The Mission League hype was in full focus as the Crespi Celts played hosts to the Alemany Warriors. Early intensity was fueled by the competitive student sections in the highly anticipated contest. Both Alemany and Crespi entered the game undefeated in league play as well as state contenders.
Crespi assumed their dominant presence early as they hit five 3-pointers in the first quarter to trickle out to a 23-8 lead before Alemany’s Shacquille Dawkins hit a buzzer, beating 3-pointer to end the quarter and keep Alemany within striking distance. Dawkins finished with a game high 28 points despite early shooting woes.
The second quarter was much of the same for Alemany as they had a hard time shooting the ball and defending Crespi’s transition offense led by USC commit De’Anthony Melton who posted a team-high 25 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Crespi made a total of seven 3-pointers in the first half and went into halftime with a comfortable 41-22 lead.
The third quarter proved to show Crespi’s offensive and defensive prominence as they flaunted their shooting, speed, and perimeter play. This play helped propel them to a 23-point lead at one point and silencing the Alemany student section. The only bright spot of the third quarter for Alemany was Dawkins who hit four 3-pointers in the quarter but couldn’t cut the substantially cut the deficit as the Warriors went into the final quarter down, 56-38.
As the fourth quarter loomed on Alemany, only hoped history would repeat itself as last year Crespi gave up a 12-point lead late in the fourth quarter. However, that was history and the Celts made sure of it. With under two minutes in the game, both teams emptied out their benches and Crespi’s winning streak grew to 20 games after a 79-59 victory. Both teams will continue onto their second round of league play.
