Price High School's Skylar Spencer goes up for a shot during the Southern Regional Division IV semifinal against Pacific Hills Saturday. Price won, 59-50. (Photo by Gary McCarthy)
Story Created:
Mar 15, 2010 at 10:51 AM PST
Story Updated:
Mar 15, 2010 at 1:39 PM PST
When the going gets tough, that’s the time Price High School goes to Allen Crabbe.
With a trip to the Southern Regional finals hanging in the balance, the Knights received a big second half from the 6-foot-6 California signee to defeat visiting Pacific Hills, 59-50 in the boys Division IV semifinals Saturday.
The top-seeded Knights (32-3) now face San Diego Francis Parker at 7 p.m. Saturday at Ontario’s Colony High for the right to play in next week’s state title game. Parker (20-9) advanced with a 77-60 victory over San Diego Horizon Christian.
Crabbe had 28 points, 12 rebounds, plus a key steal and blocked shot to rescue Price, which led by only four points midway through the fourth quarter against a team they beat by 19 points Jan. 23.
Pacific Hills (19-12) was a more formidable opponent this time around and led by eight points late in the first half before Price went on a run to lead, 31-29 at the break.
“Their zone slowed us down,” Price coach Michael Lynch said. “The first time we played them, they were in a man defense.”
Leading only 50-46, Price turned to Crabbe, who went 4-for-4 from the free throw line, came up with a key steal and drilled a 3-pointer to put the Knights up, 57-47 with two minutes left. Crabbe was a perfect 11-for-11 from the line for the game.
Askia Booker added 11 points and 6-7 sophomore Skylar Spencer came off the bench to get six points and seven rebounds. Center Richard Solomon had nine rebounds.
Pacific Hills hung tough behind Julian Benarouche, who had 16 points, four rebounds and four assists, Geoffrey Allen, who had 13 points and seven rebounds, and Marc Porter, who had 13 points.
Lynch felt Price was its own worst enemy at times.
“I think we frustrated ourselves by depending on jumpshots too much,” he said.
Still, he was happy just to be moving on.
“Whether it was by two points or 10 points, we got the win,” he said. “We’re playing again and that’s what is critical.”
He credits a tough schedule that included Centennial, Pasadena, Windward, Oceanside El Camino, Oakland McClymonds, Bishop O’Dowd and Eisenhower with preparing them when times got difficult in the playoffs.
“I credit our schedule for helping us pull out games when things are close,” he said.
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