Boys’ basketball: Former Taft Coach Derrick Taylor faces his alma mater in opener

Derrick Taylor, a Taft grad who helped build the Toreadors into a City Section basketball power before leaving for St. John Bosco, gets to face his old school on Wednesday in a Division I playoff opener of the Southern California Regionals at St. John Bosco.

Former Taft Coach Jim Woodard and Taft Athletic Director Mark Drucker were immediately on the phone teasing Taylor on Sunday.

“It’s going to be like a reunion, but this is not a win-win situation,” Taylor said. “I’m a Taft man for life _ except when we have to play them.”

Taft won the City Section Open Division consolation championship and has been gaining momentum, led by center Travis Patrick.

St. John Bosco is led by Vance Jackson.

Here’s the link for complete boys’ pairings.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer