One Game to Go for Crenshaw Boys and Girls : Boys’ Basketball: Ronnie Arch ends slump as Cougars defeat Westchester, 73-59, in City 4-A semifinals.

After playing a pivotal role in Crenshaw’s previous two City Section 4-A championship teams, a lot was expected from third-year varsity starter Ronnie Arch.

The 6-foot-6 shooting guard, however, has struggled to be an offensive leader such as last season’s stars Kristaan Johnson and Tremaine Fowlkes.

That changed Friday night.

Demonstrating that he can be a dominating offensive player, Arch scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Crenshaw to a 73-59 win over Westchester in a City Section 4-A semfinals game at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Not bad for a guy who has sat in foul trouble during close games against Washington and Dorsey.

“I was in a real big slump but I had a hard practice yesterday and it paid off,” said Arch, who was 8-of-17 from the field. “I feel like taking the championship for the third straight time.”

Which is what the Cougars will attempt to do on Saturday against Fairfax in the City 4-A final at Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Crenshaw, which won titles in 1993 and 1994, closed out the game with a 12-2 run to finish off Westchester.

“We tried not to beat ourselves and we did a better job in the second half,” Crenshaw coach Willie West said.

After Arch rebounded a missed shot and scored on a layup, he stole the inbounds pass and made a three-point play to give Crenshaw its biggest lead of the third quarter, 51-46.”

Westchester had a star of its own in Ben Sanders, who had 21 points, including 15 in the second half.