Jacobsen Puts On 3-Point Exhibition as Crescenta Valley Advances, 76-68

Adam Jacobsen is the all-time leading three-point shooter in Southern Section history.

Let the videotape of Tuesday night’s game serve as an illustration of how he did it.

Jacobsen, a senior guard at Crescenta Valley, hit seven three-point shots in a row on his way to a 36-point performance that helped the host Falcons to a 76-68 victory over Damien in the second round of the Division II-AA playoffs.

“It’s a great feeling,” said Jacobsen, who has 691 points this season, sixth on the Crescenta Valley single-season list. “That’s what basketball is all about--those games when you just can’t miss.”

Jacobsen made only two of 11 three-pointers in the Falcons’ first-round victory Friday over Arlington.

But that game didn’t shake his confidence. It didn’t detract from his teammates’ faith in him, either.

“We know he’s a great shooter,” said forward Glenn Granz. “If you keep getting the ball to him he’s going to make the shots.

“That was the best shooting performance I’ve seen in my life. He couldn’t miss.”

Falcon Coach John Goffredo concurred. He said he has never seen a run of three-point shooting like he did on Tuesday. And the praise wasn’t limited to Jacobsen.

Jacobsen’s streak was part of 11 consecutive three-pointers by the Falcons.

“We came out fired up,” Granz said. “Everyone was incredibly high.”

Crescenta Valley (21-4) trailed, 12-6, midway through the first quarter, when the barrage began.

The Falcons’ continued hot shooting gave them a 54-39 lead midway through the third quarter.

But Damien (17-10), the Baseline League co-champion, didn’t fold after the Falcons’ marksmanship clinic ended.

Led by point guard Tim Bias (25 points) and forward Victor Lesley (22), the Spartans pulled to within 65-60 with 5 minutes 3 seconds remaining. Jacobsen, appearing to tire, also cooled down in the second half.

But he hit a jumper--his first of the fourth quarter--to give the Falcons a 67-60 lead with 4:00 to play, then Crescenta Valley held the ball after a Damien miss for more than a minute, waiting for the Spartans to foul.

Crescenta Valley then made nine of 11 free throws to seal the victory.

“I think the last four minutes we were pretty darn smart,” Goffredo said.