GAME OF THE WEEK : Dorsey Takes Its Revenge on Crenshaw, 78-65 : Basketball: The Dons take advantage of their quickness to seal the victory, their first win over the two-time defending City Section 4-A champions since 1992.

For the past three years, Dorsey High always appeared to have the talent and desire to knock off cross-town rival Crenshaw, but the Dons never were able to get the job done.

Until Wednesday.

The Dons maintained their focus throughout a stunning 78-65 win over Crenshaw at the D-House, clouding the Southern Pacific Conference race.

Crenshaw leads the conference with an 8-1 record, two games ahead of Dorsey (6-3), which lost to Washington on Friday.

“We always felt we were the best team in the City,” Dorsey forward Wil O’Neal said. “We weren’t focused when we lost the other times to Crenshaw.”

The Dons had not beaten Crenshaw since Feb. 5, 1992, when Davy Fortson made a three-point shot with two seconds left for an 86-83 win. Crenshaw had won six consecutive games, including the last two City 4-A Division championship games against the Dons.

The Cougars appeared headed for another win, taking a 21-17 lead during a foul-plagued first quarter. But Dorsey was not going to be intimidated.

“Their fouling wasn’t effective,” Dorsey point guard Verdel Baskin said. “Once they knew we weren’t going to back down, they got scared.”

Crenshaw’s Marques DuVall scored on a drive to the basket and made a free throw to begin the second quarter. But Dorsey took advantage of its quickness, with guards Baskin and Mac West scoring six points apiece as the Dons outscored Crenshaw, 17-2, during the next three minutes for a 34-26 lead.

The Cougars tried their full-court press, but had trouble rotating back, which left Dorsey players open underneath for easy baskets.

“Our defense stunk,” Crenshaw Coach Willie West said.

Dorsey maintained its seven-point lead at halftime and increased its advantage to 19 points with three minutes left in the third quarter on Jason Howzell’s three-point shot.

“Dorsey hasn’t won a City title in 20 years,” O’Neal said. “Now the best team is out and we’re going to make history.”

The rematch will take place Friday at 4 p.m. at Crenshaw.

“It’s not over,” Dorsey Coach Kevin Gibson said.