PREP BASKETBALL BOYS’ STATE SOUTHERN REGIONAL : Long Beach Jordan Prevails, 60-57

Using an up-tempo game, Long Beach Jordan High got past City 4-A champion Westchester, 60-57, in a Southern Regional state tournament Division I game Tuesday at Long Beach City College.

When running, trapping and pressing full court, Jordan was nearly unstoppable. The Panters (24-6) gained nine-point leads in the first and third quarter.

“Once the game got out of control and into and up-and-down style, we were out of our game,” Westchester coach Ed Azzam said.

After trailing by nine with 4:39 remaining, Westchester closed the deficit to 59-57 with 20 seconds to play.

Jordan’s Marlon Hamilton then made one free throw, and the Comets’ chance to tie disappeared when Albert Jones’ three-point attempt was long.

LeRoi O’Brien led Westchester (22-8) with 17 points. Darryl Bryant paced Jordan with 14 points, and Rodney Harris added 11.