Boys’ basketball: Shacquille Dawkins comes through in Alemany win over Crespi

Shacquille Dawkins of Alemany was creating so much excitement on Monday night in a Mission League championship thriller against Crespi that even USC Coach Andy Enfield was standing and offering applause.

“I was feeling it all night,” said Dawkins, a four-year starter for the Warriors who was saluted on senior night at Alemany.

The game came down to the final seconds. Taj Regans had tied the game with a three for Crespi with 30 seconds left.

Dawkins dribbled the ball, running down the clock for a final shot. He launched his three with just over three seconds left. It drew nothing but net. Alemany won the game, 66-63, and moved one game ahead of Crespi in the Mission League race with one to play.

Dawkins finished with seven threes and had 30 points. Sophomore DJ McDonald also made major contributions with three threes. Alemany (20-6, 10-1) pretty much wrapped up a spot in the Southern Section Open Division playoffs. Crespi (23-3, 9-2) received 27 points and 18 rebounds from USC-bound De’Anthony Melton. Regans had five threes and 15 points.

What hurt the Celts most were 21 turnovers.

Alemany students charged onto the court when Crespi couldn’t convert a final shot attempt after taking out the ball with 2.2 seconds left.

Alemany ends its season on Wednesday against St. Francis while Crespi takes on a red-hot Sherman Oaks Notre Dame team.

Notre Dame won its fourth consecutive game with a 70-43 win over Loyola. Chibueze Jacobs had 21 points and Jon Stretesky added 19 points. St. Francis defeated Chaminade, 61-53. John Stephens and Joey Walsh each had 14 points.

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