HIGH-SCHOOL 2 PRO'S

With eight City Section championships, four state titles and a 610-201 record in 29 years of coaching, Ed Azzam has built the Westchester High boys' basketball program into a Southern California powerhouse.

But this season, Westchester alumni get to walk around with an added sense of pride because six former Comets are playing in the NBA.

Turn on the TV and there's a good chance you'll get to see an ex-Westchester player in action.

There's Trevor Ariza with the Lakers, Jason Hart with the Clippers, Bobby Brown with the Sacramento Kings, Amir Johnson with the Detroit Pistons, Hassan Adams with the Toronto Raptors and Gabe Pruitt with the Boston Celtics.

"We're proud, but we're more proud of the fact that the seniors we have go to college," Azzam said.

"It's nice to have kids in the NBA, but it has more to do with God's work."

Westchester will be one of the favorites to win this season's City title. The team has an outstanding guard duo in senior Dominique O'Connor and junior Jordin Mayes.

The Comets play host to their own tournament this week, with Woodland Hills Taft, Compton Dominguez and Los Angeles Windward among the teams entered. It begins today and ends Saturday.

latimes