Fremont Delivers Against Crenshaw

Fremont High was regarded as a challenger for the City Section basketball title before the season began and the Pathfinders did nothing to tarnish that status through their first 17 games.

Still, there were lingering questions about Fremont’s ability to defeat Coliseum League rival and longtime nemesis Crenshaw, let alone defending City champion Westchester and Fairfax.

Fremont answered those questions with exclamation points Wednesday, beating Crenshaw, 78-77, before a deafening capacity crowd at Fremont.

It was the Pathfinders’ first victory over 16-time City and eight-time state champion Crenshaw since a regular-season game in 1996. Last season, the Cougars beat Fremont twice in league play and in the City semifinals.

“They’ve been a roadblock for us for a long time,” Fremont senior Kenton Paulino said. “It’s good to finally get over the hump.”

The victory also helped remove what Fremont Coach Sam Sullivan described before the game as “a giant elephant on our back.”

“Crenshaw was a thorn in our side for a long time, but it has gotten to be much, much bigger than a thorn,” said Sullivan, who has been coaching at Fremont for 23 years and has won three 3-A titles.

Fremont won Wednesday with balance. Paulino, a guard, scored 17 points, including three on a basket and free throw that gave Fremont a 77-74 lead with 56 seconds left. Forward Earl Felix had 14 points, guard Kenneth Eatmon 12, forward Willie Dunn 11 and swingman Mark Bradford 10.

In addition, guards Eric Webb and Darrell Sanford did an outstanding job taking care of the ball against Crenshaw’s press and set up teammates for several easy baskets.

Fremont, however, made it interesting by wasting a 13-point third-quarter lead. Victory was not secured until Dunn knocked the ball away from Crenshaw guard Marcus Williams on a drive to the basket in the final seconds.

Fremont improved to 14-4 overall and 5-0 in the Coliseum League. Crenshaw is 14-3 and 5-1.

“They’ve got heart,” Williams said. “They fought through the pressure and came out on top today. I think it will be different next time.”

It might be if Williams plays again the way he did Wednesday.

The sophomore guard took a back seat last season to City player of the year Tommy Johnson as the Cougars advanced to the City final. This season, he is maturing into one of the top guards in the Southland.

“I don’t want to see that boy for the next two years!” Sullivan said.

Williams scored 27 points against Fremont, including the Cougars’ final three on an acrobatic drive to the basket and subsequent free throw that made the score, 77-77, with 50 seconds left.

Crenshaw’s Dominic Johnson fouled Eatmon 10 seconds later, and Eatmon made one of two free throws to put the Pathfinders ahead, 78-77.

Williams missed a leaning jumper with 25 seconds left, and Dunn was fouled during the scramble for the rebound. Dunn missed two free throws, setting the stage for Williams’ final drive--and Dunn’s steal.

Forward Terrence Jones scored 16 points for Crenshaw, which was held without a basket during a span of 6:20 in the third quarter.

Fremont knows it is in for a challenge when it travels to Crenshaw on Feb. 9. But Pathfinder players and coaches were feeling confident after their noteworthy victory.

“Other teams in the City and the state have to worry about us,” Paulino said. “We’re still not playing our best ball. When we do that, I don’t know if we can be beat.”