Crespi Likes Life in Fast Lane, 58-42

Crespi High’s basketball team has made a habit recently of grabbing big leads in the first quarter.

A week ago against Bosco Tech, the Celts ran out to an 11-point lead after the first eight minutes. Last Tuesday at Loyola, Crespi outscored its opponent, 23-11, in the first.

The pattern continued Friday night at Crespi as the Celts bolted to an 18-4 lead and defeated Alemany, 58-42. Crespi’s win improved its Del Rey League record to 7-0, while Alemany slipped to 2-5.

The game was never much of a contest as Alemany could get no closer than five points after the first quarter.

Crespi scored the first six points as Alemany (8-9 overall) managed only eight shots in the first quarter. The Celts’ full-court press forced four Alemany turnovers.

Crespi (14-4) increased its lead to 16 in the second quarter before Alemany made its only run. With David Swanson scoring seven points, the Indians closed the gap to 31-26 at the half.

Jason Turner and Pat Knight opened the third quarter with outside jumpers to again give Crespi a comfortable margin.

Crespi, which came into the game shooting 51% on the season, had one of its poorest games from the field. The Celts made only 20 of 50 shots.

“We didn’t shoot well,” Crespi Coach Paul Muff said, “but our defense compensated. I was really pleased with our defense in the second half.”

Alemany took only 16 shots in the second half and scored just 16 points.

Swanson, with 15 points, was the only Alemany player to reach double figures. Bill Lucid, the Indians’ 6-6 center, spent most of the game in foul trouble and scored only seven points.

“We had a total breakdown in every phase of the game,” Alemany Coach Joe Anlauf said. “Offense, defense--we were terrible.”

Alemany took only 36 shots from the field during the game, making 14. The Indians were dominated on the boards, very rarely getting more than one shot.

Tom Morley had only four points for Crespi, but collected 10 rebounds.

Forward Steve Tanin led Crespi with 14 points, while sixth-man Steve Yoest added 11.

The Celts next play St. Francis on Tuesday night in La Canada. Crespi has beaten St. Francis 19 straight times since 1976.