Washington’s men’s basketball edge rival Crenshaw in overtime

Changing demographics, declining enrollments, and the rise of charter schools have certainly changed city section basketball, but one thing hasn’t. It was quite the scene Friday night at his prep in Washington, where Crenshaw faced a tough road his game looking to improve to his 18-1 record on the season.

The two teams went into overtime after a heavy regulation in which the game was stopped twice when administrators had to go to the court to separate players amid screaming fans and players jumping all over the place for loose balls. rushed into.

Crenshaw’s AJ Robinson tied the game at 69-69 in the basket with eight seconds left in regulation. He had the ball again with 5.9 seconds left in overtime along the baseline with the Cougars one down. That’s when Washington Prep’s 6-foot-8 Esteban Man blocked Robinson’s shot and took control of the ball as time expired, completing his 82-81 victory that changed Washington’s Preps season. I was.

Robinson did everything but carry water bottles for Crenshaw (17-2, 3-1). He threw clutch his shot after shot and from the free throw line he scored his 37 points for 12 of 13. He wears number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson and certainly pays homage.

“He’s a big player,” said Crenshaw coach Ed Waters.

Washington Prep has struggled at times this season with a 6-11 record. Coach Giovante King kept the team’s most talented player, Seire Beverley, on the bench for the entire first quarter, where he went 6-9, motivating him and helping the team score his 62-49 win on Wednesday. I’ve seen enough of them trying to send a message after being blown away by King/Drew.

Beverly ended up scoring 23 points and making four dunks in the third quarter.

“We were losing games because we didn’t want to be coached,” King said. “This is a great victory.”

Generals’ Devin Wilson hit two free throws with 13.4 seconds left in overtime to take the lead. Crenshaw had trouble most nights in dealing with his two big men in his Washington prep.

However, the Cougars continued to fight. Crenshaw’s football kicker for his team, Robert Salazar, was scoreless until in extra time he had two of his three shots. Another footballer, Jeremiah Blackmon, made a crucial free throw in overtime after struggling at the stipulated line.

Washington Prep’s Trayvon Robinson helped open up the Crenshaw defense by making four threes and finishing with 14 points.

It’s the season of balance in the city section. Harbor City Narbonne he is 10-9 but is considered a strong contender to win because of the presence of Marcus Adams Jr. who is 6-8. Crenshaw is one of another group of evenly matched teams fighting to face the Gauchos. That in itself shows how much change has happened.

“The Narbonne boy is like every player that was at City when the team had five or six players like him,” said Waters.

Yes, talent levels have declined, but Friday’s game showed players, coaches and fans can rise to the challenge of a neighborhood rivalry.

“It was the intensity of the playoffs,” said King.