Boys' basketball: Taft prevails over Fairfax, 44-38

Woodland Hills Taft didn't make a single basket in the fourth quarter, but the Toreadors made 10 free throws and that was good enough for a 44-38 win over Fairfax in the City Preview Classic at Fairfax.

Anthony January scored 20 points for the Toreadors (17-3), who helped their chances of claiming the No. 1 seed for the City Section Division I playoffs. Brendyn Taylor scored 24 points for Fairfax (13-7).

Fairfax got as close as 36-34 with five minutes left.

Fairfax used a 2-3 zone defense that slowed the game and kept the Toreadors within striking distance. But January stood tall and delivered when Taft needed a boost, particularly in the second quarter, when he scored 13 points.

-- Eric Sondheimer