BOYS’ BASKETBALL / STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS : Crenshaw Looks for a Repeat

Carmichael Jesuit High lost to Crenshaw in the State Division I boys’ basketball final last year at Oakland, then waited patiently to see if it would be awarded the championship trophy.

Moments after Crenshaw had defeated Jesuit for its record fifth State title, 73-66, rumors began flying that the Cougars had violated rules because many of their players had questionable transfers.

“We had been hearing things about Crenshaw all year,” said Hank Meyer, Jesuit’s coach. “Things hit a peak during the tournament. We thought maybe something would come of it.”

Six weeks later, the City Section conducted an investigation into the Crenshaw basketball program and found no violations.

Meyer said many in the community were excited about Jesuit getting the title, but he was not counting on anything.

“To tell you the truth, I really didn’t want to win State by forfeiture,” he said. “I’d rather do it on the court.”

A year later, Jesuit has the chance to do just that. The Marauders (31-6) take on Crenshaw (28-2) for the State championship at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Jesuit advanced to the title game with a 79-72 victory over Oakland Fremont in the Northern Regional final last Saturday, and Crenshaw defeated Santa Ana Mater Dei in the Southern Regional, 71-67.

Although the schools are the same this year, the circumstances are different. Jesuit was rated No. 1 in the state by Cal-Hi Sports most of last season, and began the final with a 35-1 record.

This season, the Marauders struggled early, losing several times in holiday tournaments. They dropped two games in the first half of conference play and finished in a three-way tie for first with Sacramento Foothill and Roseville Oakmont. They were seeded fourth in the Northern Regional.

Jesuit, however, has won 13 in a row, and Meyer believes his team has finally found the right chemistry. His team is well balanced with guards Gio Carmazzi, Omarr Collins and Chris Griffin and forward Ben Ammerman scoring in double figures.

Crenshaw has been the state’s top-rated team all season, despite two losses during a holiday tournament in South Carolina. The Cougars had four starters from last year, and filled the missing point guard position with Tommie Davis, a talented transfer from Fremont.

Coach Willie West will be going for his sixth State championship in 12 years.

“We’ve been pumped up about this game all season,” said Kristaan Johnson, Crenshaw’s starting forward who is averaging 23 points and nine rebounds. “We’re at the point where we wanted to be. This season has been awesome.”