L.A. Westchester playing like No. 1 team

There was no mistaking the compliment from Woodland Hills Taft Coach Derrick Taylor late Saturday night after his team lost to Westchester, 70-60, in the City Section Division I championship basketball game at USC’s Galen Center.

“It’s like the old wild, wild West shootout — the first guy to blink,” he said. “We acted like we had something in our eyeballs. We started blinking like crazy. They’re just good.”

And that’s going to be the challenge in the state playoffs for future Westchester opponents. Yes, Santa Ana Mater Dei (29-1) got the No. 1 seeding Sunday for the Division I Southern California Regionals that begin Tuesday, but No. 2 Westchester (27-3) is the team to beat.

There might be an opponent capable of taking the lead on the Comets, but over a 32-minute game what counts is who ends up ahead. Westchester players wait for teams to blink, and if they don’t, the Comets make them blink with tough defense, unselfish passing, clutch three-point shooting and a glare in their eyes that sends the message, “We aren’t going to crack.”

Taft (24-5) has as much talent as any team in the Southland. Bryce Jones, a 6-foot-5 USC-bound senior, has become a big-time college prospect. He had 29 points Saturday. DeAndre Daniels is a 6-8 Texas commit with tremendous skills. Taft guards Spencer Dinwiddie and Landon Drew will one day receive college scholarships.

Despite Taft’s talent, as soon as Westchester decided enough was enough after a 24-24 halftime tie, the game was over. Dwayne Polee Jr. had 19 points and 10 rebounds. The Comets have so many weapons and so much experience and poise that it’s going to be a big surprise if they fall.

Of course, the Division I playoffs are loaded with outstanding teams. Mater Dei’s three Pacific 10-bound guards don’t have to bow to anyone. Etiwanda’s man-to-man defense will give opposing teams fits. And Taft gets a second chance, with a possible semifinal game against Mater Dei on Saturday if its guards can rise up and have some confidence in their abilities.

Westchester Coach Ed Azzam, who won his 11th City title, appreciates what his group of seniors has accomplished.

“We knew this group would be special when they were freshmen,” he said. “They did the unexpected last year and won the City and state. It’s tough to meet or exceed expectations when the expectations are you’re going to win it all, so this team right now is meeting everyone’s expectations, and they’re doing it with some class and they’re doing it with poise, and I’m really proud of them.”

But Azzam has a warning for his team — the path ahead won’t be easy.

“It’s always a gauntlet to get through the Southern [Regional] and try to get up north,” he said.

The regional final is March 20 at Galen Center. The state championship game is March 27 at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield.

The 2010 Hoosiers

Watching Murrieta Valley play basketball is like going into a time machine and coming out in the 1970s. It is a true neighborhood team; they have no transfers, and they have players who have known each other since first grade. They run the passing-game offense, set screen after screen and draw fouls by using the old-fashion pump fake.

“We stress fundamentals. We stress teamwork. We’re old-school and we can’t help it,” Coach Steve Tarabilda said.

The Nighthawks won the Southern Section Division 2AA championship with 50-44 victory over Compton.

“We’re about having a great experience for our high school kids, and to make it this far is a super dream because they’re all local boys,” Tarabilda said.

It was so interesting to see how Murrieta Valley (27-4) tried to deal with the advantage Compton had in size and leaping ability.

“We knew they were going to be anxious to block shots, so we had to be extra calm and patient,” said junior Justin Gudger, who scored a game-high 21 points.

I don’t know how far Murrieta Valley will make it in Division II playoffs, but they’re going to pick up new fans along the way.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

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