Boys’ basketball: Crenshaw wears down Palisades after slow start
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Crenshaw fell behind, 11-0, then picked up the energy and intensity and came away with a 56-49 victory over City Section rival Palisades in an opening game of the Santa Monica tournament on Monday night.
Andre Edwards scored 16 points and Trevell Garrett had 14, including six for six from the free-throw line in a game full of missed free throws.
Palisades lost point guard Jalon Wilson to a knee injury and Tyler Hildreth, who had 14 points, was in foul trouble in the third quarter when Crenshaw (3-2) turned up the defensive heat with a trapping defense.
Palisades held a 37-31 lead when Garrett was fouled. Palisades Coach James Paleno was assessed a technical. That allowed Garrett to make four consecutive free throws and help the Cougars build momentum.
‘They brought the intensity before us. That’s why it was 11-0,’ Crenshaw Coach Ed Waters said.
Crenshaw played with two football players, Mossi Johnson and Birdel Hodge, who had little time to practice after playing in Saturday’s City Section Division I final against Narbonne. And it showed, particularly with their free-throw shooting.
‘Mossi was throwing footballs at the basket,’ Waters joked.
With a little practice, the Cougars will be tough to beat in the Coliseum League. Palisades unveiled 6-foot-8 Dakota Chambers, who missed last season with a knee injury. He hustled his way to 11 points.
Both schools have lots of improving to do to catch up with title favorites El Camino Real and Westchester. Crenshaw will face Santa Monica, a 63-49 winner over Oaks Christian, in Wednesday’s 8 p.m. quarterfinals.
Loyola defeated Cleveland, 61-39. Thomas Welsh had 18 points, Trey Mason 17 and Parker Jackson-Cartwright contributed 10 assists. Loyola will play Brentwood in Wednesday’s 6:30 p.m. quarterfinals. Brentwood defeated Providence, 66-44. Former Loyola assistant Ryan Bailey coaches Brentwood. Leland King scored 17 points.
-- Eric Sondheimer