Boys’ Division III : Crossroads Hits a Dead-End Against Vanden; Coach Resigns

After watching his team lose to Vanden of Travis Air Force Base, 68-63, in the State Division III championship game Saturday, Coach Elliot Turret of Santa Monica Crossroads High School called a team meeting at a hotel near the Oakland Coliseum Arena and announced his resignation.

After returning to Los Angeles, Turret said that he resigned because “I think I’ve done all I can at Crossroads.”

“We’re the only team to make it to the (Southern Section) final five straight years,” Turret said. “I felt it was time to move on.”

Vanden (27-2) gained the victory thanks to the clutch free-throw shooting of forward Howard Hall, who scored 29 points.

Crossroads (23-8) turned an 11-point deficit into a three-point lead with six minutes left, but the Roadrunners faltered in the end.

It was the second time in four years that Crossroads had made it to the state title game and lost.

Immediately after the game, Turret said he thought that playing eight playoff games might have taken its toll.

“I think the team peaked for the Whittier Christian game (the Southern Section 1-A final) and never regained that form,” Turret said. “I think Southern Section teams gear up for our sectionals the way Northern teams gear up for the regionals.”

Center Dave Wolfe, a 6-7 junior, had two points in the second half after having 14 by halftime. He took three shots in the second half.

Crossroads missed its only three free-throw attempts of the second half. The Roadrunners were outrebounded, 47-29.

Vanden center Alan Casner, a 6-5 junior, controlled the boards with 16 rebounds. Hall had 11 rebounds as the Vikings repeatedly got second and third shots.