Boys’ basketball: Crespi is ready for four-hour bus trip
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Encino Crespi will embark on a four-hour bus trip to Fresno Tuesday to play Hoover High in a first-round game of the Southern California Division III regionals.
‘We’re not taking any rooter bus or cheerleaders,’ Coach Russell White said. ‘It’s us against the city of Fresno.’
Crespi (23-8) lost a close game to Inglewood in the semifinals of the Southern Section Division 3A playoffs, and White didn’t hold any formal practices last week, only opening the gym three times for players.
‘It’s definitely a unique situation,’ he said. ‘You think you’re going to play but you don’t know.’
Crespi was given an at-large berth and will try to win on the road and earn a spot against No. 1-seeded La Canada on Thursday.
‘Everyone is excited to get another chance after the way it ended the last time,’ White said, referring to the Inglewood loss.
The Celts don’t figure to return to Encino until after 1 a.m. It will be a much better drive if they’re able to pull out a victory against a 24-6 team that has won 14 in a row.
-- Eric Sondheimer