HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : Crenshaw Victory Never in Question : City Section: Cougars win third title in a row as Fairfax’s late rally falls short, 78-76.

This was supposed to be the difficult one, but Damian Willis showed early that Crenshaw would not have much trouble winning its third consecutive City Section 4-A Division basketball championship Saturday in front of 5,000 at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Two minutes into the game, Cory Williams stole the ball from Fairfax’s Jair Fray and passed it down court to Willis, who dunked the ball to bring the Crenshaw fans to their feet and spark the Cougars to a 78-76 victory over Fairfax.

The game was not as close as the final score might indicate. Crenshaw led by as many as 15 points in the second half before Fairfax put together a late run, capped by a three-point basket by Duane Davis at the buzzer.

The Cougars have won 14 section and six state titles since 1971.

Crenshaw was not strongly challenged in the past two 4-A finals, but the top-seeded Cougars started virtually a new lineup this season and were expected to have their hands full with second-seeded Fairfax, which entered the final having won 12 of its last 13 games.

“Nobody gave us a chance, nobody thought we would get to the playoffs, let alone win it,” said Willie West, Crenshaw’s coach. “Luckily, we got enough of a lead and were able to hang on to win.”

Crenshaw (24-5) took control early, jumping out to an 8-2 lead, capped by Willis’ dunk. The Cougars extended their advantage to 23-16 by the end of the first quarter behind seven points from Willis.

Fairfax (23-6) was hampered by an injury to Fray, a starting senior forward who was replaced by Ivan Garner with four minutes remaining in first quarter. Fray did not return to the game.

Despite the loss of Fray, Fairfax went on a 5-2 run to start the second quarter and narrow the margin to four points, 25-21, with 6:07 remaining in the half.

Then Crenshaw displayed its repertoire of three-point shooting.

Antonio Simpson made two three-point baskets and Ronnie Arch added another to spark the Cougars on a 13-2 run over the next 1:48, and put Crenshaw in control for good at 38-24.

Crenshaw maintained its momentum, taking a 48-36 lead by halftime.

Williams fouled out 1:37 into the third quarter, but it didn’t seem to matter for the Cougars, who held their lead without difficulty.

Fairfax threatened briefly in the fourth quarter. Trailing by 10 points, 74-64, the Lions put together a 12-4 run, capped by a three-point basket at the buzzer by Davis, but it was not enough.

Simpson led Crenshaw with 24 points and Davis, who is headed to Arizona State next season, led Fairfax with 26.