Crenshaw Wastes Big Lead, Stops Washington, 111-110

After leading by 18 points at the end of three quarters, Crenshaw High survived a last-second shot and a furious fourth-quarter rally and defeated Washington, 111-110, Friday in a City Southern League game at Crenshaw.

Washington, The Times’ second-ranked City team, trailed No. 4 Crenshaw by as much as 24 points in the third quarter before scoring 47 fourth-quarter points.

Crenshaw needed two free throws by Alexious Scruggs with 14 seconds remaining and 11 fourth- quarter points by Joey Drake, to hold off Washington’s late rally. The Generals outscored Crenshaw, 24-14, in the games’ final three minutes.

Washington rallied behind Isaac Burton, who had 20 points in the fourth quarter and 39 in the game, and Lamar Smith, who finished with 32.

Crenshaw led 34-14 after the first quarter, 53-37 at halftime, and, by getting many second-shot opportunities, opened up a 85-61 lead late in the third quarter.

Connecticut-bound Kevin Ollie, who led Crenshaw with 32 points, scored 10 of the Cougars’ first 14 points in the third quarter.

“We did a good job of shutting them down and then we gave up eight points early in the fourth quarter, which knocked the momentum from us,” Crenshaw Coach Willie West said.

West was referring to what happened when the Generals’ Lamar Smith was fouled by Scruggs, who was then given a technical for contesting the call. Smith made four free throws and then Washington scored two quick baskets around a Crenshaw turnover to close to within 88-78.

With Barnabas James, a 6-7 center who averages 12 rebounds a game, sitting out for academic reasons, Drake played a major role for Crenshaw in the fourth quarter by capitalizing on Washington’s lack of size with several inside baskets.

“We don’t know when James will be back, but hopefully he’ll be back soon,” Washington Coach Kermit Taylor said. “We missed him in that we didn’t make enough rebounding adjustments. But we made a strong run at them anyway and came up short.”

Crenshaw, 9-1 in league play and 19-4 overall, moves one-half game ahead of Washington in the Pacifc League.

Washington (8-1, 19-3) defeated the Cougars in their first league meeting and plays San Pedro next week. If Washington wins, a coin toss will determine the league champion.