Dixon powers Poly past Millikan, 55-42

It was the kind of moment Jasmine Dixon longs for -- big game, crowded house and a lot at stake. And Friday, Dixon showed again why she may be the premier high school girls’ basketball player in the Southland.

The Rutgers-bound guard/forward had 19 points and 16 rebounds, and second-ranked Long Beach Poly defeated top-ranked Long Beach Millikan, 55-42, to pull into a tie for first place in the Moore League.

The last time they played each other, Millikan stunned the Jackrabbits, 51-46. It was the Rams’ first victory over Poly since 1999. And to make it happen, Millikan had to rally from a 10-point deficit in the third quarter as Courtney Clements scored 15 of her 19 points in the second half.

On Friday, Clements scored nine in the game, and only three in the second half -- all in the fourth quarter after Poly had extended its halftime lead from seven to 15 points.

Poly (15-2, 6-1) opened the season ranked No. 1 nationally by Rivals.com. Millikan (18-3, 6-1) was unranked in the Southland by The Times to begin the season.

Clements, a 6-foot-1 forward headed to Arizona State, was hassled repeatedly by April Cook, a 5-7 guard who is the Jackrabbits’ defensive stopper, and Ne’chell Marbrough, a hard-playing 5-9 guard/forward. Cook, who has committed to Washington State, scored 10 points.

But it was the 5-10 Dixon’s performance that seemed to matter most Friday.

She scored 13 of her points in the first half and the first six of the second half for Poly.

“That’s what separates her from the majority of other players,” Poly Coach Carl Buggs said. “When the team needs her most, she will step up.”

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martin.henderson@latimes.com