Crenshaw’s Arch Insists That His Troubles are Behind Him

During the previous two basketball seasons, Ronnie Arch of Crenshaw High has been a role player overshadowed by his more noted teammates Tremaine Fowlkes, Kristaan Johnson and Reggie McFerren, who have since graduated.

Now that Arch is a senior and the Cougars’ team leader, he is discovering the pros and cons of being in the spotlight.

Last week, the 6-foot-6 Arch was reinstated after being suspended from the team, missing a trip to a Fort Worth, Texas, basketball tournament during the holiday break.

Arch was suspended after violating his probation by having six unexcused absences from two of his classes. The offense that led to his probation is unspecified because Arch, 17, is a juvenile.

Arch said he committed the offense when he was 13 and a freshman at Westchester High. Arch transferred to Crenshaw when he became a sophomore.

“The judge wants to see me get my diploma from high school,” said Arch, who will turn 18 May 20. “I will probably be off (probation) in March with a good report card.” Arch has a 2.3 grade-point average.

Arch, the team’s best outside shooter, is averaging 17 points a game. He is a third-year varsity letterman for the Cougars.

Although Crenshaw Coach Willie West allowed Arch back on the team, he didn’t excuse him for his poor behavior.

“Ronnie is a person who wants to be independent,” he added. “But he has to grow up to get to that stage.”

Arch, who has yet to pass the Scholastic Assessment Test for college entrance, said he still expects to be recruited by Division I schools.