Chambers, Jordan teammates have eyes on prize
Panthers looking to earn first CIF-SS crown since 1996
LONG BEACH » Senior point guard Franklyn Chambers' game might be fast-paced but his journey to this point has not been easy.
He's heard the chatter questioning why he would transfer from a CIF Southern Section Division 1 basketball program at Dominguez High to a Division 4A program at Long Beach Jordan before his last season of high school basketball.
However, at this point, he's not worried about any outside noise.
That's because he's already helped Jordan win the program's first Moore League boys basketball title since 2009. Now his sole goal is to leave a lasting legacy at Jordan, one that endures with a CIF-SS boys basketball championship banner inside Ron Massey Court and what would become one of his most prized personal possessions, a custom-fitted CIF championship ring.
“It's been a lot,” Chambers said. “It's been hard, hoping the team stays molded together, just winning. We all want to win.”
Jordan (20-12) will play Sage Hill (15-11) in the Division 4A championship game at Edison High School in Huntington Beach on Saturday at 4 p.m. It will be the Panthers' first appearance in the sectional title game since 2006. If Jordan wins, it would be the program's first CIF-SS championship since 1996.
Chambers has embraced his role as the team's starting point guard, which he believes is anchored in leadership.
“As a leader, my role is to keep everybody together,” Chambers said. “Make sure everybody gets open shots, not just shots in general, open shots. Just distributing the ball and scoring when I need to.”
The 6-foot senior put his versatility on display in the quarterfinals and semifinals.
In the team's 89-74 win at home against Cate High in the quarterfinals Feb. 14, Chambers began and ended the game with fastbreak dunks. He started off hot, scoring 15 of his teamhigh 28 points in the first quarter.
In the team's 84-64 win on the road against Pacifica Christian of Santa Monica in the semifinals on Friday, Feb. 17, Chambers nearly recorded a triple-double with 15 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
Chambers believes a true point guard has to be a selfless player but also someone who is willing to step up and carry the scoring load when needed.
“It's more so if my teammates are getting it going,” Chambers continued. “If they are putting the ball in the bucket, there's no need for me to try to be selfish and take away from them because at some point in the game, it's going to be my turn and they respect it just how I respect them. It's about getting the hot hand the ball.”
He's also having fun sharing the backcourt with fellow senior guards Kane Young and Dennis Redmond Jr., who, like Chambers, are also capable of scoring 20 points per game.
“It's been a lot of fun because they take a lot of stress off of me because they can get hot any minute and just take over a game,” Chambers said. “That's what I've been needing so I feel like it's good playing with them.”
Jordan coach Chris Francis has implored his team to respect their opponent and don't take Sage Hill fivestar junior forward Carter Bryant lightly because the Lightning went 4-0 in the playoffs to make it to the championship game, just like the Panthers did. Sage Hill assistant coach Travon Bryant (Carter's uncle) is a 2000 graduate of Jordan High and is the only McDonald's All-American in the school's history.
“We lost a few games this year not respecting our opponent,” Francis said. “I can assure you it won't happen in the championship game.”
Meanwhile, as Francis stood in front of the program's CIF-SS championship plaques from 1991, 1993 and 1996, he said winning the school's fourth championship in just his second year at Jordan would mean the world to him and his coaching staff.
“I just want to finish the job,” Francis explained. “These kids put the work in, my coaching staff put the work in and it would be a true honor. We tell the kids all the time and we show them the banners hanging up inside the gym, and we let them know that if you finish this mission then your name will be hanging up there forever.”
The title would gain added meaning after what the team went through last season. The Panthers began the Moore League season 3-0 and tied for first place but endured a three-week shutdown due to a COVID-19 outbreak in early January 2022. After returning to play, Jordan finished with a nine-game losing streak and a disappointing 10-16 overall record.
“Some tough losses and I think the kids held on to that,” Francis explained. “They say all good teams take on their coach's personality and I'm a hardnosed, hard worker and I think my kids are doing that this year. They're being hard-nosed players and they're working hard and they're reaping the benefits of the work they put it.”
Chambers doesn't expect the championship game to be easy but he's ready to give it his all for Francis, his 12 teammates, and most importantly himself.
“I'm going to give it my all 100% every time for sure,” Chambers said. “(It's going to take) all-out effort. The same effort we've been having postseason and later on in the regular season so it's just about effort.”