Fairfax — Robinson Secondary senior Tristian Crenshaw spent a lot of time as a child playing pickup basketball games with his grandparents James A. Boswell and Debbie Chandler-Boswell. But over time, those enjoyable games became less frequent.
Last Friday, Feb. 3, Crenshaw’s grandparents made the three-hour trek from Chase City, Va., to watch their grandson’s final home game on Robinson’s Senior Night. And Crenshaw saved his best performance of the season for them.
Trailing 44-40 heading into the game’s third quarter, Crenshaw erupted for 18 second-half points on key baskets and free throws to carry the Rams to a 61-55 victory over Concorde District opponent Oakton.
“It is an honor and a privilege because he’s my grandson,” said an emotional James A. Boswell after Friday’s contest. “For him to finish up his home career here at Robinson on such a high note is something.”
Crenshaw ended the evening with 20 points and combined with fellow senior and captain, Robert Pillow, to score 49 of Robinson’s 61. Pillow set the tone for the Rams early as the Lycoming College (Pa.) commit made three 3-pointers in an 11-point first quarter effort.
“The first thing that we said from the defensive end regarding our scouting report, was to take the three-point line away from Pillow,” said Oakton head coach David Brooks, who coached the game from a wheelchair as he underwent a surgical procedure for testicular cancer two days earlier.
THE COUGARS contained Pillow for the second and third quarters while the talented sophomore tandem of Robert Bacon and Dale Good helped Oakton build a lead that they held for much of the evening.
But the two Robinson captains wouldn’t let that stand. Trailing 51-49 with just over three minutes remaining, Crenshaw drew a foul and stepped up to the free-throw line. Unfazed by the pressure, he sank both to tie the game. Two plays later on defense, he swiped the ball from Bacon and cruised up court for an easy layup. Pillow put the game away after connecting on a 3-pointer two plays later.
“In my head the whole time, I was thinking we have to win this game,” said Crenshaw. “I love playing here, I love our fans. I’m going to miss this. I’m going to miss it a lot.”
And so will Crenshaw’s grandparents, who were the first to greet him with a tight embrace after the final home game of his high school career.