Crespi vs. Harvard-Westlake: Top Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>STUDIO CITY — Saturday's Mission League tournament quarterfinal matchup between Crespi and Harvard-Westlake ended in an upset of sorts. The Celts took their defense on the road and avenged a near 30-point loss to the Wolverines earlier in the season with a 57-52 win to advance to the semifinals of the Mission League tourney. Below we break down our top performers by category.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Best Scorers: [player_tooltip player_id='2194692' first='Isaiah' last='Barnes'], Crespi | [player_tooltip player_id='1956504' first='Joe' last='Sterling'], Harvard-Westlake</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>On Barnes: </em>Barnes put together an efficient offensive performance, scoring 19 points on 5-for-10 from the field and 8-for-8 from the free throw line. What makes the 6-foot-2 guard so effective is his confidence and aggressiveness in downhill attacking situations. Barnes uses his strength and physicality to absorb bumps, stay on balance and score through contact or get to the free throw line where he connects at a high clip.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>On Sterling: </em>The Texas-bound senior has been dealing with face-guarding, double-teams and off-ball physicality throughout the season but still manages to put up lethal offensive numbers. Sterling was responsible for nearly half of the Wolverines' points as he scored 25 points on 7-for-15 from the field and 6-for-11 from three-point range. The 6-foot-3 combo guard used his deep shot-making ability to spark a late run for the Wolverines but it wasn't enough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Do-It-All Performer: [player_tooltip player_id='2435388' first='Jasiah' last='Williams'], Crespi</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Williams stat-line wasn't earth-shattering but it was balanced and impactful as he tallied eight points, seven rebounds and five assists all while guarding multiple positions at a high level. The 6-foot-3 wing started the game defending Sterling but switched on to every other guard Harvard-Westlake put out there and he even spent time on the Wolverines' big men.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Best Glue Guy: [player_tooltip player_id='2916734' first='Cayman' last='Martin'], Crespi</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Martin is the type of player every high school team needs because he doesn't require a ton of touches or plays called for him to be an impactful player. The 6-foot-5 forward is a high energy and motor player who can face-up and attack bigger, slower defenders for drives and finishes to his right and left hands. Martin finished with 10 points, all in the painted area, on 5-for-5 from the field.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Best Reserve: [player_tooltip player_id='2949571' first='Rodney' last='Mukendi'], Crespi</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot-8 center contributed seven points and five rebounds off the bench but it was his physical interior defense and great energy that earned him the spot of best reserve in this game. The junior was plugging up driving lanes in ball screen defense coverages, contesting shots at the rim, boxing out with force and set some big screens to free up his guards on the offensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4 class="wp-block-heading">Best Big Man: [player_tooltip player_id='1956502' first='Dominique' last='Bentho'], Harvard-Westlake</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bentho made his presence felt in the painted area in the second half as Harvard-Westlake attempted to mount a comeback. The UC Irvine-bound center scored seven of his 10 points in the third quarter off of post-ups and cross-screens where he showed his quick hands and finishing touch around the rim. Bentho also added nine rebounds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->