It’s now or never for Crescenta Valley

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Clay Sierra did what he had to in order to get the Crescenta Valley boys’ basketball program to this point, carrying his teammates for a majority of the season, somehow keeping things close in the Pacific League race. Now, it’s up to Eric Strangis, nearly fully recovered from a troublesome torn labrum, to help take the Falcons to the next level.

The senior tandem has an opportunity to make a huge statement Friday, but will have to be at their best against first-place Pasadena, a team it trails by two games in the standings. A victory would provide plenty of momentum. A loss could end up ruining any aspirations Sierra, Strangis & Co. might have had at making a run at the league title.

‘Clay has done a remarkable job, there’s no denying that fact,’’ Coach Shawn Zargarian said. ‘Having Eric back is huge for us though. With those two in the lineup, we can play with just about anyone and have a chance to win. Either one of those guys can take over a game and that’s a nice luxury to have as a coach.’’

Strangis is averaging 10 points and five assists since his return to the lineup in a mid-December against Glendale, which the Falcons won, 80-54. In his absence, Sierra contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds a night. It will be interesting to see how the two work together over the final five regular-season games, and perhaps, in the playoffs.

-- Sean Ceglinsky