Crenshaw Rallies to Beat Santa Ana Valley, 88-80

Since it has lost only four times in its gym since 1970, it’s not often Los Angeles Crenshaw finds itself trailing late in a boys’ basketball game.

But the Cougars had to stage a tremendous late rally to hold off Santa Ana Valley, which had a 10-point lead going into the fourth quarter, but ultimately fell, 88-80, Thursday at Crenshaw.

Cougar forward Ronnie Arch was the catalyst, scoring 24 of his game-high 35 points in the second half. He scored 16 in the fourth quarter, including two three-pointers. Raymond Palmer added 14 for Crenshaw (5-0).

Leading the Falcons (3-2) was forward Ike Harmon, who had 31 points and 13 rebounds. Olujimi Mann added 16 points but fouled with 6:36 to play. Mann was one of three Falcons to foul out, but his loss hurt the most because he handled Crenshaw’s full-court press well.

No one missed him more than Harmon, who managed nine points in the quarter.

“We had (the game),” said Harmon, who also blocked five shots. “But we’ve got to show we have more than two players.”

Santa Ana Valley Coach Rich Prospero said he was pleased by the effort despite 28 turnovers. The Falcons, in turn forced 26 Crenshaw turnovers primarily using full-court pressure.

“I thought we represented ourselves and Orange County real well,” Prospero said. “No one has more (championship basketball) banners than these guys.”

Crenshaw Coach Willie West, who has three players back from last year’s State champion, knew he got a better game than he expected. “But we’ve been behind in games before,” West said. “In that fourth quarter, I wanted to see what we were made of. We still don’t have a real leader; just a bunch of guys who will play hard.”