Byline: Jacob H. Pollon Special to the Daily News
Without Blake Stanton and Matt Mounier, few in attendance at Fairfax High gave Crespi of Encino any chance of beating the host Lions in a first-round game of the 23rd annual Nike Fairfax Summer Classic boys' basketball tournament.
Although the Celts suffered a 66-57 setback, Crespi gave the Lions a scare.
The Celts scored the game's first 11 points, led 19-7 at one point and didn't relinquish the lead until midway through the second half. Crespi had four players in double figures, led by sophomore-to- be Justin Rubia's 15 points.
The Celts are finding ways to adjust without key players and the loss of Michael Avery, who transferred to a boarding school out of state.
'It has been hard to adjust and play through things,' Crespi forward Reggie Coates said. 'We have to learn how to play through situations. We have a lot of new guys from J.V. When we get Blake (Stanton) back it will help because he is a senior guard.'
Taking on all comers
St. Francis of La Canada Flintridge hasn't exactly been a basketball powerhouse the past several years but the Golden Knights are trying to turn things around by playing as much as possible and scheduling tough tournaments.
Despite a 70-46 loss to Long Beach Poly, St. Francis played hard, led by 17 points from guard Tommy Jordan.
Area teams shut out
Usually Taft of Woodland Hills or Harvard-Westlake advance to the second round but both teams lost Tuesday. If La Canada loses to Mater Dei of Santa Ana as expected, it would mean all six area entries would fall into the consolation bracket.
Second-round schedule
Games today include Taft vs. St. Francis at 4 p.m.; Campbell Hall vs. Loyola at 5:30p.m.; Westchester vs. Leuzinger at 7 p.m. and Mater Dei vs. Serra at 8:30 p.m. The 7and 8:30 p.m. games are championship semifinals.
Friday's schedule: Harvard- Westlake vs. La Canada at 4p.m., Crespi vs. Dorsey at 5:30 p.m., Fairfax vs. Santa Monica at 7 p.m. and Long Beach Poly vs. Orange Lutheran at 8:30p.m. The final is scheduled for 6p.m. Sunday.
jack.pollon@dailynews.com
