The562’s coverage of Jordan Athletics is sponsored by John Ross, Class of 2013.
Some Long Beach fans might be surprised that Jordan boys’ basketball is playing for a CIF Southern Section championship this weekend, but the Panthers aren’t shocked.
“We all said in the summer that we were going to win a championship,” Jordan coach Chris Francis said. “Practice this week has been awesome. These kids are really focused and they want to finish.”
CLICK HERE for tickets to the Division 4A championship between Jordan and Sage Hill on Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Edison High School.
This is Jordan’s first championship game appearance since legendary coach Ron Massey’s 2006 squad that featured future Long Beach State standout Larry Anderson. If the Panthers win, it would be their first title since 1996.
“It’s been a hell of a ride and I’m just happy for the community,” Francis said. “We’re proud we’re doing it with the neighborhood kids. They went to Lindbergh, Lindsay, Hamilton and Hughes (middle schools in Long Beach) so we’re expecting a big turnout (on Saturday). I’m so happy I was able to bring some people back together who trusted me to turn this program around.”
Sage Hill (15-11) is the champion of the Pacific Coast League and is riding an 11-game winning streak. The Lightning hasn’t lost since Jan. 7 when Long Beach Poly beat them 77-38. Sage Hill has beaten Whittier, Holy Martyrs Armenian, El Modena and Littlerock in the playoffs to reach the championship.
In the semifinals victory over Littlerock, Sage Hill junior star Carter Bryant had 28 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and six blocks while fellow junior Johnny Mayhew chipped in a double-double 13 points and 11 rebounds. The Lightning have never won a CIF title, and their only other finals appearance was in 2019.
Francis said his team won’t be changing much defensively to limit the 6’8” Bryant who is a top recruit in his class.
“We’ve just got to play J-Town basketball,” Francis said. “A zebra doesn’t change his stripes. We’re going to do what’s been successful for us. It’s going to be about imposing our will, controlling the tempo and making adjustments throughout the game.”
Jordan (20-12) has outscored its four playoff opponents 328-237.
