San Diego Puts Hurt on Crawford

Before Tuesday’s boys’ basketball game against Crawford High, San Diego Coach Dennis Kane assessed his team’s injuries.

Junior forward Clark James (6-feet 4-inches) is scheduled for a root canal this morning, compliments of an elbow that knocked his front tooth loose Friday in San Diego’s game against St. Augustine.

Junior forward Raynard Wells (6-3) is recovering from the flu.

Senior center Milton Miller (6-6) has a sore foot.

Against Crawford, James responded with 22 points, including 14 of 14 free throws, and grabbed 11 rebounds. Wells added 21 points and 6 rebounds. Miller had 15 points and 4 rebounds.

They led San Diego to a 77-59 victory over rival Crawford, giving the Cavers (12-3, 3-1) sole possession of second place in the City Central League. Lincoln (19-1, 4-0) defeated Christian Tuesday to remain in first. Crawford fell to 12-6, 2-2.

In the first quarter, Crawford scored the first 6 points and the last 6, and with the score 15-8, it looked as if Crawford would run away. The Cavers did not score until 4 minutes 38 into the game on a Miller layup from a Jerome Young assist. Its next two points were James’ free throws after a technical foul was called on Crawford Coach John King.

But a check of the first-quarter statistics showed a trend that would continue throughout the game and ultimately decide it. Crawford made only 5 of 10 free throws, and San Diego hit 6 of 6. For the game, San Diego made 24 of 29 (83%), Crawford just 12 of 28 (43%).

In the second quarter, the home team took over. San Diego scored the first 17 points and outscored the Colts, 22-2, going from a 7-point deficit to a 13-point lead at the half. While San Diego made 6 field goals, including a 3-pointer by Wells, and 9 of 12 free throws, Crawford managed only 2 free throws by Chris Johnson (23 points, 9 rebounds).

“We certainly didn’t do anything to resemble an offense in the second quarter,” King said. “But I didn’t think we were out of the game by any means.”

The third quarter was basically even (20-18, San Diego) and the Cavers led, 50-35. But in the fourth quarter, Crawford got hot (making a 13-4 run), things got tight and tensions erupted into a scuffle between San Diego’s J.R. Greer and Crawford’s Marc Carter.

Greer and Carter were given technicals and ejected for fighting, and both coaches were given technicals because their players left the bench.

After Johnson made 3 of 4 technical shots, Crawford trailed, 54-48. But James, who had made his first 10 free throws in the first half, made all 4. San Diego then outscored Crawford, 19-11, during the final 4:17.