Crenshaw Uses Power of the Press and Wins

It took longer than expected, but Crenshaw High got its anticipated victory, 78-69 over Long Beach Jordan, in a boys’ State Southern Regional Division I semifinal Thursday night at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Trailing 53-52, Crenshaw outscored Jordan, 26-16, in the fourth quarter. Alastair Faux and Derrick Anderson led the Cougar comeback by combining for 19 points in the quarter.

Crenshaw (28-5) will play Santa Ana Mater Dei (34-1) in the Southern Regional final at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Pond of Anaheim.

Faux finished with 20 points and Anderson with 13. Kevin Bradley led Crenshaw with 21.

Jordan (28-4) was led in scoring by Jeff Parris with 25 points. Ortege Jenkins added 15.

Crenshaw turned a close game into a 39-25 lead with four minutes left in the first half, but Jordan responded by scoring the next 14 points and tying the score, 39-39, with a minute left in the half.

In the second half, Crenshaw’s press began to wear on Jordan, and the Cougars continued to get easy second-chance baskets on the inside.

“The press really took its toll,” Jordan’s Scotty Graham said. “Plus they play like 10 players and we go only six deep.”