Edison Proves to Be No Match for Crenshaw

Los Angeles Crenshaw, the No. 5-ranked boys’ basketball team in the nation according to USA Today, blew out Edison, 79-45, Tuesday in the first round of the Southern California Division I Regionals at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

After pushing Mater Dei to the limit in the Southern Section Division I-A final, the Chargers (19-11) appeared ready to compete with Crenshaw. However, they were caught in a running game with Crenshaw and had five turnovers in the first three minutes. They made only three of 15 field goals and trailed, 18-6, after the first quarter.

Crenshaw (23-5) maintained at least a 15-point lead through the second and third quarters and then outscored Edison, 28-11, in the fourth.

“I think the team was overanxious,” Edison Coach Larry Hirst said. “They had a good showing against Mater Dei and they thought another good showing and they would be competitive with Crenshaw.”

Micah Kroeger led Edison with 13 points, making seven of eight free throws. He was three of 15 from the field.

“We tried to run with them and we got burned,” Kroeger said. “To beat a team like Crenshaw, you have to be patient. You can’t play their up-tempo style.”

Ronnie Arch led Crenshaw with 24 points, including six three-pointers, and Kristaan Johnson had 21. Tremaine Fowlkes, a 6-6 1/2 center who was averaging 25.5 points and 15.8 rebounds, had five points and 14 rebounds.

Crenshaw used its bench more than at any time this season and rarely ran its full-court press.

Crenshaw plays Long Beach Poly in the semifinals Thursday.