Farmar Belongs Among the Elite

Let the comparisons begin, Jordan Farmar versus Gail Goodrich.

It’s a risky, even laughable, thought to think a 17-year-old senior deserves to be mentioned in the same sentence as a Hall of Famer.

But when it comes to determining the greatest basketball player in Los Angeles City Section history, Farmar thrust himself into contention Saturday night by leading Woodland Hills Taft to the City championship.

Farmar scored 29 points against top-seeded Los Angeles Fairfax, the same total Goodrich scored for Sun Valley Poly when it beat Manual Arts to win the 1961 City championship.

Goodrich was a 5-foot-11 left-handed guard who went on to become an All-American at UCLA, where he won two NCAA championships, then led the Lakers in scoring during their championship season in 1971-72 when they won 33 consecutive games. He was inducted into the basketball Hall of Fame in 1996.

Farmar, a 6-2 point guard, hopes to follow an identical path. He has signed with UCLA and is already being advertised as the player who can help the Bruins return to national prominence.

Yutaka Shimizu, who started coaching in the City Section in 1959 and is a volunteer assistant coach at Taft, said the Farmar-Goodrich comparisons are legitimate.

“At high school age, Jordan is more athletic,” Shimizu said. “They both have the desire and spirit to win games. They’re equal. It would be hard to pick between the two. I don’t know how a 17-year-old can be an old-school player, but Jordan is. He understands the game.”

Mike Warren, perhaps the best point guard of the John Wooden era at UCLA, has seen Farmar play at least six times this season and is convinced of his skills.

“He’s terrific,” Warren said. “I’ve been extremely impressed with his tenacity and toughness. I think he has the potential to be one of [UCLA’s] best all-time guards. He was born to play point guard.”

Fairfax Coach Harvey Kitani said Farmar’s best days are ahead.

“He’s an outstanding high school player, and surround him with other guys in college and his potential is tremendous,” he said.

Willie West, who has won 16 City titles in 34 seasons at Crenshaw, got to see Farmar up close when his team lost to Taft in the quarterfinals. West has coached some of the best players in City history, from John Williams to Marques Johnson. He said Farmar deserves respect.

“He’s a legitimate player,” West said. “He has a lot of tools. He’s a clutch player and a leader.”

But West said it’s too early to bestow greatness on Farmar “until he does something else.”

That’s OK with Farmar. He looks forward to the challenges ahead, starting tonight when Taft plays host to Mission Viejo in a first-round game of the Southern Regional playoffs. Ticket demand is so high that Taft officials are advising fans to purchase a presale ticket at the school between 7:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Farmar is about to take his act national, with an appearance March 31 in the McDonald’s All-American game on ESPN. Then comes the Hoop Summit April 4 on Fox Sports Net in San Antonio during the NCAA Final Four.

He’s more than ready for the increased scrutiny and media attention. He was signing autographs en masse after the City final and enjoying every minute of it.

“I love the hype,” he said.

He loves pressure situations too. When he made two free throws with 18 seconds left at the Sports Arena on Saturday night to increase Taft’s lead to five points, he was smiling. He made two more free throws with three seconds left.

“I knew it was over,” he said. “It was a magical moment. I shoot free throws tired every day. It’s no different no matter how many fans are screaming or how much time is left.”

It’s not cockiness but confidence that Farmar exudes.

“Jordan believes there’s nothing he can’t do,” Taft Coach Derrick Taylor said.

That’s why last fall, on a hot October afternoon, Farmar was running four times around the Taft track with a stopwatch trying to get into shape, pushing himself and his teammates until they were close to exhaustion. He understood what was required to win a championship -- and delivered.

“I knew it was achievable from day one,” he said.

Goodrich showed the way to greatness, and Farmar is following.

*

Freshman designated hitter Robert Stock of Agoura is living up to expectations. He went seven for seven in his first two baseball games and struck out two in one inning of relief.

“He’s extremely good,” Coach Scott Deck said.

Trevor Plouffe of Encino Crespi hit three home runs in two games.

Garrett Ozar of Oak Park struck out 16 in his season debut.

Westminster La Quinta used four pitchers to record consecutive shutouts.

Mission Viejo Capistrano Valley showed it has an effective starting pitching duo in Jason Corder and Kevin Stedman.

*

Eric Sondheimer can be reached at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com.