Boys’ basketball: Crespi pulls out 61-59 victory
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Matt Mounier made a three-point shot with under 30 seconds left, and it proved to be the game-winner as Encino Crespi, ranked No. 2 in Southern Section Division 4A, completed a Mission League sweep of rival Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, ranked No. 3, with a 61-59 victory at Notre Dame.
Freshman Jahmel Taylor had given Notre Dame (13-9, 5-4) a 58-57 lead by making a three-pointer with 1:40 left. The Knights later added a free throw for a 59-57 lead. But Mounier, who finished with 17 points, came through with his clutch shot.
Mounier helped Crespi (14-8, 6-3) wipe out a five-point fourth-quarter deficit when he scored eight consecutive points. Also making a major contribution during the game was reserve Cooper Goldie, who had two three-pointers in the first half.
‘I’d love to face them in the final,’ Crespi Coach Russell White said. ‘It would be great for our league.’
In other Mission League games, first-place Harvard-Westlake defeated Alemany, 75-62. Austin Kelly scored 19 points. The Wolverines face Loyola on Friday night at Loyola. Chaminade defeated St. Francis, 63-56. Jaron Martin and Jamal McClerkin had 20 points apiece.
-- Eric Sondheimer