Boys’ basketball: Lonnie Jackson and Valencia get tested

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It’s final exam time for the Valencia basketball team and Boston College-bound senior Lonnie Jackson.

The Vikings host Etiwanda in a Southern Section Division 1AA quarterfinal game on Tuesday. They won’t face a better defensive team, and that’s the challenge for the Vikings.

Jackson has gotten healthy and confident in recent weeks. He turned in a 36-point performance in the second round, but Etiwanda will try to shut him down with a stingy man-to-man defense that relies on team concepts.

Valencia also must deal with Etiwanda’s USC-bound Byron Wesley, who has emerged as a player of the year candidate with his consistent play.

-- Eric Sondheimer