Boys' basketball: Westchester guards are coming through

City Section Division I champion Westchester is still alive in the state playoffs because its guards continue to excel.

The trio of Matthew Grant, Tyler Batiste and Darnell Brown are meeting the challenge of playing well as the competition keeps getting better and better.

Next up is an Open Division semifinal game on Tuesday against Southern Section 1AA champion Etiwanda at Etiwanda.

"The kids have really stepped up," Westchester Coach Ed Azzam said.

Etiwanda plays very good defense, so it will be up to the Comets to make good judgments and execute on offense, Azzam said.

"They defend well and are not afraid of contact," Azzam said of the Eagles.

-- Eric Sondheimer