Crossroads’ Title Run Is Stalled, Not Denied

Santa Monica Crossroads High point guard Baron Davis proved Friday night that he is talented enough to stop time.

The threat of Davis convinced Santa Ana Calvary Chapel Coach Craig Falconer to let Crossroads hold the ball for nearly five minutes of the fourth quarter, despite trailing by three points.

But when the break was over, a refreshed Davis scored 11 points in the final three minutes to lead Crossroads to a 50-41 victory in the Southern Section Division IV-A final at UC Irvine’s Bren Center.

Crossroads improved to 27-3 in winning its second consecutive divisional championship. Calvary Chapel fell to 24-5.

Falconer set his team in a 2-3 zone defense in the fourth quarter and stood around while Davis held the ball near halfcourt.

The crowd of 3,975 seemed more frustrated than the players. Boos sounded throughout the arena, calling for Davis to dribble the ball and start the offense. All they received from Davis was a smile and a couple of nods to friends in the stands.

“It didn’t bother us at all,” said Davis, who finished with 23 points. “It was a good time to rest and say hello to my girlfriend in the crowd. We knew they’d have to come out and play defense eventually.”

Joe Ortiz led Calvary Chapel with 13 points.

Santa Fe Springs St. Paul 64, Twentynine Palms 57--Wes Wilcox scored 17 points to lead four players in double figures and the Swordsmen captured the Division IV-AA title.

St. Paul, an at-large entry, improved to 17-13 and won its first basketball title.

Nadalini and Antwain Clark scored 13 points each for the Wildcats (22-6).

Santa Clara 51, Pasadena Poly 48--Sophomore reserve B.J. Ward made a pair of insurance free throws with 20 seconds left to secure the Division V-AA title for the Saints (23-4).

Ward, a 6-1 guard, had two rebounds off of Pasadena Poly misses in the final minute, had two critical fourth-quarter steals, finished with 10 points and led the team with four assists.

The title is the 14th for longtime Santa Clara Coach Lou Cvijanovich, but the first since 1992.

Top-seeded Poly (27-1) twice had a chance to tie in the final 20 seconds, but one three-point shot by 6-7 center Robert Reeder fell short and another by reserve Matt Lawler bounced off the rim as time expired.

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Today’s Games

* City Section Division 3-A

Bell vs. Franklin at Cal State L.A., 3 p.m.

* Southern Section Division I-AA

LB Poly vs. A.B. Miller at Pond of Anaheim, 6:45 p.m.

* Southern Section Division I-A

Mater Dei vs. Etiwanda at Pond, 8:30 p.m.

* Southern Section Division II-AA

Woodbridge vs. Villa Park at Pond, 2:45 p.m.

* Southern Section Division II-A

Artesia vs. Dominguez at Pond, 1 p.m.

* Southern Section Division III-AA

West Valley vs. Cathedral City at Pond, 11:15 a.m.

* Southern Section Division V-A

Pilgrim vs. Pacific Hills at Pond, 9:30 a.m.