HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL / SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS : DIVISION IV BOYS’ FINAL : Lincoln’s Up-Tempo Pace to Test Deliberate Santa Clara’s Patience

Two days after its come-from-behind semifinal win over a small, quick and troublesome St. Monica High team, Santa Clara (27-4) will face more of the same in tonight’s Southern California Division IV regional final at Cal State Dominguez Hills at 8:30.

San Diego Lincoln (22-8) brings an up-tempo, high-scoring game into the final that contrasts with Santa Clara’s patient, deliberate style.

At Ventura College on Thursday, the Saints appeared to be finished late in the third quarter when St. Monica’s fast-breaking guards helped build an 11-point lead. But the Saints remained patient, made few mistakes, and--just like Coach Lou Cvijanovich had it scripted--triumphed in the end. The 57-53 win increased the two-time defending state champions’ playoff win streak to 21.

Santa Clara is attempting to become the first boys’ team in state history to win three consecutive state titles.

“They’re smart, huh?” Lincoln Coach Ron Loneski asked about Santa Clara. “That’s not good. We’re not very smart on the basketball court. But we’ve got a lot of speed and a lot of quickness.”

Lincoln outran Santa Maria St. Joseph in the semifinal on Thursday, 107-89. Santa Clara probably needs two games to total 107 points. The Hornets average more than 80 points a game and have led San Diego County teams in scoring the past five years.

“We run the court,” Loneski said. “We’re in great shape.”

Lincoln features two juniors, two sophomores and one senior in its lineup. Junior Berry Randall (6-4) averages 23 points and 14 rebounds a game to lead the Hornets, and junior Jose Baker (6-1), who plays “like he’s 6-5,” according to Loneski, averages 18.

The show-stopper for Lincoln is 5-foot-4, 125-pound sophomore guard Archie Robinson. Robinson made six of six three-point shots against St. Joseph.

“This kid will blow your mind,” Loneski said. “He’ll shoot your eyes out.”

Loneski intends to press Santa Clara, saying, “They (had) better be able to handle the ball.”

Cvijanovich, too, issued a warning. “We’ll play better defense than he’s faced,” he said.