Azzam Wants Team to Earn Way to Top

Ed Azzam won’t deny the obvious.

The Westchester High boys’ basketball coach acknowledges that his team has talent, including five seniors probably bound for Division I colleges.

He admits that his team has chemistry, a crucial ingredient of even the most gifted teams. And he concedes that he has as many as seven players to turn to when the Comets need a late basket.

But Azzam refuses to accept the widely held notion that Westchester is the best team in the nation, especially since the season opener is two days away.

“We haven’t done anything,” said Azzam, whose team is atop several national polls. “Yes, we’re very talented, and we have some of the best players anywhere. But we’re playing a tough schedule. If we run the table, we’re definitely the best team in the country.”

The two-time defending City Section champions could face, among others, section rival Fairfax on Saturday and national power Mouth of Wilson (Va.) Oak Hill Academy the week after Christmas.

“If you want to be the best,” Azzam said, “you have to play the best.”

With Westchester leading an unusually strong contingent, this could be a slam-dunk season for the City Section. UCLA-bound forward Evan Burns has Fairfax poised to challenge Westchester in the Western League, and Coliseum League favorite Fremont, led by guard Mark Bradford, is just a step behind.

Crenshaw opened the season 2-3 after reserve Andre Morgan was shot and killed last week, but the Cougars are sure to rebound. Taft and Dorsey also could pose a challenge.

But no team can match Westchester player for player. The Comets’ starting lineup includes three players who signed or committed early, including 6-foot-4 guard Hassan Adams (Arizona), 6-8 swingman Brandon Bowman (Georgetown) and 6-3 guard Ashanti Cook (New Mexico). They will be paired with 6-3 guard Brandon Heath, 6-6 forward Keith Everage and several other talented players, presenting Azzam with an interesting challenge.

“I’m not sure we have a go-to guy,” Azzam said. “We might have seven of them. And I’m not trying to be funny or evasive. There are seven guys out there who on any given play can score.”

Westchester opens the season Wednesday in its own tournament against Locke and could face Fairfax on Saturday in the championship game.

“I’m not sure we’d like to start [at the top of the polls],” Azzam said, “but we’d sure like to end up there.”

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Family ties: Moorpark Coach Tim Bednar found a good reason to root against his son Daniel--the kid was playing for the other team.

Daniel Bednar scored 13 points for Oxnard Rio Mesa against Moorpark on Wednesday in the second round of the Simi Valley tournament, but dad’s team prevailed, 56-42. It was a bittersweet experience for Tim, who coached Daniel from youth league until he transferred to Rio Mesa from Moorpark in February of his freshman season to be closer to his friends.

“It was very difficult to coach against your own son,” said Tim Bednar, who received hugs from Daniel before and after the game. “I wanted him to do well, but I’ve worked so hard at Moorpark to help build our program that my loyalty is definitely there too.”

In the fifth-place game, Daniel Bednar went up against Simi Valley Royal Coach Eddie Gutierrez, another former mentor. Gutierrez coached Daniel’s junior varsity team at Moorpark. Daniel, a junior forward, scored 23 points against Royal, but Rio Mesa (2-2) lost again.

Tim Bednar fared better as Moorpark (4-0) went on to win the tournament.

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Quick turnaround: Los Angeles Summit View West players probably wondered what they were getting into after being drubbed by Tarzana Stoneridge Prep, 128-16, in the first game in school history. Wildcat players not only had to endure a lopsided defeat, but also had to wear practice jerseys with numbers made out of duct tape because their uniforms had yet to arrive.

But Summit View West, whose roster includes two girls because the school doesn’t offer a girls’ team, rebounded nicely after receiving its uniforms the next day. The Wildcats took a late six-point lead over Bridges Academy on Thursday before losing, 32-29.

“Our players have a great attitude when they go out and play,” said Athletic Director Erin Studer. “They don’t quit.”

The newest member of the American League, Summit View West is playing a varsity schedule in its first year because it couldn’t find enough junior varsity opponents. “Not a lot of schools our size [55 students] have jayvee programs,” Studer explained.