Crenshaw Beats Fremont Again to Reach 4-A Semifinals, 84-65

The way Fremont Coach Sam Sullivan saw it, the Pathfinders faced a no-lose situation Friday against Crenshaw.

“If we lose, everyone expects that because we’re facing the top-seeded team,” Sullivan said. “If we win, we’ll shake up the City.”

The Cougars maintained their playoff mastery of Fremont, winning, 84-65, in a City 4-A quarterfinal game at Crenshaw.

Fremont guard Rickey Brown scored 16 points to lead the Pathfinders, who finished the season at 18-8. Crenshaw improved to 22-2 and will play Westchester on Tuesday.

The Pathfinders, who were moved to 4-A this season after winning two consecutive 3-A titles, have not beaten Crenshaw in a playoff game during Sullivan’s 12 years as coach.

Tremaine Fowlkes, a 6-6 junior forward, led Crenshaw with 21 points and 15 rebounds.

Leading, 31-24, at halftime, Crenshaw used its full-court press to score eight unanswered points and extend its lead to 15.

That was the key to the game, according to Sullivan. “We were down by seven, and they scored eight straight points to put us away,” he said.

It became a free-throw contest for Crenshaw, which made 19 of 27 attempts during the second half.