jday226.htm

SoCal High School & Prep Report

Jason Day: He's Baaack--LA Runs
Out Of Gas, Crenshaw Wins--(February 26, 1998)

Sure, you all remember Jason Day, our fearless Southern Section and SoCal correspondent. He's been in hibernation, getting ready for the traveling team season which seems to start just as the high school playoffs end. But before that gets underway, there are still a bunch of games to play and players to see. Last night, Los Angeles High's Romans took on Crenshaw. Or rather, they were taken on by Crenshaw. Whatever, Crenshaw won. By a lot. Here's Jason's take on the game, and remember, if you don't like it, tell him not us; likewise, he might deserve a "job well done" and if you want to send him a pat on the back, he can be reached at elgee333@pacbell.net.

L.A. RUNS OUT OF GAS, CRENSHAW WINS 109-89

by Jason Day
Exclusive to SoCalHoops

The L.A. High basketball team took the long ride to cross town rival Crenshaw High last night facing all of the naysayers and pundits who predicted they didn’t have a chance.

"L.A. doesn’t have a bench." "The offense has to rely on streaky guards, no inside game." "Too much attitude." "Poor team defense."

The Romans have heard all of that and more this year. But what this observer, and a sizable number of Crenshaw supporters, saw last night was a team with two very important strengths. Pride and heart.

Unfortunately, Crenshaw came with those two ingredients, plus; a vastly deeper bench, a huge "go-to" performance from their "go-to" guy, and a game plan that features relentless defensive pressure and relentless attacks on the basket. All of this with the horses (herds of them) to carry out the plan.

The game started out just as most might have predicted. Crenshaw defensive pressure forcing the L.A. guards into mistakes. One minute and seven seconds into the contest, L.A. had to take a time out and try to stem a 7-0 run by the "Shaw". At that point, L.A. had already committed 4 turnovers and had not taken one shot at the basket.

Whatever was discussed in the huddle was particularly effective, because L.A. came out "smokin". Their 1-2-2 full court pressure started to give the Crenshaw backcourt players fits and by 3:45 left in the 1^st, L.A. had tied it 11-11.

Crenshaw coach, Willie West, substituted freely as he searched for the right combination to counter the inspired play of the Romans and their guards in particular.

Senior, Deon "Popeye" Green and Junior, Leroy Dawson played tough aggressive defense on the Shaw ball handlers, then after the turnover or defensive rebound, pushed the ball up the court with precision leading to easy lay-ups. 5’10 Junior guard, Brian Segbefia, came off the bench early in the 1^st and immediately joined the fun with 9 quick points, 3 or 4 boards and a couple of steals.

For Crenshaw, while looking hapless at times, they were able to stay within 6 (21-15) by the end of the 1^st, mostly on the back of SR PF, Anthony Garrison. The "big" guy, a Barkley look alike but much shorter, parked his ample butt in the paint and had his way, WHEN AND IF the guards could get him the ball. Garrison would end up with 36 pts. for the game (15 in the 1^st half) and only 2 of that total came from a jumper ( a short one in the paint). The rest were lay-ins, put backs, or free throws. He chipped in 12 boards and an assist, and was virtually unstoppable once he got the ball in the low post.

The Cougars other scorer was not having as good a time of it. SR SG, Brandon Hawkins had only 5 points in the 1^st half, none in the 1^st quarter. This coupled with what seemed like real difficulty for Crenshaw to make a lay-up, meant L.A. got lots of opportunities to score and took advantage. They were up by 12 at the half, after one of the most exciting quarters of high school basketball that I’ve seen in awhile. Both teams ran and ran and then ran some more. This, and some foul trouble for their big men, would come back to haunt L.A. all too soon. 46-34, L.A. at the half.

The 3^rd quarter started with L.A.’s guards still dictating the play and showing more athleticism and aggressiveness than their Crenshaw counter parts. L.A went up by as many as 15 before the Cougar’s strategy started to pay off. Oh, what was the "strategy". Simple. Send wave after wave after wave of fresh players into the game to run, run, and then run some more. In the meantime, pound the ball into Garrison who will in turn pound it into the basket. The fact that Hawkins and SR SG, Donte Barrett (13 pts., 4 assists, 3 steals) , started putting the ball in the hoop left L.A. in a no-win situation.

By this time the Roman big men, 6’7 SR C, Carey Miller and 6’6 SR C, Deon Watson were in foul trouble. That and the incredible pace of the game forced Coach John Booker to go deeper into his bench than he usually does.

Result?

Crenshaw closes to within 10 (61-51) at 3:40 of the 3^rd quarter. Garrison brought it to six on a "guard like" reverse under the basket. Then JR SG, Jonathon Stokes, who didn’t have stellar numbers (8pts., 3 boards, 3 assists, 3 steals.) but was a real force on defense in the half, made a steal and a perfect pass to a streaking Hawkins to make it 65-61 at 1:35 of the 3^rd. Then, in a key play, L.A. SR F, Devon Hicks sank a runner in the lane but was called for the charge. No basket and HIS 4^th personal. It was 65-63 (L.A.) when Dawson hit a big 3 pointer. Garrison came down and scored, Barrett stole the inbound pass, scored it AND ONE. Tie game 68-68 at :40 of the 3^rd. The handwriting was all over these walls, just like all those championship banners.

One minute into the 4^th quarter a scene, that just drives coaches (including this one) crazy, unfolded. L.A. senior center, Carey Miller, was called for a personal foul, his 5^th. He pitched a small "hissy fit" as he was leaving the court and was slapped with the "tech". Now you know I try not to criticize the play of any of the kids I write about. I try to couch any negatives in hopeful language. But when a senior (A SENIOR) doesn’t understand the folly of running his mouth when his team is down by 2 (73-71 by this time), thereby giving the opponent "umpty five" free throws, AND the ball, I scratch my head. The fact that this kid was not having the greatest game, contribution wise (I had a "flatline" for him, no pts, boards, blocks, anything), made the episode that much more unfortunate.

It wasn’t the deciding play in this game, but it sure didn’t help. Crenshaw put a Garrison lay-in on top of the two technicals and had a 6-pt. lead with 6:40 left.

With 3:30 left, Popeye was called for HIS 5^th. He went to the bench, for the last time as a prep baller, with 21 pts., 5 boards, 8 assists, and 9 steals. The "props" given him by the crowd as he went to the bench were not enough to quell the emotion as he sat and cried unable to watch the finish. Crenshaw was up by eleven, 91-80.

This was over. Garrison and Hawkins just went "OFF". Hawkins finished with 25 pts. 11 boards, 4 assists, and 3 steals. Ryan Sims finished a strong outing with 6 pts. and 8 boards, and sophomore guard, E.J. Harris steadied himself after a shaky 1^st half to finish with 8 pts.(2 – 3’s), 5 assists, and 3 boards. 6’5 sophomore, Louis Gray made a big contribution on the boards, snatching 7 rebounds.

For L.A., Dawson finished with 27 pts., 5 boards, 3 steals, and 4 assists. He could only manage to drop 2 of the scads of 3’s he shot and had he been "on" from there, it might have been a different game. Might have been.

6’4 SR F, Devin Hicks, another senior who left it all on the court, finished with 11 pts. (2 – 3’s), 9 boards, and 3 steals. Watson finished with 7pts. 6 rebounds, and 3 blocked shots. Segbefia, as scrappy and aggressive a player as you’ll see anywhere, finished with 11 pts., 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals.

So it’s on to Westchester for Crenshaw. The "dream" matchup that everyone’s been waiting for, finally arrives tomorrow night at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Tip off is scheduled for 8:00pm. Who’s gonna win?

I’m not making any predictions. Why? Because I’m chicken, that’s why. Of course Westchester should be favored to win this one. Even though Crenshaw just beat an L.A. team that played the best game of it’s year, BY 20 POINTS, every "basketballaholic" in the place could see the Shaw’s "weaknesses". But this is the Shaw. The Wizard, banners up the yang, an 18-man rotation, that damned dancing cougar, etc.

Westchester by 10.

See ya,

Jason Day