Boys’ basketball: Third time still a charm for Celts

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It’s hard to beat the same team three times in one season, but Encino Crespi did just that Friday night with a 50-43 victory over Mission Hills Alemany in the Southern Section Division 4A boys’ championship game at Mater Dei High in Santa Ana.

Blake Stanton scored 21 points for the second-seeded Celts (21-11) and Matt Mournier added 17 points, extending his double-digit scoring streak to 21 consecutive games. Stanton made three of four free throws in the final minute to seal the win.

Max Guercy had 14 points, Jordan Fuller had 11 and Jerico Richardson added 8 for the Warriors (15-17), who raced to a 19-6 lead in the first quarter but were outscored 21-6 in the second quarter and trailed 27-25 at halftime.

Both teams will advance to the Southern California Regional playoffs, which begin Tuesday.

-- Steve Galluzzo