PREP BASKETBALL REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES : Boys’ Division I Regional Final : Los Angeles Crenshaw vs. Mater Dei, 7:30 p.m.

Where--Anaheim Arena.

Crenshaw (27-2)--It’s hard to find a weakness with the Cougars, who have won 17 consecutive games. Four starters are back from last season’s team, which won the State Division I title. Crenshaw, ranked fifth in the nation by USA Today, averages 98 points and has scored more than 120 points six times. Kristaan Johnson, son of Marques Johnson, Tremaine Fowlkes and Reggie McFerren all average about 20 points, but the Cougars don’t rely on those three players. They go nine deep and any one of them can hurt you.

Mater Dei (33-0)--The Monarchs, ranked second by USA Today, got rolling again Thursday, scoring 51 points in the second half to beat Fresno Bullard, 84-68. Freshman Schea Cotton has been a dominating force the last two weeks. He scored 29 against Crescenta Valley in the first round of the regional and 36 against Bullard. Miles Simon has had consecutive off nights offensively, but don’t expect that to last. Mater Dei has lost twice to Crenshaw in the regional final. The Cougars won last season, 63-61, and in 1986, 59-57.

Key to the game--A lot will depend on Shaun Jackson, Mater Dei’s center. When he’s playing well, the Monarchs look smooth. When he gets in foul trouble, they tend to depend too much on Cotton and Simon. It’s important that Mater Dei does not get caught up in a run-and-shoot game. If they do, it could be a first; the Monarchs have never been embarrassed since McKnight took over the program 12 years ago. The Cougars’ key is simple: Just keep playing the way they are playing.

Starting Lineups

CRENSHAW

P Name Ht. Avg. F Tremaine Fowlkes 6-6 1/2 25.5 F Kristaan Johnson 6-5 23.3 C Leon Watson 6-8 4.0 G Reggie McFerren 6-6 19.3 G Tommie Davis 5-8 1/2 9.0

Coach: Willie West

MATER DEI

P Name Ht. Avg. F Darren Hite 6-6 8.0 F Schea Cotton 6-5 21.0 C Shaun Jackson 6-7 14.0 G Miles Simon 6-4 21.0 G Clay McKnight 6-2 16.0

Coach: Gary McKnight