CITY 4-A GIRLS : Pressure Is Off for Crenshaw

The Crenshaw High girls’ basketball team played as if winning the City Section Division 4-A championship was its life-long goal. When it was over Friday at the Sports Arena, the players and coaches could only sigh in relief after Crenshaw defeated North Hollywood, 72-50, to win its second City championship. The Cougars won their other title in 1985.

Before Friday night, Crenshaw (24-2) had played in three City finals since 1987 and lost them all.

The seniors on this year’s team remember losing in 1991 to Washington. The Generals also defeated Crenshaw in the 1989 final, and Kennedy defeated Crenshaw in the 1987 final.

That’s why the Cougars, ranked No. 7, felt so much pressure to win.

“Especially since it is my last year,” said Cathleen Grice, a senior guard.

Grice scored a game-high 26 points and had five rebounds to lead Crenshaw. Center Kimberly Howse had 15 points and a game-high 11 rebounds for the Cougars.

Crenshaw used a pressure defense to shut down North Hollywood guards Anna Celaya and Rachel Fogelhut.

North Hollywood (21-7) was led by forward Darvena Merritt, who scored 22 points, 13 in the first half.

Crenshaw led, 21-10, in a first quarter that was capped by six consecutive points by Grice.

At the half, Crenshaw led, 38-23.

North Hollywood rallied at the beginning of the third quarter, outscoring Crenshaw, 8-2. But then Crenshaw went on a 14-1 run to lead, 54-32.

Reaching the final was more than the Huskies expected. North Hollywood lost three players early when seniors Nikki Hamilton and Tricia Crosby were sidelined because of knee injuries before the fifth game and Liz LaFevers moved to Westlake Village.

“We’ve gone through a lot this year, and we’ve played on emotion the last six or seven games,” said Rich Allen, North Hollywood coach, “and sometimes, you run out of that.”

For Crenshaw, the feeling was a little different.

Crenshaw co-coach Major Dennis said, “It’s kind of like having a load off your shoulders.”