Jordan, Millikan in Clash for I-AA Title

Jordan High School’s boys basketball team will try to win its first CIF Southern Section championship when the Panthers play Moore League rival Millikan in the I-AA title game Saturday night at 8:30 in the Los Angeles Sports Arena.

The 22-6 Panthers, coached by Ron Massey, advanced to the finals by defeating Lakewood, 78-66, Tuesday night.

Darryl Bryant scored 25 points for Jordan.

Millikan, which lost to Jordan twice this season, defeated Lynwood, 86-74, in the semifinals, as Dante Powell scored 24 points and Pat Thacker added 23.

The Rams are 24-4.

Artesia, the only other Long Beach/Southeast area team alive in the playoffs, will play Woodbridge for the II-A title Saturday at 1 p.m. in the L.A. Memorial Sports Arena.

Wayne Merino’s 24-2 Pioneers, who beat Kennedy, 67-40, Tuesday night, will be trying for their second consecutive CIF title.

Gahr’s season ended Tuesday night with an 86-71 loss to J.W. North of Riverside in a II-AA semifinal. Junior guard Brandon Titus scored 39 points for the Gladiators, who finished 25-5.

Pius X lost to Verbum Dei, 87-78, in a IV-AA semifinal, despite 30 points by Ryan Brass. The Warriors, who had hoped to reach the finals for the first time in 27 years, finished 17-8 under new Coach Rob Orellana.

Valley Christian’s season ended with 25 turnovers and a 77-67 loss to St. Monica in a IV-A semifinal.

The Crusaders (20-6) were led by Todd VanOtterloo’s 22 points.