Brethren Makes 2nd Try for CIF Championship

For the second time in its 42-year history, Brethren High School of Paramount is in the CIF basketball championship game.

The Warriors (19-8), coached by Rich Thomas, will play Faith Baptist (18-10) of Canoga Park for the Southern Section 1-A title Friday night at 7:30 at Biola University.

In 1971, Brethren lost in the finals to Chaminade, 54-52, in two overtimes.

This year’s team, which finished in a fourth-place tie in the Olympic League, has swept through the playoffs without leading scorer Todd Mitchell, who is injured.

But the Warriors have three players averaging in double figures in the playoffs--sophomore Chiron Hart (15.3), junior Brandon Stott (14.8) and senior Chris Beck (11.3).

Stott scored 31 points in a 64-63 victory over Chadwick in the semifinals.

Faith Baptist guard Alex Estrada is averaging 19 points and eight assists a game.

5-AA Finals

Poly, which will play Lynwood Saturday night at 8:30 at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, is in the championship game for the 24th time.

Under Coach Ron Palmer, Poly has won three of its 12 titles, the last in 1984.

The Jackrabbits (25-2) have won 18 consecutive games. Their big scorer and rebounder is center Willie McGinest.

Lynwood (30-1) is led by Earnest Killum, who averages about 30 points a game.

This game will feature a battle of two excellent point guards--Michael Singleton of Lynwood and Tyus Edney of Poly.

4-AA Finals

Compton (22-6), making its first title appearance in 21 years, will play Glendora (25-5) tonight at 8:30 at UC Irvine’s Bren Events Center.

In an 86-73 semifinal victory over Edison, the Tarbabes got 33 points and 16 rebounds from center James Williams.

4-A Finals

“The place will be a madhouse,” said Artesia Coach Wayne Merino, referring to the Bren Center, where the Pioneers (24-2) play San Marcos of Santa Barbara (24-6) tonight at 6:45.

Artesia’s All-American center Ed O’Bannon scored 28 points in a 75-45 rout of Burroughs of Burbank in the semifinals.

The Pioneers lost to Dominguez in the title game last year.

Girls

Lynwood (25-1) will try to avenge its only loss of the season when the Knights play Morningside (27-3) in the 5-AA title game Friday night at 8:30 at the Bren Center.

Tbe game should feature a duel between Morningside scoring sensation Lisa Leslie and Lynwood star Linda Watson.

Valley Christian (21-4) will play defending champion St. Joseph of Santa Maria (24-3) in the 2-A title game tonight a 7:30 at Hancock College in Santa Maria.