PACIFIC OPEN : Washington Snaps Cougar Streak at 27

Washington High may not be a Crenshaw-killer but it has fared better against the Cougars than any other team in the area--or nation, for that matter.

Crenshaw’s last defeat was in January against Richland Northeast in the Beach Ball Classic in South Carolina, and its last loss to any California team was against Washington two years ago in the Pacific Open Tournament.

The Generals broke Crenshaw’s string of 27 consecutive wins Wednesday with a 96-80 victory in the championship game of the Pacific Open Tournament at Washington.

“We figured we had to play a half-court game to play with Crenshaw,” Washington Coach Andy Davis said. “We came out after halftime and decided to play a half-court game, which allowed (Patrick) Blake to step up” and work one-on-one against Crenshaw with the tempo slowed down.

Blake scored 23 of his game-high 34 points in the second half, including 10 in the fourth quarter.

Robert Gordon-Lamar added 31 points for Washington.

“We bumped on the defensive end and our defense became our offense,” said Gordon-Lamar.

Crenshaw suffered a big loss when Raymond Palmer was forced to sit out the entire third quarter with four fouls.

“It really hurt us when I had to sit out,” said Palmer, who scored 14 points but only two in the second half. “It’s just one game.”

One game that Ronnie Arch would like to forget.

“When the momentum changed and we were down, the team quit,” said Arch, who led the Cougars with 19 points and nine rebounds. “We’ll bounce back for sure.”

Records: Washington 10-1; Crenshaw 9-1