BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Crenshaw put in its claim as the top high school basketball team in the nation Thursday night with a convincing 99-71 victory over Miami Northwestern to win the highly prestigious City Of Palms Basketball Tournament at Edison Community College.

In a talent-laden tournament that included six teams, each rated No. 1 in their respective states, Crenshaw won four games by an average margin of 32 points en route to the title.

The victory is expected to push the Cougars, ranked No. 2 last week in the USA Today/CNN national poll, to the top spot. No. 1-ranked Oak Hill Academy of Virginia lost earlier this week to Compton Dominguez in the Las Vegas Holiday Classic.

In capturing the City of Palms tournament, Crenshaw topped three teams considered among the elite in Florida, including Northwestern (13-1), ranked first in Florida and eighth nationally. In the semifinals, Crenshaw played its only relatively close game in the tournament when it defeated perennial power Miami Senior, which has won five state titles in the past seven years, by a 74-66 score.

An aggressive defense coupled with the inside play of Kristaan Johnson and Tremaine Fowlkes proved too much for Northwestern. Johnson scored almost at will, connecting on 12 of 17 shots for a game high 31 points. Fowlkes dropped in 30 points on 11 of 16 shooting with most of his buckets coming from about five-feet out or on offensive rebounds. He also hauled down a game high 10 rebounds.

Crenshaw (9-0) trailed only once in the game when Northwestern’s Sam Watts nailed a three-pointer with 10 seconds left in the opening period to give the Bulls a 19-18 advantage. But the Cougars came back on a three-pointer by Ronnie Arch with one second left in the quarter for a 21-19 lead, which they never relinquished.

Crenshaw led 27-23 with six minutes remaining in the second quarter when it started a run that eventually put the game away. Sparked by Johnson, who connected on all four of his shots, Crenshaw outscored Northwestern, 21-2, to take a commanding 48-25 lead with 1:32 remaining before intermission. Johnson had 19 points at the break on seven of 12 shooting and Fowlkes contributed 12 points.

The Crenshaw defense forced 14 first-half turnovers and held Northwestern to only four field goals on 13 shots in the second quarter. For the game, Crenshaw held Northwestern’s highly touted Corey Louis to only six points. The 6-foot-9 center, who has committed to Florida State, is considered one of the premier players in Florida.

“We knew they were bigger than us and our game plan was to take advantage of our quickness,” said Crenshaw coach Willie West. “The two (Miami) schools don’t play as aggressive on defense as the schools in L.A. We pride ourselves on good defense.” Johnson added, “Our goal is to win the city and state championships, but being No. 1 (in the nation) would be icing on the cake.

When Johnson and Fowlkes weren’t wearing the Northwestern defenders down, Tommie Davis kept them busy. The 5-10 guard, one of the smallest players on the court, was voted the game’s most valuable player. He finished with nine points, five assists and five steals.

Crenshaw 74, Miami Senior 66--Despite losing three players to injury, Crenshaw beat Miami Senior, the 1993 Florida state champion, in the semifinals of the Barnett Bank Fort Myers-City of Palms (Fla.) Classic Wednesday at Edison Junior College.

Ronnie Arch, who became a starter when Leon Watson was injured by a shattered backboard, hurt his right foot and did not play. Junior Robert Parker did not make the trip. Tremaine Fowlkes led the Cougars with 22 points.

Crenshaw 98, Atlanta Benjamin E. Mays 57--More than 1,300 fans watched the Cougars trounce Benjamin E. Mays Tuesday in the Barnett Bank Classic. Kristaan Johnson had 29 points, and Tremaine Fowlkes, starting his second game at center, added 28 points.

Crenshaw 117, Ocala (Fla.) Vanguard 61--Reggie McFerren had 23 points and Tremaine Fowlkes, playing center, added 17 as Crenshaw won its first-round game Monday in the Barnett Bank Classic. Kristaan Johnson, curtailed by a stomachache, played sparingly and scored seven points. Tommie Davis had nine points and 15 assists.

Jordan 83, Jefferson 64--Jordan, which had only six players on the team last year en route to a 1-21 record, has stumbled upon the winning path with a full 12-man squad this season.

Wednesday night, Jordan outpaced Jefferson, 83-64, in the 2A-3A championship game of the Pacific Open Basketball Tournament.

“We’ve come a long way,” head coach Ed Kamiyama said. “After last year’s 1-21 record, it feels good to be 4-4 at this point during the season.”

Guard Clem Breedlove, who was named 2A-3A tournament most valuable player, had a game-high 32 points. Breedlove, who scored 16 points in the second half, scored Jordan’s first six points of the fourth quarter as the Bulldogs outscored Jefferson 14-3 in the period.

Anthony Martin, who scored 22 points in the game, hit a three-pointer to bring Jefferson to within nine at 75-64, but Jordan finished the game with a 8-0 run.

Guard Termell Goss added 22 points for Jordan. Center John Johnson had 22 points and seven rebounds for Jefferson.

Banning 94, Locke 76--Jason Pickett made six three-pointers en route to scoring a game-high 28 points as Banning won the 4-A third-place game of the Pacific Open Basketball Tournament at Santa Monica College.

Guard Eric Jett, who scored 22 points, also hit six three-pointers. The Pilots made 13 three-pointers in the game.

Locke was led by Jervon Lucas, who scored 21 points and hit five three-pointers.

Eagle Rock 50, Belmont 46--Guard Benny Hoang scored 18 points in the 3-A third-place game of the Pacific Open Basketball Tournament. Jesse Yun of Belmont scored a game-high 23 points and hit on four of six three-point attempts.

Jefferson 81, Centennial 62--Anthony Martin scored a game-high 24 points and John Johnson added 21 as the Democrats won a 3-A semifinal game in the Pacific Open Basketball Tournament. Centennial’s Kezie Woir scored 15 points, eight in the first quarter.

Dorsey 65, Los Angeles 59--Ricky Blackman scored 14 points and back court mate Terrell McKnight added 12 as the Dons won a 4-A consolation game of the Pacific Open Basketball tournament. Guard Brandon Thomas led the way for Los Angeles with 15 points.

Belmont 75, Canoga Park 72--Forward Elathan Walton scored four of Belmont’s eight points in double overtime in a 3-A consolation game of the Pacific Open Basketball Tournament.

Walton, who scored a game-high 27 points, missed a shot under the basket at the end of regulation that would have won the game. Center Jason Yun, who chipped in 12 points, also missed a shot under the basket at the end of the first overtime.

Inglewood 81, Dorsey 64--Inglewood forward Paul Pierce scored a game-high 21 points in a 4-A quarterfinal game of the Pacific Open Tournament.

Guard Sam Turks chipped in 16 points for Inglewood as the Sentinels outscored Dorsey by 16 points in the third quarter. Point guard Terrell McKnight led the Dons with 20 points.

Fairfax 70, Los Angeles 51--Lanell McGrew scored 16 points, including 10 in the second half, as Fairfax won a quarterfinal game of the Pacific Open Tournament Monday.

Los Angeles took advantage of Fairfax’s turnovers and held a 29-28 halftime lead. But the Lions came back to score the first eight points of the second half and were never threatened. Brandon Thomas had 11 points to lead the Romans.

Washington 72, Serra 54--Forward Dayron Harris scored a game-high 28 points and grabbed eight rebounds in a 4-A consolation game of the Pacific Open Tournament.

Harris scored Washington’s first 10 points of the third quarter as the Generals went on a 20-4 run. Guard Ricky Price led the Cavaliers with 25 points.

South Gate 40, Gardena 37--Guard Omar Herrera scored 12 points as the Rams pulled out a 3-A consolation game of the Pacific Open Basketball Tournament. Forward Nestor Plascencia added 11 points for South Gate. Gardena’s Torian Mitchell led all scorers with 17 points.