The562’s coverage of Long Beach Wilson Athletics is sponsored by Joel Bitonio, Class of 2009.
The562’s coverage of Jordan Athletics is sponsored by former LBUSD superintendent Chris Steinhauser and the Timu Foundation.
Looking to play fast Jordan’s Alvino Duncan was inserted into the starting lineup ahead of their contest against Wilson on Wednesday night.
Duncan made the most of the opportunity, as he scored a game-high 20 points as the Panthers went on the road to defeat the Bruins, 62-59.
“Everybody saw what happened to us Monday,” Duncan said, motivation after their loss to Poly. “We had to come back to win. Everybody was just playing hard, playing smart and listen to the coaches has been a big thing for us this year.”
The two teams traded points early on as Wilson took an early 9-8 lead. Jordan then went on a 7-0 run thanks to a couple threes from Duncan as the Panthers took a 23-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.
“We had (Duncan) in the starting lineup tonight and he produced,” Jordan coach Chris Francis said. “We have to play faster so we put Vino in and the guys performed.”
Jordan (11-9, 3-3) took advantage of a slow Wilson start as Amir Bowser and Samajay Jackson made baskets that pushed the lead to 12 points. Nehamiah Parris scored nine points in the first half as Wilson kept it close and only trailed 34-27 at halftime.
Wilson (15-7, 3-3) continued that momentum into the second half as Matthew Searles scored five points as the Bruins cut the lead to 40-38. Noah Jaramillo kept that momentum as he scored seven of his 11 points to lead as the Bruins went on a 22-8 run to take a 49-42 lead.
However, Jordan went on their own 6-0 run at the end of the third as they cut Wilson’s lead to 49-48 heading into the fourth quarter.
After sitting some of the third quarter, Andre Alvarez-Smith scored eight of Wilson’s points as they held onto a 59-57 lead.
That’s when Jackson started to get involved in the game as he attacked the glass scoring seven of his 14 points to give Jordan a 60-59 lead.
With time winding down, Jordan held Wilson scoreless in the final 1:58 of the game as they eventually took the win after a Bruins final attempt fell short. For Jordan it was a huge win for the Panthers after navigating a season with a lot of uncertainty.
“I love the Moore league,” Francis said. “It’s real basketball. Homecourt advantage are really home court advantages and that is why I’m proud of my guys. We don’t have a home court. Some days we don’t get to practice. For my guys to come out here and compete. I’m proud of my guys.”
Jordan’s sets up a very eventful second half of league play as Jordan, Wilson and Cabrillo sit at 3-3 in league play. The Panthers will take on Lakewood on Friday while Wilson will host Cabrillo looking to get off to a better start.
“I’m just so frustrated,” Wilson coach James Boykin said. “Just our performance. If we played hard and we lose it’s a different story. But as a coach, it’s the worst thing in the world to just get outworked and out hustled. (Jordan) just outworked us.”
