Harris’ Play Sparks Crenshaw Past Fremont, 77-64

Crenshaw guard E.J. Harris suffered an ankle injury during a tournament in December and is working himself back into shape coming off the bench for the Cougars.

The Kansas State-bound senior showed Friday that he’s nearly recovered in Crenshaw’s 77-64 Coliseum League victory at Fremont.

Harris entered the game midway through the first quarter, made a three-point shot on his first field-goal attempt, and finished with 16 points as Crenshaw improved to 12-2 overall and 6-0 in league play.

“We knew we had to beat Fremont to avoid a possible tie going into the playoffs,” Harris said. “We had to step up and show we could shut them down.”

Fremont (14-8, 4-2) helped the Cougars by making only 23 of 44 free throws.

Harris and Crenshaw were able to slow Fremont guard Kenton Paulino, who scored 44 points in a 92-87 double-overtime loss at Crenshaw on Jan. 12, a game Harris missed because of his injury.

Paulino, who was averaging 30 points in league games, had 17 Friday, but 10 came on free throws. He made only one field goal in the first half and two in the fourth quarter when the Pathfinders used a 10-0 run to pull to within 67-60 with 3:49 left.

Crenshaw’s Marcus Williams made two baskets, Tommy Johnson had a basket and two free throws and Harris added two free throws as the Cougars pulled away for the victory.

“E.J. was the difference today,” said Crenshaw center Jamaal Walls, who scored 15 points. “Having him in there helped us out a lot.”

Johnson scored 18 points and Taylor Parsons added 13 for Crenshaw. Mark Bradforn scored 15 points, Darrell Sanford 11 and Willie Dunn 10 for Fremont.