Craven Twins Power Bishop Montgomery

Torrance Bishop Montgomery raced to a 59-43 victory over Compton Centennial to capture the Southern Section Division III-AA boys’ championship at Loyola Marymount’s Gersten Pavilion on Friday.

Centennial (20-12) must have thought it was seeing double as twin junior guards Errick and Derrick Craven accounted for 28 points for Bishop Montgomery.

Errick, named the Knights’ player of the game, scored 16 and Derrick added 12.

Centennial, plagued by turnovers, countered with its low-post offense, mostly in the form of 6-foot-8 senior forward Ellis Myles, who scored 27 points and had 15 rebounds before fouling out with 1:52 left in the game and the Knights holding a 52-41 lead.

Errick Craven immediately took advantage of Myles’ departure by scoring on a dunk on the next possession.

The Knights (24-5) never relinquished their lead as the Apaches could only pull within seven points, 48-41, with 2:02 left.

Bishop Montgomery had a 33-19 halftime lead. Each twin scored 10 points in the first half. At the same time, Centennial could only answer with Myles’ 11 points as the Knights were successful using their collapsing defense around him every time he touched the ball.

Long Beach St. Anthony 61, Downey Calvary Chapel 57--The Saints (22-8) were led by guard Jared Lloyd’s 21 points and Pearson Smith’s 18 points as they defeated the Grizzlies (25-6) to win their first Division V-AA championship.

Although St. Anthony made only 10 of 18 free-throws, the game was decided at the line. Calvary Chapel converted 20 of 23, but it wasn’t enough.

With Calvary Chapel leading, 57-56, Lloyd made two free throws to put St. Anthony ahead.

On the Saints’ next possession, junior forward Jay Arizabal connected on two free throws to ice the game with six seconds remaining.

Calvary Chapel sophomore guard Timothy Drisdom led all scorers with 24 points and was named player of the game.

St. Anthony also received a strong effort from 6-8 senior Arlondo Holder, who scored 10 points, grabbed six rebounds and blocked six shots to establish an inside presence on both ends of the floor.