Generals Stand Tall, Pass By Smaller Cougars

The reserves on the Washington boys’ basketball team had towels draped over their heads while watching from the sidelines as their teammates battled Crenshaw in the finals of the Los Angeles Officials Tournament on Tuesday.

For a few anxious moments, it looked as if they might have to throw in those towels. But the Generals, who led by 19 entering the fourth quarter, staved off a brief Cougar comeback and held on for a 94-85 victory.

The Generals had an easier time in the first half, making 30 of their 51 points on uncontested layups while deftly breaking Crenshaw’s full-court press. All Washington needed in the second half was to make its free throws.

“The first five minutes of the game were important because we had to break their press,” Washington Co-Coach David Johnson said. “We tried not to panic under pressure and work the ball to the middle of the floor.”

In three tournaments, Crenshaw’s defense has forced opponents away from the middle and used the sidelines as an extra defender, leading to one tournament victory for the Cougars and a second-place finish in another. But they fell short Tuesday when the Generals successfully used overhead passes to get by the smaller Cougars.

Washington outscored Crenshaw 23-10 in the second quarter. Stacey Thomas, a 6-foot-7 center, and Dayron Harris, a 6-5 forward, combined for 16 points in the second quarter, scoring mostly from within five feet of the basket.

Guard Craige Slaughter, who made four three-pointers, finished with a game-high 28 points; Harris had 24 and Thomas added 20. Kristaan Johnson led the Cougars with 23 points and Tremaine Fowlkes had 19.

The Generals made nine shots on layups and hit 25 of 38 free throws in the second half.

“We got our butts whipped,” Crenshaw Coach Willie West said. “They shot free throws exceptionally well.”

Records: Washington 8-1; Crenshaw 10-2.