Big Games : Ganesha vs. Bonita

Ganesha High, top-ranked basketball team in the CIF 3-A Division, has coasted through its Hacienda League schedule with as little difficulty as its 13-0 league record might attest. The only thing separating Ganesha (23-1 overall) from finishing with a perfect league record is a game with rival Bonita at 7 p.m. Friday in La Verne.

Considering how Bonita has played lately, winning may not be easy for Ganesha. Bonita has won 8 of its last 10 games to wrap up a playoff berth and run its overall record to 12-10. One of the losses was a 69-55 setback to Ganesha on Jan. 24. Believe it or not, that was one of Ganesha’s closest games in league play.

Bonita has the size to cause problems for Ganesha in the rematch. Bonita, 9-4 in the Hacienda League, is led by 6-6 forward Rick Fluckey, 6-8 center John Gilmartin and 6-0 point guard Clark Moses, the floor leader for the Bearcats. Fluckey is averaging about 14 points to lead Bonita in scoring. Ganesha, which also has good size, is led by 6-7 center Kevin Cutler, 6-4 point guard Oliver Cunningham and 6-3 twin brothers Ronald and Donald English.

Wilson vs. Los Altos

Judging solely by the records of both teams, Wilson would appear to have a substantial advantage over cross-town rival Los Altos going into their Sierra League game at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Los Altos. Wilson is 7-1 in league play and 21-3 overall and Los Altos is 4-4 in league and 10-11 overall. But you will have a difficult time convincing Wilson Coach Mike Lowe, who watched his team suffer a shocking 67-64 loss to Los Altos when the teams met for the first time this season on Jan. 24.

The game is also important to Los Altos because the Conquerors are fighting for a CIF playoff berth. The player who caused the most problems for Wilson in the first game was 6-3 guard Jeff Lucas, who scored 18 points and leads Los Altos in scoring. Other key players for Los Altos are point guard Mark Smith and forwards Will Harris and Joe Gonzales.

Wilson will counter with one of the premier players in the nation, 6-10 center Scott Williams, who scored 27 points in the first meeting between the teams.

S. Pasadena vs. Monrovia

This game will go a long way toward determining the final order of finish in the competitive Rio Hondo League. South Pasadena needs a victory to assure a tie for the league title and Monrovia needs a win to keep its playoff hopes alive. The game is at 8 p.m. tonight in Monrovia.

South Pasadena, tied for first with Blair, is 7-1 in league play and 16-6 overall, and Monrovia (3-5, 8-11) is battling with Temple City and La Canada for the league’s third playoff spot.

South Pasadena had few problems in its 72-51 win over Monrovia on Jan. 24. Much of the credit for South Pasadena’s success has gone to its strong front line of 6-6 forward Ken Boldt, 6-5 center Eric McArthur and 6-3 forward Robert Story. Boldt is averaging 25 points and McArthur 20 points and 19 rebounds to lead the Tigers in scoring.

Youthful Monrovia has only one senior, Charles White, in its starting lineup. That’s good news for Monrovia for next year. But for now the Wildcats have relied on the 6-5 White, who averages 21 points and 15 rebounds.

Arcadia vs. Crescenta Valley

With a 14-9 overall record going into the final week of the season, this is probably Arcadia’s best team in recent years. But the Apaches may still have to take a seat in the stands for the playoffs unless they can defeat Crescenta Valley at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Crescenta Valley.