Crespi’s basketball team is starting to shine just in time for the start of the Mission League next month.
The Celts (11-4) advanced to the semifinals of the Classic’s toughest division in Damien with a 70-67 victory over Northern California powerhouse Richmond Salesians on Saturday.
Carter Barnes finished with 16 points and five assists. Jasiah Williams had 15 points. And, in a significant development for the Celts, 6-foot-10 transfer student Rodney Mukendi, who became eligible Friday, had nine points and eight rebounds in 13 minutes as he continues to earn playing time and makes the transition to integration.
Crespi will face the winner of St. John Bosco-Phoenix Sunnyslope in the Platinum Division semifinals on Monday.
Crean Lutheran 61, Texas Sandra Day O’Connor 60: Nick Giarrusso had 17 points and 12 rebounds to help Crean Lutheran advance to the Platinum Division semifinals.
Preparation of Rolling Hills 61, Arizona Mesa 47: Nick Welch Jr. had 25 points and 14 rebounds to advance Rolling Hills Prep (12-2) to the Gold Division semifinals at Damien.
Nevada Liberty 61, Etiwanda 59: The Eagles (15-1) lost in overtime at Damien.
Eastvale Roosevelt 65, Utah American Fork 61: Sloane Harris had 26 points for Roosevelt.
Corona Centennial 70, Idaho Owyee 46: Stanford commit Isaiah Rogers scored 21 points for Centennial.
Mayfair 55, Palisades 49: Josiah Johnson finished with 27 points for Mayfair.
Campbell Hall 75, Washington Prep 69: Ean Britt finished with 23 points for Campbell Hall.
Saint Pius X-St. Matthias 67 years old, De La Salle 64: In double overtime, the Warriors took the upper hand. Kayleb Kearse scored 23 points and Dominic Gallardo 16.
Crossroads 65, California 58: Shalen Sheppard, cleared by the South Section after transferring from Brentwood, scored 19 points for Crossroads.
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 85, Saint-Augustin 47: NaVorro Bowman had 17 points for 10-4 Notre Dame. Josiah Nance added 15 points.
Saint Anthony 64, Tesoro 55: Jamil House had 24 points and seven rebounds for St. Anthony.
Calabasas 76, Menlo 53: JR Hughes had 24 points and 14 rebounds for Calabasas.
Viewpoint 62, Palo Verde 43: Solomon Clanton Jr. finished with 21 points for 10-2 Viewpoint.
Harvard-Westlake 83, Idaho Mountain View 28: Joe Sterling had 27 points, Dominique Bentho had 11 points and 13 rebounds and Cole Holden scored 10 points for the Wolverines 15-2.
Santa Margarita 95, Nevada Clark 69: Drew Anderson scored 24 points, Kaiden Bailey 20 and Brayden Kyman 19 for the 15-2 Eagles.
Brentwood 67, Newport Beach Pacifica Christian 65: AJ Okoh had 30 points in the double overtime win. Ethan Hill added 13 points and 12 rebounds. Brentwood is 15-1.
Saint Francis 71, Pilibos 49: Luke Paulus had 20 points and Cherif Millogo 17 for the Golden Knights.
Girls basketball
Windward 68, Mgr Montgomery 50: Angelina Habis scored 37 points, including eight threes, for a Windward team that improved after the restless transfer window ended Friday. Charis Rainey added 21 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.
Sierra Canyon 72, San Juan Hills 22: Emilia Krstevski finished with 16 points and Payton Montgomery had 12 rebounds for an 11-1 Sierra Canyon lead.
St. Anthony 78, North Torrance 52: Laila Hughes led St. Anthony (12-2) with 29 points.
