Cambridge bests California powerhouse

Cambridge proved its dominance stretches well beyond Massachusetts yesterday at the Spalding Hoop Hall Classic.

Behind 14 points from Kareem Octavien, the No. 1 Falcons knocked off California powerhouse the Crossroads School, 46-36, in front of a packed house at Springfield College.

Crossroads broke a 30-30 tie early in the fourth quarter on a basket by Tyler Houston, but the Falcons came storming back as baskets from Aidan Keefer and Dimon Carrigan gave Cambridge a 36-32 advantage.

Moments later, Carrigan flushed a two-handed dunk to give the Falcons an insurmountable nine-point lead, 43-34, with a little over two minutes to go.

Cambridge built a 23-19 first half lead behind the play of Octavien. The senior shooting guard buried three 3-pointers in the face of the Road Runners’ 2-3 zone defense.

The Falcons opened up their lead to as many as nine points early in the third quarter as consecutive layups by Octavien and Daniel Rymer gave Cambridge a 26-17 lead.

Ira Lee, a University of Arizona commit, and Shaquille O’Neal’s son Shareef began to take over for Crossroads, as the two used their length to attack Cambridge’s defense. Four points each from the pair brought Crossroads back within two, 30-28, and Cole Thomas hit two free throws to tie the game as time expired in the third quarter.

In other boys basketball news, Brookline coach Luke Day stepped down from his position following Friday night’s 62-54 loss to Needham. The decision was made before the game, but Day did not inform his team until after the contest.

“It’s really as simple as not wanting to it anymore,” said Day, whose team has dropped two straight after a 5-1 start. “For me, to hang on and coach the team for 6-7 more weeks would be hurting the kids. I think it’s best for me to be out of the picture.”

There is no word on who would replace Day.

Boys hockey

Sam Mastrogiacomo and Nick O’Connell racked up a goal and an assist each to propel Boston Latin (4-3-1) to a 4-1 victory over Haverhill in a MVC/DCL 2 matchup. ... Richard Colarusso collected two goals and two assists as Tewksbury (5-3-2) doubled up Methuen, 6-3.

In a Northeastern Conference contest, Bryan Chalmers scored twice as Winthrop (7-1-1) blanked Beverly, 5-0.

Girls hockey

In a Catholic Central League tilt, Maede Crehan tallied two goals as Austin Prep (5-0-1) blanked Arlington Catholic, 4-0, despite 55 saves from AC goalie Jasmine Micci.