Boys’ basketball: Narbonne defense comes through in 55-46 win over Crespi

The big question is what’s more impressive: The way Narbonne’s basketball team is playing or the dapper suits worn by Coach Anthony Hilliard?

Hilliard wore a gray suit for Thursday’s Westchester tournament quarterfinal game against defending state Division I champion Crespi and couldn’t have been more pleased after his team knocked off the Celts, 55-46.

Crespi (1-1) had little offensive firepower other than Taj Regans, who made four threes in the first half but none in the second half. He finished with 15 points. Narbonne (4-2) led at halftime, 20-18, then opened an 18-point lead in the second half behind 6-foot-4 senior Psalm Maduakor, who scored 15 points and had double figures in rebounds.

Narbonne will play Bishop Montgomery in Friday’s semifinals. Crespi is still awaiting the return of standout junior guard Brandon Williams from a knee injury.

“I’m encouraged,” Hilliard said. “The defense in the third quarter we really picked it up.”

Crespi Coach Russell White has lots of work to do. “We have to get our turnovers down and our assists up,” he said.

The other semifinal will have Westchester taking on Washington. Westchester defeated Hart, 62-49.

Washington lost to Taft, 68-63, in a nonleague game. Abdurrahman Zaid had 18 points and Kihei Clark 14 in Taft’s season opener.

Fairfax advanced in the Maranatha tournament with a 60-40 win over Palisades. Jamal Hartwell scored 20 points and Ethan Anderson 17.

Brentwood stayed unbeaten with a 72-41 win over Torrance. Braelee Albert and Charley Wadler each scored 22 points.

Thousand Oaks defeated Viewpoint, 56-43. Freshman Andrew Reyes had 16 points and made five threes for Viewpoint.

Camarillo defeated Ventura, 80-44. Jaime Jaquez scored 32 points. Jurupa Valley improved to 3-0 with a 53-42 win over Glendora.

Damien advanced to the Sierra Vista semifinals with a 98-31 win over Don Lugo. Cameron Shelton had 21 points and 11 assists and Justin Hemsley added 20 points.

Paraclete (4-0) defeated Aerospace, 67-26.

Oxnard upset Village Christian, 83-58, in the Burbank tournament. Mason Johnson had 23 points.

Rancho Mirage improved to 3-0 with a 79-43 win over Heritage. Charles Neal scored 37 points and Bryan Talley had 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Loyola is 2-0 in the Maranatha tournament after defeating Maranatha, 60-57. Kyle Reece had 13 points and Julian Smith 11. The Cubs will play Muir in the semifinals. The other semifinal is Pasadena vs. Fairfax.

Valley Torah defeated Milken, 70-68, on a game-winning shot with five seconds left by Ryan Turrell, who finished with 33 points and 16 rebounds. Max Leibowitz added 33 points.

Corona Centennial defeated Cathedral, 83-51. Jalen Hall had 26 points and 13 rebounds.

Mater Dei defeated San Joaquin Memorial, 67-39, at the Mission Viejo tournament. Spencer Freedman had 17 points and Miles Brookins 14. Mater Dei is 4-0.

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