TONIGHT’S SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PREP BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS : BOYS : Division V

Fontana Ambassador Christian vs. Brethren Christian

SITE--Cypress College, 7:30 p.m.

RECORDS--Ambassador Christian (24-7), Brethren Christian (24-7).

AMBASSADOR CHRISTIAN--The seventh-seeded Dawgs lost to Bel-Air Prep, 52-48, in the Division V-AA final but trounced fourth-seeded Reedley Immanuel, 73-55, in the first round of the Southern California playoffs Tuesday. Until its loss to Bel-Air, Ambassador had lost only to schools in Division III or bigger this season. One of Ambassador’s victories came against Chaffey, a Division I team. Rick Martinez, a 5-11 senior guard, averages 24.1 points, 10 assists, six rebounds. Martinez has signed with Wright State, which qualified for the NCAA Tournament Tuesday by winning the Mid-Continent Conference. Donavon Stewart, a 6-3 sophomore forward, averages 20.1 points and 10.9 rebounds. He scored 23 points and had seven rebounds against Immanuel. Martinez had 22 and 13 assists against Immanuel.

BRETHREN CHRISTIAN--The top-seeded Warriors finally played a game in which they didn’t have to rally in the final minute, blowing out Riverdale, 56-22. The easy victory enabled Brethren Coach Richard Thomas to employ more than six players and rest his starters.

KEY TO THE GAME--Ambassador Coach Larry Bailey says it’s tempo. “That’s what hurt us in the Bel-Air game,” he said. “We like to push it more than most teams in Division V. But we may have to slow it down if we find they have better athletes.” The key matchup will likely be Scott Thomas, Brethren’s beat defender and leading scorer, against Martinez. Another factor might be Ambassador’s inexperience; three of their first seven players are freshmen.

CONSENSUS--Expect Thomas to guard Martinez and take him out of the game early. If he can’t, or if he gets in foul trouble, Brethren could be in trouble.