Chaminade comes up short against rival Crespi

The last time these two teams faced off we saw an entertaining, high-scoring game, that was won by Chaminade in overtime.  This game could not have been more different, with Chaminade losing, 52-41.

Both teams struggled out of the gate, and the whole game was about the hustle plays and toughness. The matchup between talented Mission League teams was not the only battle going on. The two best student sections in the area were both in full effect, with Chaminade dressing in their camouflage clothes, and Crespi wearing their usual Hawaiian theme.

Coach White of Crespi definitely knows how to slow down a powerful Chaminade offense.  The defense collapsed every time Michael Oguine got into the paint, and shooters Nick Henzgen and Aidan Dolan had a defender draped all over them the whole game.  

Dolan hit a three to start off the second quarter, but did not get any open looks after that. Williams College commit Jake Porath had one of his best offensive games of the season, scoring 10 points, including a team-high three three-pointers.  A team that heavily relies on the three ball, the Eagles were just five-of-20 from deep, and 13-of-51 from the field.

The Celts led, 25-20, at halftime.

Porath started off the second half with a three pointer, and Chamiande went ice cold for the next three and a half minutes.  Crespi went on a 9-0 run until Oguine finally hit two free throws late in the third.  

Chaminade trailed, 39-30, going into the fourth quarter, when they started going to Oguine in the post.  Nine of Oguine’s team high 17 points came in the fourth quarter, as he used his size and touch around the basket to try to bring his team back.  The Eagles failed to take advantage of a series of defensive stops down the stretch, and ended up losing.  

Ogundiran added in nine points, seven rebounds and five assists.  Chaminade was again without guard Dylan Cuenca, who has missed the last three games due to a concussion suffered against Loyola.  The Eagles were also without big man Bar Milo, who traveled to AT&T Stadium (home of the Cowboys) in Dallas to take part in national signing day.  

The story of the game was the size advantage that Crespi took advantage of.  Mitch Mykhaylov scored 10 of his 14 points in the first half, and was a key part to the Celts effort to stop Oguine.  De’Anthony Melton scored 14 points, mostly in the paint.    

The Eagles now stand at a rough 4-5 in league, and will travel to Harvard-Westlake on Friday.  Harvard-Westlake and Alex Copeland shocked the Eagles at Chaminade the last time the two faced off.  

-Matt Patterson