Crenshaw High’s AJ Robinson ready to go distance in playoffs

Who knew that studying the best way to end a three-mile cross-country race interprets to the fourth quarter of an in depth basketball sport, when stress is constructing, stamina is being examined and adversity is commonly peaking.

“It helped us lots,” All-Metropolis guard AJ Robinson of Crenshaw Excessive stated in explaining how operating cross nation within the fall boosted the basketball crew to a 23-3 report within the common season and a spot on this week’s Metropolis Part Open Division playoffs.

“Finishing these three miles makes you are feeling so achieved. That was adversity. We all know the best way to maintain our composure. When one loses composure, we pull them again in. Once we’re in tight video games, calls aren’t going our means and followers are getting in our heads, we all know the best way to maintain our composure.”

It’s a wide-open subject within the Open Division, from No. 1 Harbor Metropolis Narbonne to No. 8 Westchester. Often throughout playoff time, a person participant or two elevates their crew into rivalry.

Senior level guard AJ Robinson has led Creshaw to a 23-3 report and wears No. 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson.

(Robert S. Helfman)

Robinson is a kind of able to stepping ahead to get the No. 6-seeded Cougars some wins. They open on Friday at No. 3 Fairfax.

Though Robinson just isn’t associated to the nice Jackie Robinson, he’s worn No. 42 whereas taking part in on sports activities groups since he was a 5-year-old in soccer to honor the Dodgers nice who broke baseball’s colour barrier.

“Carrying 42 is a tribute to excellence,” he stated.

Robinson, a 5-foot-9 senior, has a excessive sport of 37 factors whereas averaging 18 factors and almost six assists. He takes costs and understands the function of a degree guard.

“Through the years, I’ve been engaged on understanding when I’ve to attain and when to present the ball to teammates,” he stated. “I do know their strengths and weaknesses and methods to place them in the perfect place to attain. Taking part in level guard is 90% psychological.”

Crenshaw coach Ed Waters stated his crew’s conditioning exhibits as a result of the Cougars are averaging 20 factors within the first quarter and the identical within the fourth quarter, beginning recent and ending sturdy.

“One of many issues about cross nation, it doesn’t matter what, you end,” he stated. “It doesn’t matter concerning the instances, undergo the method.”

Robinson, with a 3.7 grade common, intends to present it his finest on this playoffs.

“I do know somebody has to do the soiled work,” he stated. “I’m going to do it. We convey the protection each single evening.”

Among the many Metropolis Part gamers to look at within the playoffs:

• Keyon Kensie, Taft: The 6-7 Kenzie began the season taking part in for a prep college (Donda Academy in Simi Valley) and has come on sturdy, averaging 25.2 factors for a Toreadors crew that can attempt to not be eradicated by King/Drew for the third time in 4 years.
• Marcus Adams Jr., Narbonne: The main candidate for Metropolis Part participant of the 12 months is decided to finish his highschool days with a championship. The 6-8 ahead has a excessive sport of fifty factors this season.
• Anthony Hrboka, San Pedro: The 5-10 three-point capturing sensation helped beat Birmingham in a regular-season sport. This time the Patriots know they must do a greater job placing a hand in his face in a rematch sport.
• Darius Carr, Fairfax: The 6-3 wing is one other switch from a prep college (Southern California Academy) who grew to become eligible at midseason and led the Lions to an unbeaten report within the Western League. Carr vs. Robinson must be a terrific particular person matchup.