Boys’ Basketball Regional Finals : Division I: Mater Dei vs. Los Angeles Crenshaw

When--8 p.m.

Where--The Pond.

Crenshaw (25-3)--Vintage Willie West. The veteran Cougar coach has nine new players and still he returns to the Southern California final for the 14th time. The defending state champions have faced Mater Dei three times in the last four years in the regionals and won every time, including last year’s 78-67 victory. This team may not be quite as deep as the 15-man rotation Crenshaw used a year ago, but like every other team West has thrown at the Monarchs, this one will press most of the game. “They are more experienced than we are,” West said. “That will be a big factor. But we are still as aggressive as usual.” Seven players are averaging at least eight points. Guard Alastair Faux is playing despite a sore right wrist, but he scored 15 points Thursday in a 94-77 blowout of Clovis West. Faux, who had 21 points in last year’s victory over Mater Dei, averages 24.5 points and five rebounds.

Mater Dei (32-2)--Vintage Gary McKnight. The veteran Monarch coach has a veteran squad but not much depth past the first five. Nevertheless, with an ailing Kevin Augustine, the standout point guard, and senior forward Tom Lippold in a horrible shooting slump, the Monarchs got through their first two Southern California regionals with poise, precision and panic-free. Augustine has been playing despite a muscle tear in his right-shooting-shoulder and is still not 100% on his banged up left knee. But he has been sensational, nonetheless, scoring 73 points in his last three games. Lippold’s shooting percentage, particularly on three-pointers, has been sinking. “Coach tells me I’m a shooter and to keep shooting,” Lippold said. “But I have been in a terrible slump.”

Key to the game--Too close to call, with a slight historical edge to defending state champion Crenshaw. West has made a career of climbing over McKnight. Mater Dei has not beaten the Cougars since 1984, losing all five games it has played against Crenshaw in the regionals. Crenshaw is only using a nine- or 10-man rotation this season, but Mater Dei is weak once it gets past its starting five. This one might come down to Lippold, who showed signs of shaking his slump by scoring 24 points in Thursday’s 79-72 victory over Westchester, the team Crenshaw defeated, 87-70, to win the City Section title. If Lippold, the University of San Diego-bound senior, can connect on some of his patented three-pointers it will take some pressure off Augustine and draw out Crenshaw’s man-to-man defense. That could bode well for 6-9 center Mike Vukovich, who has signed to attend UC Santa Barbara. He has been steady under the basket throughout the playoffs. Mater Dei can’t afford to commit 21 turnovers as it did last year, and Crenshaw needs to force the Monarchs to cough it up that many times if it wants a chance to advance.

Starting Lineups

CRENSHAW

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P Name Ht. Avg. F Marcus Hadley 6-3 9.2 F Anthony Garrison 6-3 13.2 C Sheve-Khan Jones 6-6 4.5 G Alastair Faux 6-2 24.5 G Kevin Bradley 6-1 17.9

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Coach: Willie West

MATER DEI

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P Name Ht. Avg. F Tom Lippold 6-6 16.1 F Anthony Vallas 6-5 6.3 C Mike Vukovich 6-9 13.0 G David Castleton 6-2 11.1 G Kevin Augustine 6-0 18.9

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Coach: Gary McKnight

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Division V: Calvary Chapel vs. Santa Monica Crossroads

When--11 a.m.

Where--The Pond.

Calvary Chapel (27-5)--The Eagles have had a stellar three seasons with virtually the same starting five. Three losses to Crossroads and two losses to Mater Dei are about the only blemishes they have had against major teams. But to beat Crossroads this time someone must take the load off Kevin Falconer. And the Eagles will have to attack the basket more offensively. Again, they’ll be shooting in a big arena, where they have not fared too well in the last two years. Said Falconer of the Bren Center, where these two met last week: “I absolutely hate that place.”

Crossroads (29-3)--If this sounds like a broken record, so be it. The defending state champions won’t change a thing. Guards Cash Warren and Baron Davis will control the tempo and 6-foot-6 center LeQuan Tolbert will sweep the boards, while attacking offensively around the rim. If either Warren or Davis gets into foul trouble, junior Garrett Nichols, who averages 10.4 points, can fill the void. If they get ahead, they will try to draw Crossroads out of its 2-3 zone defense. In the end, the ball will be in Davis’ hands. .

Key to the game--Don’t look for the third time to be the charm for Calvary Chapel. The Eagles stayed close to Crossroads at the Bren Center in the Southern Section Division IV final, but lost 50-41, thanks to nine free throws down the stretch by Davis. He should be the key factor again. If Calvary Chapel can slow him down and take the ball out of his hands, the Eagles have a chance. They did that, more or less, for three quarters last week, holding Davis to 12 points. Look for a repeat performance on defense from Crossroads. The Roadrunners will pressure Falconer, who is averaging 10 assists, and force someone else to handle the ball. And Crossroads will crash the boards, where David Williams, who has sore ribs, Joe Ortiz and Garid Beeler have yet to establish themselves in the three meetings.

Starting Lineups

CALVARY CHAPEL

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P Name Ht. Avg. F Garid Beeler 6-2 8.0 F Joe Ortiz 6-2 18.0 F David Williams 6-6 4.0 C Robert Cutler 6-6 8.0 G Kevin Falconer 6-1 14.2

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Coach: Craig Falconer

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CROSSROADS

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P Name Ht. Avg. F Felipe Williams 6-3 8.7 F Chad Gordon 6-2 3.4 C LeQuan Tolbert 6-6 14.0 G Cash Warren 6-1 16.9 G Baron Davis 6-3 24.2

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Coach: Daryl Roper