As Crossroads began the stretch drive of its basketball schedule this week, Coach Kevin Brown made an observation.
“Our destiny is in our hands,” he said.
With four games remaining before playoff berths are determined, Crossroads has 13 wins and is vying for one of three automatic bids the Olympic League will receive.
Campbell Hall is the runaway league leader – a team ranked 10th in the nation. Brentwood is second and there’s a tie for third between Crossroads and Windward.
However, Crossroads has completed its competition with Campbell Hall. Brentwood and Windward have to play them again.
Since Campbell Hall has won its league games by an average of 30 points – including a 73-35 victory over Crossroads last week – the possibility is strong that Brentwood and Windward will have another loss.
Crossroads has three of its four remaining games at home. Crossroads was at Windward Tuesday, January 30, with the result unavailable at press time, will be home Friday, February 2, at 7 p.m. against Brentwood, will play at Calvary Chapel February 6 and will be home against Montclair Prep February 8.
Games in the final week are scheduled on Tuesday and Thursday in order to leave Friday open for playoff tiebreakers, if necessary.
As for the loss against Campbell Hall, Brown said: “We competed against a very powerful team. Even though we were far behind, we did much better in the second half when we were outscored by only 26-20.
“Our practices have been sharp and we can still accomplish our team goals.”
In the previous two games Crossroads defeated Bosco Tech, 69-53, and Calvary Chapel, 56-38.
“Our defense has been improving steadily,” said Brown. “Calvary Chapel scored only four points in the first quarter against us and six in the third.”
In those two games Brown singled out center Conrad Liebowitz for his improvement and praised the senior leadership of Michael Ojo and James Wineberger.
