Division I Boys : Mater Dei vs. Alameda St. Joseph, 6 p.m.

RECORDS--Mater Dei (34-1), St. Joseph (31-3)

TELEVISION--Prime Ticket (live)

MATER DEI UPDATE--The Monarchs got a full scouting report on St. Joseph thanks to assistant coach Craig Thornburg. Thornburg scouted St. Joseph’s victories over Fremont and Sacramento Jesuit in the Northern California regionals last weekend in Oakland. “They like to play an up-tempo game and run like crazy with Kidd running the show,” McKnight said. “We’re going to have to control the tempo if we hope to win.” Mater Dei has limited 17 of its 35 opponents to 50 points or fewer. Mater Dei goes into the game as an underdog, a position it has rarely held under McKnight in the past 10 years. McKnight, who was asked by Cal State Fullerton officials to apply for the school’s vacant coaching position, is 286-25 at Mater Dei. The Monarchs won State titles in 1987 and 1990.

ST. JOSEPH UPDATE--Kidd gets the notoriety, but the Pilots have a talented supporting cast. Guard Adrian Ealy is a four-year starter who has played more varsity games than any player in state high school history. He averages 18 points. Forward David Victor, a 6-foot-7 transfer from Rhode Island, is averaging 14.2 points and 7.4 rebounds. Sophomore center Miles Tarver, also 6-7, had 11 rebounds in St. Joseph’s 78-73 victory over Jesuit in the Northern California regional final. St. Joseph beat City Section power Fremont to win the State Division I title last year. St. Joseph is 121-14 with Kidd and Ealy in the lineup over the past four years.

KEY TO THE GAME--Mater Dei will have to play its best defensive game, overcome a huge partisan crowd and control the boards if it hopes to win. Kidd, playing his last prep game in front of the hometown fans, must avoid getting caught up in the crowd.

CONSENSUS--Mater Dei is the best team, but then Fremont was the best team last year. Kidd will find a way to win.

Starting Lineups

ST. JOSEPH

P Name Ht. Avg. F David Victor 6-7 14.2 F Malik Jasper 6-3 8.0 C Miles Tarver 6-7 7.0 G Adrian Ealy 6-7 7.0 G Jason Kidd 6-3 26.5

Coach: Frank La Porte

MATER DEI

P Name Ht. Avg. F Marmet Williams 6-5 12.9 F Ray Jackson 6-3 5.8 C Terence Wilborn 6-6 8.8 G Kamran Sufi 5-10 4.8 G Reggie Geary 6-3 14.8

Coach: Gary McKnight