Crocker Cooks Up Another Big Los Alamitos Basketball Victory

Los Alamitos High's boys basketball team steam-rolled its way through the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 1AA playoffs, powering its way to a 74-59 victory over Lynwood Wednesday night at Los Alamitos High.

Senior guard Camryn Crocker had a game to remember, leading the Griffins with 27 points.

“We need our big guns to show up in the playoffs,” said Griffins coach Eddie Courtemarche of his captain. “Camryn took over.”

Los Alamitos (21-8) also received big contributions from junior forwards Ryan Hurst and Michael Mason in the absence of 6-foot-7-inch senior Justin Kaminski, who was out with a knee injury. Hurst scored 16 points and Mason dropped 10 points on the Knights in his most extended playing time of the season.

“It’s a great feeling and I hope we can do it again on Friday,” said Mason of the Griffins’ dominant victory.

The Griffins will host third-seeded Corona Centennial (24-3) in a second-round game Friday at 7 p.m. Home-court advantage was determined by a coin flip earlier in the week.

“We are at home and it’s going to be loud,” said Hurst noting that the home crowd gives his team a huge energy boost.

Los Alamitos' highest scoring output in its last 13 games gave it the comfortable double-digit victory.

The Griffins opened the game on a 13-4 run, but sloppy post defense allowed the Knights (12-12) to close the gap to 17-15 at the end of the first quarter. Los Alamitos was looking lost on defense without Kaminski. Senior forward Henry Igboke picked up two quick fouls, and it looked as if the Griffins would be short-handed in the paint.

Mason reassured the Griffins faithful that the bench had plenty of fire power, getting three lay-ups in the first two minutes of the second quarter to extend the lead to 23-17. Los Alamitos opened up a 38-29 advantage at the half.

In the third quarter, it was Crocker’s turn to put his stamp on the game. He scored 11 points in the quarter to help the Griffins extend their lead to 58-42 going into the final frame.

Lynwood battled back early in the fourth quarter. The Knights used a 9-4 run to cut its deficit to 62-51, giving Lynwood's fans something to cheer about. Crocker silenced the Knights’ supporters, however, by knocking down a tough jumper as the shot clock expired. Los Alamitos’ students were singing Crocker’s name after he capped off his heroics with a slam dunk.

“It’s real special to be a part of something like this,” said Crocker, reiterating his statement that the tradition at Los Alamitos is something that he does not plan to see end on his watch.

It was a homecoming for Lynwood guard Cedric Ross, who attended Los Alamitos as a freshman. Ross scored 16 points.

“The kid’s heart is gigantic and he would do anything for this team,” said Knights coach Anja Wilson of Ross. “Give me five of him and I’ll play them every night.”

As the Griffins prepare for Corona Centennial, Courtemarche has made it clear that defense is his main priority.

“They are very talented,” said Courtemarche of the Griffins’ second-round opponent. “We just have to find a way to stop their three guards.”

The Huskies' three highly touted senior guards have each committed to Division 1 colleges: Dominique Dunning (New Mexico), Gelaun Wheelwright (Weber State) and Michael Caffey (Long Beach State).