Boys’ basketball: It’s the battle of the Jordans

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There might not be a better Southern Section Division 1AA quarterfinal game than Friday’s matchup of Santa Monica (20-8) and host Etiwanda (28-1). The two schools met last December in the Oaks Christian tournament, and Etiwanda won, 56-52.

Get ready for a battle of the Jordans, as in sophomore guard Jordan McLaughlin of Etiwanda and junior guard Jordan Mathews of Santa Monica. Both ignite their respective teams on offense.

Santa Monica has played tough teams since last spring and summer, preparing for this moment. ‘We’re battle tested,’ Coach James Hecht said.

Santa Monica won a tough Ocean League that still has two other teams, Beverly Hills and Inglewood, alive in the Southern Section playoffs.

Hecht knows what his team will be facing.

‘Etiwanda is well coached,’ he said. ‘They don’t make a lot of mistakes and capitalize on opponents’ mistakes.’

Another competitive 1AA quarterfinal should be Loyola (23-4) at Upland (20-9). Loyola wants to get a likely semifinal meeting against Mater Dei. The Cubs lost three times in the Mission League and didn’t play well in a late-season loss to Woodland Hills Taft. Upland lost to Etiwanda, 70-69, in a Baseline League game.

-- Eric Sondheimer