Crescenta Valley Comes Up Short

Different day, some very different names, but still the same result--a lopsided loss for Crescenta Valley High against Muir.

The Falcons played slightly better than they did three weeks ago against the Mustangs, but not well enough to earn a share of the Pacific League boys’ basketball title, which will go to Muir, a 63-48 winner Tuesday at Muir.

Despite playing without Jimmy Goffredo, who averages 19.2 points and sat out because of mononucleosis, Crescenta Valley hung around for the first quarter, only to be done in by a poor second quarter in which it made one of 11 shots and was outscored, 17-5.

Two players recently called up from junior varsity saw significant playing time for the short-handed Falcons, who only had two scoring threats--James Jenkins with 25 points and Chris Tarne with 12.

Both sides agreed Goffredo’s absence was a factor, but that didn’t stop Muir (23-2, 9-0 in league play) from completing a season sweep.

“That’s obviously a big difference but at the same time, we beat them with their full team at their place,” Muir Coach Don Grant said. “We’re the outright league champs and we’ll take it.”

The Falcons improved upon a 26-point loss to Muir on Jan. 16, and received some good news off the court.

Goffredo, a sophomore guard, could return earlier than expected because blood tests revealed the mononucleosis has almost run its course.

“The doctor said he’s had it for a while, maybe up to six months, and didn’t know it,” Coach Jim Smiley said. “I shouldn’t have been so hard on the guy when he wasn’t playing better.”

Goffredo might play Thursday in a regular-season finale against Arcadia.

Goffredo’s replacement, junior-varsity call-up Chris Luansing, scored two points against Muir after scoring 18 points in his varsity debut Friday against Hoover.

In the first quarter, the Falcons (19-6, 7-2) had Luansing and another junior-varsity addition, Brendan Couper, on the floor.

“It’s been tough this week trying to get the new guys in and figure things out,” Jenkins said. “It just didn’t seem like we’re meshing right now.”

Joseph Frazier, who has committed to Cal State Northridge, scored 16 points for Muir despite aggravating a hip injury and sitting out the final 3:27 of the third quarter.

He returned for the fourth quarter, scored six points and ensured Muir of its eighth league title since 1991.

Crescenta Valley will make the playoffs for the 16th time in 17 seasons.