Boys’ basketball: Fairfax holds off Westchester, 60-57

When his Fairfax High basketball team opened a 19-point lead Wednesday night, Coach Steve Baik was probably wondering what all the fuss had been about concerning the Lions’ rivalry with Westchester.

He quickly found out.

Spurred on by a loud, enthusiastic home crowd and strong play from Luis Rodriguez, Westchester found itself possessing the ball and trailing by two points with 11.7 seconds left.

Chris Simmons had an open shot at the free-throw line but failed to connect. Ethan Anderson got the rebound with 0.6 seconds left, was fouled, made a free throw and Fairfax held on for an exhausting 60-57 Western League victory.

“I’ve never been in that type of game, ever,” 6-foot-7 junior Kirk Smith of Fairfax said. “The atmosphere and the crowd was crazy.”

Smith was playing crazy. He had 10 blocks and nine rebounds.

“Kirk was huge,” Baik said.

“I have to help my guards,” Smith said. “I’m the second line of defense. When the matchups are tough, I’m there to help.”

Fairfax was aggressive on offense and defense in the first half. The Lions (16-1, 4-0) went on a 19-0 run during the first and second quarters and led at halftime, 39-22.

But Westchester (15-7, 3-1) started isolating Rodriguez inside, and the Lions started to get into foul trouble. Rodriguez finished with 20 points, 17 coming in the second half.

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Fairfax forward Shawn Booker, left, challenges Westchester defender Jordan Brinson during first half action at Westchester High School.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Fairfax guard Jamal Hartfield (10) moves the ball upcourt while closely guarded by Westchester guard Chris Simmons (3) during first half action at Westchester High School.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Cheerleaders look on as the junior varsity Westchester Comets play the Fairfax Lions at Westchester High School.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Westchester players jump elatedly from the bench as teammate Luis Rodriguez (11) hits a three pointer midway through the fourth quarter to pull the Comets within three points of the Lions at Westchester High School.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Fairfax center Kirk Smith celebrates after a basket during second half action at Westchester High School.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Westchester guard Jordan Brinson winces after his tooth was knocked out during first half action against Fairfax at Westchester High School.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Westchester guard Darryn Everage (34) attempts a layup as Fairfax guard Ethan Anderson (20) challenges him during second half action at Westchester High School.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Fairfax center Kirk Smith (33) pulls down a rebound during first half action at Westchester High School.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

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Westchester guard Jordan Brinson (24) lands atop Fairfax guard Robert McRae during first half action at Westchester High School.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Fairfax relied on its outstanding guards, junior Jamal Hartwell and sophomore Anderson. Hartwell contributed 17 points and Anderson 15.

“We knew they were going to make a run,” Baik said. “We tightened up in the second half and weren’t in attack mode. But they stepped up big time. Great game for the City Section.”

Baik was recruited by former Coach Harvey Kitani to take over the program after Kitani had spent 35 years as head coach. It was the first time since 1986, when the schools started playing, that Kitani missed a Westchester-Fairfax game.

Baik, who was 35-0 at Chino Hills last season, is 51-1 over the last two campaigns. The Lions are loaded with quality underclassmen and got stronger Wednesday with the return of Robert McRae, who had suffered a broken hand. And two transfers who became eligible Jan. 2, Ronald Mitchell and Shawn Booker, made major contributions.

“Both teams are evenly matched,” Westchester Coach Ed Azzam said. “They had guys hit shots they normally don’t make. That was the difference.”

The rivalry is one of the best in California, with former NBA and college standouts from both teams having played in the game. The two teams are set to play in a regular-season finale Feb. 10 at Fairfax and could meet again in the City Section Open Division semifinals if the seedings go as expected.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

Twitter: latsondheimer