The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly is sponsored by Bryson Financial
The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
The Long Beach Poly boys’ basketball team’s first goal this year is to reclaim the Moore League title, after their 13-year streak was snapped by Jordan last season. So far, so good for the Jackrabbits, as they opened up league play on the road Tuesday with a comfortable win over a young and hungry Wilson squad. The Jackrabbits played well on both sides of the floor to overcome an upset-ready Bruins team, winning 78-59.
“We’re starting to put better spurts together defensively, we’re playing a lot better now but we’ve got to get better maintaining a lead and continuing to build on it,” said Poly coach Shelton Diggs. “We’ve had a week off it’s been good to get in a week of practice, we’re getting there slowly but surely.”
Poly brought physical defense in the first quarter and held the Bruins to just six points as they jumped out to a 17-6 lead, then continued to build on it in the second quarter as they won the frame 19-13 to take a 36-19 lead into the locker room thanks to Giovanni Ofoegbu’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer.
But the Bruins came storming back in the third quarter as they poured in 28 points after having scored just 19 in the first half. Sophomore Jeremiah Gordon got hot from distance in the third pouring in eight of his team-high 17 points, and freshman Evan Mack’s defense created several turnovers. The Bruins cut the Poly lead to 52-47 at the end of the third and looked game to push the Rabbits to the brink in the fourth.
But Poly took control to start the fourth quarter, going on a 13-3 run that slammed the door, as junior Jovani Ruff scored nine straight for the Jackrabbits, penetrating the exterior of Wilson’s zone and pulling up for easy mid-range looks. With a 66-50 lead, the Jackrabbits were able to make enough free throws down the stretch to hold on for a comfortable win.
Wilson coach James Boykin liked a lot of what he saw.
“We looked good in stretches and little spurts, I think their physicality was a big challenge for us,” said Boykin. “Their aggressiveness was a little much for us in the first half and we had to adjust to it. That third quarter we played well to cut it to five. As a coach and a competitor you’re always trying to win, but if you look at it through the lens that these are young guys learning to win at this level, there’s a lot to be happy about.”
Diggs said that while he’s happy to see his team starting to come together, he still sees a lot of work that needs to be done throughout league as the Jackrabbits prepare for the postseason.
“It’s just being more consistent, to me we’re maybe 45-50% right now, we have to keep working and turning the corner, keep making this a little better, that a little better,” he said. “We’ve got one more tournament next week and then it’s just league and getting ready.”
Both teams are trying to hang their hat on defense this year and both teams’ defense was successful at times. Wilson’s zone stymied Poly in stretches and Mack is an impressive shot-blocker for a freshman.
Poly’s defense held the Bruins to a single-digit first quarter and a 5:30 scoreless drought in the first as well, in addition to keeping the Bruins to just one field goal in the first half of the fourth quarter while Ruff’s outburst put the game away. Poly’s press was effective as was on-ball perimeter defense from Ruff, Austin Unegbu and Ofoegbu, with Jonas Oware challenging shots at the rim.
“We’re playing confident right now,” said Ruff, who had 22 points to lead all scorers. The birthday boy scored most of his points in the second half, which has been a theme for him. “It’s a bad habit, honestly. I sit in the locker room thinking, ‘I’m not playing my best right now.’ I’ve got to be more consistent to start the game.”
In addition to Graham’s 17, Wilson was led by 12 points from Airus Allen and 11 points from Hayden Rodriguez. Wilson (8-6, 2-1) will travel to Lakewood Thursday for a huge game.
Poly was led by Ruff’s 22, as well as 16 from Ofoegbu, 14 from Oware, and 13 points from sophomore point guard Nana Ofoegbu. Poly (6-7, 1-0) will host Compton Thursday.
