Crespi Rocked by Chaminade

In a season of Mission League madness, where almost every matchup between the league’s title contenders goes down to the final seconds, Chaminade High is finding a way to win.

Dozens of fans were turned away when more than 1,200 people packed Crespi’s gymnasium Friday night. It was a party-like atmosphere, with two electric guitarists and a drummer adding to a concert-like noise level.

There were seven lead changes and six ties before Chaminade (17-3, 6-1 in league play) turned to a group of unsung players and emerged with a 52-46 victory over Crespi (15-6, 5-3).

“Every win in this league is a big win,” Coach Jeff Young of Chaminade said.

Crespi did what it takes to beat Chaminade. The Celts shut down 6-foot-9 Scott Borchart, who made one of seven shots through three quarters. They made point guard Cayce Cook look nonexistent with one point.

But nobody from Crespi counted on sophomore Ryan Arceo and seniors Clarence Mitchell, Chris Canoles and Darren Tarlow to bail out the Eagles.

Arceo made three three-pointers and finished with 12 points. Mitchell had a four-point play and a three-point play. Canoles hustled all over the court, pulling down key rebounds. Tarlow contributed a basket and two free throws in the fourth quarter.

“The other players took over,” forward Blake Tibbetts of Crespi said.

If there ever was a sign that Chaminade is ready to defend its Mission title, this was it.

The Eagles lost to Crespi in their league opener because they were a two-man team. The improvement in the players around Borchart and Cook shows how far the Eagles have progressed.

“We’re starting to play more as a team and getting team chemistry,” Arceo said. “We’re not one dimensional anymore. Different people are stepping up.”

Not that Borchart can be forgotten for an entire game. Just when Chaminade needed him most, he delivered in the fourth quarter with three baskets.

The game was tied, 40-40, when Borchart powered his way for layup with 2:31 left. Tarlow added a free throw, Borchart followed with a rebound basket and Arceo made a shot, giving Chaminade a 47-40 lead with 1:50 left.

Young isn’t about to celebrate a Mission title just yet. He’ll probably have to wait until after a regular-season ending game against Alemany on Feb. 10.

But the Eagles have taken control of the race with consecutive victories over Alemany and Crespi on the road.

“It was awesome,” Young said of the atmosphere. “I’d like to play in front of a crowd like this every night.”

Crespi has lost two in a row and could be knocked out of the race if it doesn’t beat Alemany on Monday. But the Celts continue to earn respect from every opponent that’s taken to the limit.

“Crespi is a heck of a team,” Young said. “They compete so hard.”