No superstar, no problem for the Long Beach Poly boys’ basketball team. Playing without UCLA signee Peyton Watson for the second straight game, the Jackrabbits had no trouble against a good Wilson team that’s currently in fourth place in the Moore League, and angling for a playoff spot. The Jackrabbits got strong performances from Chris Watson and Gabe Cummings in a 76-39 victory.
That runs Poly’s record to 6-0 in the Moore League, having outscored their opponents 485-227, an average score of 80.8 to 37.8 at the midway point of the season. The Jackrabbits will look outside the city for better competition as they travel to Corona Centennial for a nonleague game Saturday evening.
“We’re learning each other, our chemistry is getting better,” said Watson. “We miss Peyton but it’s good for other guys to step up and let us learn more about how we can mesh together. Then when he’s back it’s going to be scary.”
Peyton will be gone next week for the Iverson Classic, where he’ll be playing with the other top players in the nation in front of NBA scouts for all 30 teams, then will rejoin the Jackrabbits as they make their push towards the playoffs.
Poly led wire to wire on Friday night as Chris Watson scored 17 points to lead all scorers, backed up by Cummings’ 16 points. Dallas Cooper led Wilson with 10 points. The Jackrabbits also got 11 points from Darron Henry and nine points from Anthony Robinson in the senior’s second game of the season, as he’s been resting a leg injury. Robinson hit three 3-pointers and brought a spark to the Jackrabbits when he was on the floor.
“We feel a lot better, we’re running our offense and getting better every single day,” said Poly coach Shelton Diggs. “We still haven’t played a game yet with our whole team.”
Cole Walker had nine points for Wilson to back up Cooper. Wilson will travel to Warren Monday for a nonleague game then face Lakewood on Wednesday in a battle between the league’s third and fourth place teams. Poly will face Corona Centennial Saturday then host Compton Wednesday in a battle of the two top teams in the league.
Lakewood def. Millikan 79-44
The Lancers stayed in sole possession of third place with an easy win over Millikan.
MOORE LEAGUE STANDINGS
Long Beach Poly 6-0
Compton 5-1
Lakewood 4-2
Wilson 3-3
Cabrillo 2-4
Millikan 1-5
Jordan 0-6
