SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PREP BASKETBALL REGIONAL PLAYOFFS : BOYS : Division I

Poway vs. Mater Dei

SITE--Bren Center, 7:30 p.m.

RECORDS--Mater Dei (31-1), Poway (24-6).

POWAY--The eighth-seeded Titans breezed through the San Diego Section playoffs before falling to Vista, 64-52, in the final. Three of Poway’s six losses came against Vista. Poway runs the UCLA high-post offense with 6-foot-7 center Andy Davis, who averages 15 points. Forwards Brian Nietz and Chad Wellon average 12 points each and complement Davis.

MATER DEI--The top-seeded Monarchs are coming off a 63-41 domination of Huntington Beach in the Southern Section final and will attempt to win their third State title. “I think the pressure is off us,” Mater Dei Coach Gary McKnight said. “We won the title, now we can get back to business and just play.” McKnight said there isn’t much time to celebrate an eighth section title in 11 years.

KEY TO THE GAME--Poway must come up with a way to offset Mater Dei’s quickness. Expect Poway to play man defense and be very deliberate on offense. Poway’s weak points are its guards and its ability to break a press, two of Mater Dei’s strengths.

CONSENSUS--Poway would have matched up better in the mid-1980s, when it had three Division I college players including Jud Buechler (Arizona and Golden State Warriors). Defense is Poway’s hallmark, but it will take a supreme effort to win this one. Mater Dei appears to be too strong and too quick. Poway will be lucky to come within 20 points.