, makes the extra pass, and knocks down timely threes. Together with Phillips they wield a steady hand in the backcourt. At the end of one it was Patriots 18-16.

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Wansa attacked the paint more aggressively in the 2nd quarter, at one point getting to the charity stripe three straight possessions, helping the Cavs stay with Birmingham.

A basketball player in a white uniform with red accents prepares to shoot a basketball during a game.

But the Patriots don’t beat themselves. You have to beat them. What they don’t have in bench depth, they make up for in a super-solid starting 5. Junior Andrew Berry is not just a cog in the wheel, he makes plays on both ends of the court. Birmingham’s balance gave them the edge as they pulled ahead at the half, 35-30.

Cleveland opened the second half with renewed energy, fueled by Adams, who caught fire and couldn’t be cooled. It began with a smooth turnaround jumper from the elbow, followed by back-to-back floaters, then a corner three. When the defense finally overplayed him, Adams drew a foul on a three-point attempt, completing a blistering stretch that reshaped the game.

A basketball player in a white jersey with the number 1 jumps to shoot the ball, while two defenders in black jerseys watch intently. In the background, a crowd of spectators fills the bleachers.

By the time the quarter ended, Adams had scored 16 of Cleveland’s 23 third-quarter points, single-handedly pushing the Cavaliers to a 53-50 lead.

Birmingham came out in the fourth the same way they opened the game, feeding McKay inside and reestablishing control of the paint. Down the stretch, the Patriots leaned on Phillips, and he delivered. Defensively, Birmingham turned up the pressure, trapping and keeping the ball out of Adams’ hands in an effort to slow the Cavs down. It worked until Adams shook free for a three to reclaim the lead, 61-60.

A basketball player in a black jersey attempts to shoot while being closely guarded by an opponent in a white jersey. The background shows a gym filled with spectators.

Phillips hit a contested 3-pointer to put the Patriots up 63-61. But budding sophomore Sho Evans showed he would not wilt, hitting a jumper to tie. Followed that with a steal along with the scoop and a foul. He hit the free throw for a 66-63 lead with 3:07 left.

A basketball player wearing a white jersey with red accents, number 22, leaps to make a shot while an opposing player in a black jersey defends. In the background, spectators watch from the bleachers during a basketball game.

A basketball player leaps for a shot while facing two defenders during a game in a gym filled with spectators.

Phillips answered once more, slicing to the rim and banking in a high-arcing layup to pull the Patriots within one. Moments later, Graham snagged the inbound pass, and the Patriots defense slammed the door, blanking the Cavs the final 3 minutes. Cleveland turned to a hack-a-Shaq strategy but couldn’t get the crafty McKay onto the charity stripe.

A basketball player in a black jersey takes a jump shot while being guarded by an opponent in a white jersey, with two other players in the background on a gym court.

For coach Johnson, he acknowledged missing the big man but also that the Patriots played well. “They just played a little better than us today. Charlie (Adams) had a great night for us offensively. Tried to get us over the hump. Almost did. We just fell short.” Adams scored 29 points to lead all scorers.

Halic was most happy about how his Patriots played down the stretch, scoring the last 11 points of the game. “That starting five all had their moments tonight. Christian (Graham) with that big steal and X (McKay), what can you say about him? He just does a little bit of everything. I like our chances. It’s gonna be tough. And that’s why you do it.”

Phillips paced the Patriots with 26 points (10 in the last 4 minutes). His play is so consistent one almost forgets about him until you glance at the scoresheet.

The Patriots play a suddenly very dangerous El Camino Royals to end their regular season and make a case to be in the Open Division playoffs.

all photos by Henry Barrial