Boys' basketball: Taft beats Westchester, 71-60.

The Taft boys' basketball team made one thing clear Saturday in the championship of the Westchester tournament.

The Toreadors are clearly the favorite to win the City Section Div. I championship in March after a 71-60 victory against the two-time defending state champion Comets.

Taft had to weather an 11-0 run by Westchester, which cut a 15-point lead down to four but the Toreadors responded in grand fashion with an 11-0 run to close out the game.

"I think we sent a message we ar ehere and we are here to stay," Colorado-bound point guard Spencer Dinwiddie said.

Dinwiddie came through for Taft with two 3-pointers and a basket in a one minite span to push the lead back to 12 points and the Toreadors cruised from there.

"I didn't panic when they made that run because I knew we still had matchups to exploit," Dinwiddie said. "They left off me too much so I took what they gave me."

Taft had no problems in the first half, racing to an 11-0 lead that reached 23-8 by the end of the first quarter and 39-22 at halftime.

C.J. Blackwell had 18 points and 12 rebounds, Dinwiddie had 18 points, Steohen Maxwell had 13 and Khiry Williams added nine in a balanced effort for the Toreadors.

Westchester simply couldn't deal with the huge frontline of Taft.

Maxwwell, 6-foot10 Kevin Johnson, Blackwell and junior Brandon Perry had too much height and muscle early on before the Comets started to knock down perimeter shots in the second half.

"We are blessed to have multiple big men to go to," Taft coach Derrick Taylor said.

Robert Gsellman had 15 points, Joshua Wilson had 13 and Keywhon Powns had 12 to lead Westchester.

Gsellman made a 3-pointer and a basket in the fourth quarter run, Trevonne Williams made a jumper and Powns followed with a layup to bring the Comets to within four with three minutes to go but Dinwiddie ended any comeback thoughts with his three consecutive baskets.

"We knew they would make a run," Taylor said. "They were not going to lie down on their homecourt. But we did dominate most of the game I thought. We just got out of rhythm for a few minutes. This win gives us a leg up on the No. 1 seed now."