Predictably, the top-seeded Crossroads girls’ basketball team advanced through the first week of the CIF playoffs.
Surprisingly, so did the Crossroads boys who were on the verge of not being invited after losing seven league games.
The girls, coached by Kevin Cormier, routed Noli Indian School of San Jacinto 71-11 Saturday night, February 16, in the Crossroads gym. The Roadrunners scored 50 points in the first half and substitutes played most of the way after that.
Shannon McQueen was Crossroads’ leading scorer with 22 points.
The Roadrunners were scheduled for another home game Wednesday night, February 20, against Sacred Heart of Jesus, a team from downtown Los Angeles.
Should Crossroads keep advancing, it could meet one or two teams from its Delphic League, the strongest one in its division.
The Crossroads boys had to travel for a wild card game Wednesday, February 13, and defeated Century High of Santa Ana, 56-40. That earned Crossroads a first round game two nights later, again on the road. Once more, Coach Kevin Jackson’s squad prevailed, 66-52, over Monrovia.
The St. Monica boys and girls didn’t fare as well. Both lost opening-round games and were eliminated.
The St. Monica boys were defeated by Hillcrest Christian of Granada Hills, 55-51. The Mariners finished with an 18-9 record.
The St. Monica girls lost to Windward, 64-34, and finished with a 15-12 record. It was a young team that offers a lot of promise for next season.
The New Roads girls, who won the Harbor League with an 8-0 record, were also eliminated. The Jaguars lost to Brethren Christian, 48-40, in the 4-AA division.
The Brentwood boys’ team had its season ended in the first playoff round by La Canada High, 62-45. The Eagles’ record was 11-15.
In the Los Angeles City Section, one of the best teams in Palisades High history had its season ended as the Pali boys lost to Cleveland High, 68-64.
Palisades finished 24-7. Playing in the Western League against two of the best teams in California, the Dolphins lost twice each to Westchester and Fairfax, but lost only three other times.
At one point Palisades was ranked third in the league but fourth in the entire City section.
The Palisades girls routed Franklin in their first round game, 69-32.
The season ended for the Venice girls as they lost a first round playoff game to perennial powerhouse Narbonne High, 87-41.
However, it continued for the Venice boys in a 70-50 victory over Garfield.
