The562’s coverage of Long Beach Poly Athletics for the 2025-26 school year is sponsored by Former Jackrabbits Wendell “WoWo” Moe, Jr. & Tyson Ruffins.
The562’s coverage of Jordan Athletics is sponsored by former LBUSD superintendent Chris Steinhauser and the Timu Foundation.
All week Long Beach Poly coach Shelton Diggs made it a point for his team to focus on each game that’s right in front of them.
With three contests this week he wanted to make sure his team didn’t get caught in a trap game with a big game against Millikan looming.
The Jackrabbits did exactly what Diggs wanted as they defeated Jordan 75-41 at Ron Palmer Pavilion Friday night.
“Defensively in the first half we came out and did a hell of a job,” Diggs said of his team’s defensive intensity. “We held them to 15 points in the first half. I mean nothing is perfect in basketball but that was as good of a half that we could play defensively.”
With the victory under their belts, Long Beach Poly can now turn their attention to Monday when the Jackrabbits will host Millikan as they try to take a share of the Moore League title. Last time out, the Rams defeated the Jackrabbits and Poly also lost senior guard Julian Calderone in the process – which is something the Jackrabbits have been working through last couple of weeks.
“We’re just looking to bring it,” Diggs said of their rematch against Millikan. “Last time we didn’t really bring it so we’re looking to bring it on Monday.”
Offensively, Poly had four reach double figures and junior Isaac Hagens led the way with a game-high 22 points. He was joined by Jonas Oware (14) and senior guards Nana Ofoegbu and Kamarie Smith who each chipped in 10 points.
\The Jackrabbits never trailed in the contest and after a 6-6 tie, Poly went on a 15-2 run to take a 13-point lead after the first quarter. The run extended to 27-2 until Malachi Burdette hit a couple of free throws.
However, Poly continued to turn their defense into offense as they went into the half with a 41-15 lead. Samajay Jackson had a team-high 20 points as he continued to attack the basket and get to the charity stripe in the second half. Jackson made six free throws in the second half.
With the loss, Jordan now as six losses in league action along with Cabrillo and Wilson as we inch closer to a play-in game with the potential third and fourth place teams having the same record.
Jordan will wrap up the regular season when they host Wilson at Compton College on Tuesday.
With their big game on Monday, Hagens is looking forward to helping the Jackrabbits be Moore League champs.
“I want to win,” Hagens said. “I want to win the Moore League and I want to go to CIF. I want to go win a championship.”
