Notebook: Long Beach Poly defense key in state run

The Long Beach Poly boys basketball team has a proud history of lockdown defense that stems back to the early 1910s, when the Jackrabbits would, on occasion, shut opponents out in the pre-shot clock era. This year has been a bit of an exception, as the team’s emphasis has been more on post play and scoring than on lockdown D.

Poly head coach Shelton Diggs was more blunt.

“We’ve been horrible on defense most of the year,” he said. “Horrible by our standards especially.”

The key phrase is “most of the year,” because since the Jackrabbits hit the postseason, they’ve become a team that can rely on its play on both ends of the court. The last two games are perfect examples, as the Jackrabbits’ second-half defense allowed them to outscore Los Alamitos 30-11 and J.W. North 38-28. Only once in the second half of either game did Poly’s opponent score consecutive buckets, as the Jackrabbits threw dirt on the idea that basketball is a game of runs.

“This team adjusts well, so we’re able to go in with a game plan and we’re able to change it based on what we’re seeing,” said Diggs. “Against Los Al, our game plan was full-court pressure and then we switched to zone.”

ALL-CIF

Several Press-Telegram athletes received All-CIF recognition for basketball on Monday when the honors were aounced by the CIF Southe Section.

On the boys side, Los Alamitos’ Eyassu Worku was named first team All-CIF in the Open Division, while Long Beach Poly’s Zafir Williams was the Co-Player of the Year in Division 1AA. Other honorees were JJ Watson (St. John Bosco, Division 1AA), Harrison Boer (Long Beach Poly, 1AA), CJ Smith (Downey, 1AA), Ofure Ujadughele (Millikan, 1AA), Keith Carlton (Lynwood, 2A), Ian Carter (La Mirada, 2A), and Evan Leonard (Cerritos, 2A).

On the girls side, Long Beach Poly’s Jasmine Jones received first team All-CIF honors in the Open Division, and St. Anthony’s Tayler Beet was the Player of the Year in Division 4A. Other honorees were Ashley Austin (Lynwood, Division 1AA), Tyler Frierson (Millikan, 1AA), Mone’t Ward (Mayfair, 2A), Tiara Scott (St. Anthony, 4A), and Taryn Minuto (Avalon, 5A).