Crenshaw Holds Off Palisades for 76-75 Win

Crenshaw High’s Onye Ibekwe made two free throws with six seconds left, securing a 76-75 victory over 13th-seeded Palisades in the first round of the City Section boys’ basketball playoffs Friday night at Crenshaw.

Crenshaw led, 74-72, when Palisades guard Chanson Smyth missed a three-point attempt from the corner. Ibekwe grabbed the rebound and was fouled.

“Coach [Willie West] told me to box out and that it was my job to get the rebound, so I just tried to make sure I had good position,” said Ibekwe, a 6-foot-7 forward who scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

Crenshaw took its first lead since the first quarter when sophomore guard Marcus Williams made a running jumper in the lane with 32 seconds left to give the Cougars a 74-72 lead.

“Marcus asked for the ball during a timeout and so we let him take it,” West said.

Williams finished with 20 points and 11 assists.

Crenshaw (20-5) will play Coliseum League rival Dorsey, a 90-71 winner Friday over Venice, in a quarterfinal Wednesday.

The teams split two games this season.

Senior guard Marko Mihailovic scored 33 points for Palisades (17-8), which led, 44-39, at halftime and had four players foul out.