BOYS’ BASKETBALL SOUTHERN REGIONAL : Crenshaw Gets What It Wants: Mater Dei

After winning four City Section playoff games by an average of 33.3 points, Crenshaw was challenged Thursday night in the semifinals of the Southern California Division Regionals at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

The Cougars responded by making seven of 10 free throws in the final quarter to hold off Huntington Beach, 66-61.

Crenshaw (26-2) advanced to the regional final Saturday at the Sports Arena, where it will meet top-seeded Mater Dei (33-1).

Forward Kris Johnson, who led all scorers with 28 points, made four free throws in the final 36 seconds to clinch the victory and then talked about the long-anticipated showdown.

“We’ve been looking forward to playing Mater Dei all season,” Johnson said. “This is exactly the position we want to be in, playing Mater Dei in the regional final.”

Crenshaw has split two games with Mater Dei in regional final play, but the Cougars almost missed this year’s reunion.

Huntington Beach (29-5) appeared to be heading for an upset when forward Matt Ambrose scored a layup to give the Oilers a 61-60 lead.

Crenshaw responded with two free throws by guard Maurice Robinson 10 seconds later to regain the lead and then went into a full-court press.

The Cougars had Bryan Chang trapped in the backcourt, but he somehow managed to fire a long pass to Ambrose and center Tony Gonzalez, who were wide open under the basket. They scrambled for the off-target pass and collided.

Chang managed to gain control, but he missed a layup with 38 seconds to play, and then it was all downhill for Huntington Beach.