Boys’ basketball: Let’s hope the officials are ready for LB Poly-Etiwanda

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I don’t know if there will be a tougher game to officiate all season than Tuesday’s Southern Section 1AA semifinal game between host Long Beach Poly and Etiwanda.

Both teams play aggressive, tough man-to-man defense. The games are so physical and intense.

This will be the fourth consecutive year the two schools have played in the semifinals and sixth time since 2010. Even though Poly has won four of the five games, each one has been fought to the bitter end.

It’s a difficult game for officials, because you want the teams to decide the game on the court.

Poly’s imposing duo of Roschon Prince and Jordan Bell are focused and in peak form. Etiwanda, led by junior guard Jordan McLaughlin, has been near flawless over the last month except for a loss to Rancho Cucamonga.

It has all the makings of a game of the year even though it’s not for a championship. The winner will advance to the championship game against Mater Dei or Inglewood.

-- Eric Sondheimer