The Crenshaw boys basketball team won a crucial game against the Washington Prep Generals 75-67. The Cougars now have a 23-2 overall record and an 8-1 Coliseum League record.
Crenshaw boys basketball head coach Ed Waters noted how the Cougars were in a three-way tie with King/Drew and Washington Prep.
“We’re having kind of a magical season, this was a big game for us,” Waters said. “We took care of business at home.”
The Cougars had a six-point run late in the first quarter and kept their momentum going into the next phase. Washington Prep earned several points on the free throw line, as the Generals took eight trips there in the second quarter alone. Crenshaw stayed in the lead by forcing turnovers.
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By halftime, the Cougars were up 39-27 against the Generals.
Washington Prep used their 6’8” forward Zyier Beverly and 6’7’ center Estaban Mann to battle against the Cougars.
“It was a matter of we have to stop their bigs because whenever a big goes up, they’re gonna call a foul and we are an undersized team,” said Crenshaw guard King Kyni Peterson. “It’s either we got to stop them by stepping in front of them or at least put a hand up and get the best contest we can.”
As they scored points from the field and from the free throw line, Peterson sank five three-point shots in four regulated minutes. The Generals then went on a 14-4 run, putting them within four points of the Cougars at the end of the third quarter.
Free throws by Beverly would give the Generals a lead, but the Crenshaw offense held strong as regulation ran down.
“Coach says when you turn the ball over, just keep running the floor and stay alert and that’s what I did,” said Jeremiah Blackmon. “You got to stay disciplined, when you stay disciplined, we can always come through because we’re conditioned for it, grinding every day.”
The Cougars are currently on a six-game winning streak. Waters noted how the team’s chemistry has been an asset.
“They like each other, they play together, they’re unselfish,” Waters said. “When you have a team like that, it can negate height, and they can get it done.”
The Cougars will play their final in-season game on Friday, February 3 when they host King/Drew with the JV game starting at 4:30P.M. and the varsity game beginning at 6:00P.M. This game will decide what team will earn the Coliseum League title.
