Column: Westchester-Fairfax game may be hottest ticket in town

It’s the hottest ticket in Los Angeles. No, Bruce Springsteen isn’t coming to town, LeBron James isn’t making an appearance and Justin Bieber isn’t playing at Staples Center.

It’s Westchester taking on unbeaten Fairfax on Monday night at 5:30 p.m. at Fairfax in a Western League basketball game that has all the makings of attracting a sold-out audience.

“We’re all fired up,” All-City guard Lindsey Drew of Fairfax said. “It’s the biggest game of the season so far.”

Fairfax has won 19 consecutive games, but this is the test the Lions know they must pass. They haven’t beaten Westchester since the 2011-12 season. Drew has never beaten Westchester, dating back to his junior varsity days.

Fairfax Coach Harvey Kitani, in his 34th season, has been facing Westchester Coach Ed Azzam, in his 36th season, since they both had lots of hair on their head. You win some, you lose some, but every game is intense and memorable. Azzam has 788 wins in his career.

“The games are always such a great rivalry,” Kitani said. “It doesn’t matter which team is supposed to have the upper hand. It’s always a great game.”

It’s going to be a challenging couple of weeks for Fairfax. The Lions also have a showdown game with No. 1-ranked Chatsworth Sierra Canyon at home on Saturday night as part of the eight-game Fairfax State Preview Classic. On Feb. 7, they face Santa Ana Mater Dei in the Nike Extravaganza.

“We’re making sure we take one game at a time,” Drew said.

As for the success of Fairfax, Drew said, “I think the biggest thing is the chemistry. We’re all in with what coach is saying. Nobody’s ego is too big. We’re into winning games. It’s fun when you win. Everybody is having fun.”

Drew does have advice for fans.

“Make sure you come early,” he said.

Decision time

Football letter of intent day is Feb. 4, and several players are hoping to create drama by waiting until the final day to announce their decision on television.

Gardena Serra standouts Rasheem Green (lineman) and John Houston (linebacker) will be making their announcements on TV. Also waiting to release his decision is Long Beach Poly defensive back Iman Marshall. USC is hoping for a sweep similar to last year, when Adoree’ Jackson and JuJu Smith chose the Trojans and both became freshman standouts.

Record streak

Fullerton Troy’s girls basketball team set a Southern Section record on Friday night by winning its 184th consecutive league game in a 56-32 win over La Habra.

The old record was held by Brea Olinda.

Early Narbonne feedback

Harbor City Narbonne is expecting to have one of the top football teams in Southern California in the fall, and early feedback from college coaches is encouraging.

Alex Akingbulu, a 6-foot-6, 265-pound junior lineman, has picked up a scholarship offer from Michigan. And junior speed running back Sean Riley has gotten one from Utah.

Free-throw guru

Just call Beverly Hills Coach Jarvis Turner a free-throw guru. His team made 25 of 26 free throws against Santa Monica last week. Asked if he wants to head to the NBA to teach free throws, Turner said, “Sign me up.”

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

Twitter: @LATSondheimer