Crescenta Valley Bottoms Out in First-Place Game

The numbers came trickling in, like a slow-motion lotto drawing:

* Five points in the first quarter.

* Seven points in the third quarter.

* One three-pointer in the game.

* Eleven baskets in 53 attempts.

* Twenty-six missed shots by two standout players.

It wasn’t a game to remember for Crescenta Valley High, which hoped to hit the jackpot against Muir but was left with the equivalent of an empty coin tray after a 61-35 loss in a Pacific League boys’ basketball game Tuesday at Crescenta Valley.

The Falcons were hammered in every phase of the game, from rebounding and turnovers, to hustle and heart.

Make no mistake about it, Muir (16-2, 3-0 in league play) took the first step toward a league title. A big step.

Crescenta Valley (14-4, 2-1) was left in a state of disarray, pinwheeling its arms for balance after losing for the fourth time in six games.

“We didn’t believe in our sets [on offense],” Coach Jim Smiley said. “We didn’t seem to have the patience or composure. It’s very upsetting.

“I can’t wait to watch the game film to decide how much of it was them and how much of it was us. It’s the worst shooting night I can remember.”

The game started well enough for the Falcons, who led, 4-1. The highlights ended there for Crescenta Valley, which made five of 28 shots in the first half and was outrebounded in the game, 33-24.

“Offensively and off the glass, we just reacted badly,” said James Jenkins, who had 14 points and was the only Crescenta Valley player with more than seven points. “We couldn’t get a rebound to save our life.”

Jimmy Goffredo, who has battled a hip injury, made two of 20 shots, and Chris Tarne, who scored 48 points against Victor Valley two weeks ago, was two of 10.

Muir, with its suffocating defense and drive-the-ball-upcourt offense, had several runs, including three 6-0 stretches in the second half.

Crescenta Valley wasn’t the only team stunned by the efficiency of the Mustangs’ four-guard offense.

“It’s a shocker,” said Muir Coach Don Grant. “We expected it to be a war for 32 minutes. We’ll take it, and know that [in the rematch] at our place we’ll have to prepare for 32 minutes.”

Joseph Frazier, a 6-foot-3 guard who has signed with Cal State Northridge, scored 10 points and Jamaal Hall scored 15 for Muir, which has lost to Torrance Bishop Montgomery in overtime and to Lakewood Mayfair.

Crescenta Valley played with its full team for the second consecutive game, a rarity because of injuries that have sidetracked the Falcons since a 12-0 start.

The Falcons have one thing to be thankful for--this isn’t football. They’ll get another chance to play Muir, on Feb. 6 at Muir.

“Last year, Pasadena beat us by 20 and in the second round [of league play], we took care of them,” Smiley said. “We have to take each league game and make the next one against Muir count.”