BREAKING: Jason Crowe Jr. electrified the court with 49 points as the Inglewood Sentinels narrowly defeated the St. Bernard Vikings 78-71 in a thrilling showdown on Saturday at the St. Bernard Viking Shore Showdown in Playa Del Rey. This pivotal game showcased a fierce competition between two high-scoring stars, Crowe and Vikings’ standout, Brandon Granger.
The match intensified as Crowe and Granger traded baskets, with the Sentinels leading by just a point at halftime. With 4:14 left in the third quarter, Granger was substituted out, allowing Crowe to unleash a 12-4 run that expanded Inglewood’s lead to a staggering 17 points by the fourth quarter—an advantage that proved insurmountable for St. Bernard.
In a post-game interview, Crowe reflected on the team’s strategy:
“The third quarter was the separating quarter as we built the lead up by playing tough defense,”
he stated. “We got up by 17 early in the fourth quarter and we knew they couldn’t come back from there.”
Crowe’s stellar performance not only solidified his legacy with a career total of 3,957 points but also highlighted his leadership as a senior. He scored 8 points in the first quarter and dominated the second with 14 points, showcasing his offensive prowess throughout the matchup.
Meanwhile, Granger shone for St. Bernard, putting up 28 points and making a significant impact with five steals. After a slow start, he exploded for 18 points in the second quarter, keeping the Vikings competitive. Granger commented on the atmosphere:
“I just had to stay poised. I knew there was going to be a big crowd. It shows the work I have been putting in has paid off.”
Inglewood’s Conerly also contributed significantly, hitting two crucial three-pointers and delivering a highlight-reel dunk that energized his teammates. “J2 really stepped it up in the second half and it helped his teammates out,” Conerly noted after the game.
Despite the loss, St. Bernard head coach Bernard McCrumby expressed optimism about his team’s progress:
“Growth and confidence is what I’m seeing from our team. We just are trying to get our kids to believe they can play with anyone,”
he said. With key players set to return soon, the Vikings are poised for a stronger performance in upcoming games.
As the basketball season heats up, fans are eager to see how both teams will evolve, particularly with Crowe aiming for regional and state championships. The thrilling matchup between Inglewood and St. Bernard has undoubtedly set the stage for an exciting season ahead.
