Crenshaw Wins Fifth State Title

The Crenshaw High boys’ basketball team won a record fifth State Division I championship with a 73-66 victory over Carmichael Jesuit Saturday before 12,000 at the Oakland Coliseum.

Stockton won four championships between 1922-28, but since the tournament was resurrected 13 years ago, no team has dominated like Crenshaw. Under Coach Willie West, the Cougars have won their five titles since 1982.

“Our goal is to win as much as we can and get as many players on college scholarships as possible,” said West, whose team defeated Dorsey for the City Division 4-A title two weeks ago. “We instill winning in these young players because college coaches are attracted to winners.”

West’s perfect record in State title games was in doubt for three quarters against Jesuit, the division’s top-ranked team all season.

The Marauders, who finished with a 35-2 record, trailed most of the first half before mounting a brief comeback.

Trailing, 36-28, midway through the third quarter, Jesuit looked to its top player, senior guard Isaac Fontaine.

Fontaine responded by scoring six of his 23 points during a two-minute stretch that pulled the Marauders to within 38-36 with 1:45 left in the quarter.

But that would be as close as Jesuit would get. Fontaine picked up his fourth foul during the quarter and fouled out with three minutes left in the game.

Jesuit made only 11 of 23 free throws and missed all 15 of its three-point shots.

Crenshaw junior forward Tremaine Fowlkes took charge down the stretch, scoring 14 of his 17 points during the second half.

The Cougars, who won their last 18 games to finish 28-2, were ahead by as many as 12 points during the fourth quarter.

Junior center Kristaan Johnson, who scored the winning basket against Santa Ana Mater Dei in the Southern Regional final last week, scored 19 points and had nine rebounds.

Junior forward Reggie McFerren added 19 points and seven rebounds and senior guard Maurice Robinson had 12 points.

“Jesuit played with a lot of heart, and we shouldn’t have let them back in the game,” said Fowlkes, who also had a game-high 17 rebounds. “Luckily, I was able to settle down in the second half and make baskets in crucial situations.”

Guard Chris Griffin led Jesuit with 24 points.