LAVERNE—Crossroad’s High School Basketball team faced a huge hurdle in the second round of the Division One CIF Playoffs on Friday, February 9. They faced the 1-2 punch of Damien of Laverne Senior Phenom Xavier Clinton and seven-foot Junior Center Nate Garcia, fresh off his dominant 28-point performance against the Etiwanda Eagles. This was for the championship of the very talented Baseline league where Damien prevailed 61-49.
Crossroads was also coming off a huge victory over Rancho Christian 67-64 in the first round of the playoffs. But in this next test they would be without Coco Britt, their starting point guard. He gave it a try in warmup. But ultimately was ruled out of the game.
Damien quickly established dominance inside with Garcia, who scored the first eight points of the game. They would take a 13-0 lead and never look back leading by as many as 32 points. The final score of 68-50, and it was never really that close. Xavier Clinton hit six three pointers on his way to a game high 24 points.
Damien looked well-rested after the first week bye, and the defense was smothering led by Eli Garner.
Damien advances and will play St. Bernard for a semifinal spot. Crossroads ends their season and will forward to next year.
