Golden Knights get it right

BURBANK — For the most part, the members of the St. Francis High basketball team have got the offense down pat. On the flip side, there’s more work that needs to be done on defense.

That’s the whole point concerning summer league action, an opportunity for the Golden Knights to hone their skills and have both parts of the game clicking by the time the season begins in December.

St. Francis got 12 points from senior guard Tommy Jordan en route to a lopsided 63-34 victory against L.A. Poly on Thursday afternoon in a Burbank High Summer League contest.

The Golden Knights led the entire way, though St. Francis co-Coach Ray O’Brien said the Golden Knights must be more attentive on defense.

“We are miles ahead on offense compared to last year,” said O’Brien, who along with Jeff Stephens, was named All-Area Boys’ Basketball co-Coach of the Year after guiding St. Francis to a playoff appearance last season for the first time since 2005. “They’ve improved and we have a lot more shooters than we have in the past.

“Offense isn’t a problem. However, we are trying to get many of our younger players to spend the summer learning how to play defense. We have three younger guys who are seeing significant playing time and we haven’t been satisfied with their defensive efforts.”

The Golden Knights, who finished fifth in the competitive Mission League last season before advancing to the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division IV-AA playoffs last season, jumped out to an 11-2 lead on a steal and basket by guard Emerson Castaneda with 5:17 left in the first quarter.

Castaneda made two three-pointers in a row late in the second quarter to give St. Francis a 26-14 lead with 1:05 left. However, Poly scored five consecutive points in the last seven seconds to cut St. Francis’ lead to 26-19. The Golden Knights, who will next compete in another Burbank Summer League contest at 5 p.m. Tuesday against Panorama, didn’t let Poly get any closer. In fact, St. Francis limited Poly to just three third-quarter points.

St. Francis got a pair of three-pointers from forward Keith Enterante to extend the lead to 35-22 with 3:05 remaining in the third stanza. Enterante finished with eight points.

Jordan, who earned all-league honors last season, had six points in each half.

“To me, Tommy Jordan is one of the best offensive players in the area,” O’Brien said. “He does lead the charge, but now he’s got three or four guys who can score.

“We have a lot more options.”

St. Francis competed without senior-to-be forward Dietrich Riley, the two-time reigning All-Area Football Player of the Year. Riley missed the game because of football obligations.