Taylor: Taft won’t underestimate Manual Arts

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It’s very rare that a 16th-seeded team beats the to- seeded team in the first round of the playoffs -- if it’s ever happened at all, especially in the City Section boys’ basketball playoffs.

Nonetheless, Taft Coach Derrick Taylor said the Toreadors (21-3) -- seeded first in the Championship Division -- will have their guard up for No. 16 Manual Arts (16-13), which travels to Taft for Friday’s playoff opener.

‘We respect Manual,’ Taylor said. ‘We know Manual has a fighting spirit. If you don’t want the upset to present itself, you have to play hard all the time. We play hard all the time.’

Taft, the West Valley League champion, has won seven straight and 13 of its last 14 games. The only loss in that span was an 84-69 decision to Bronx (NY) St. Raymond on Jan. 21.

Manual Arts, fifth in the Coliseum League, has lost five of its last eight.

-- Mike Terry