State Division II Boys’ Final

When--8 tonight

Where--ARCO Arena, Sacramento

Santa Margarita (31-2)--Other than a two-week period in late January and early February during which point guard T.J. Williams was either out with a knee injury or playing hurt because of it, the Eagles have steamrollered opponents. Only two three-point losses separate the team, which is making its first state title game appearance, from an unbeaten record. Eight players average between eight and 14 points, led by swingman Ryan Forehan-Kelly, who scored 12 in a 60-50 victory over Compton in the Southern California Regional final. The players know their roles and when one struggles another picks up the slack. “This is a team of bests,” Eagle Coach Jerry DeBusk said. “The best record, the best results, the best kids.” Center Dekker McKeever has rebounded well in the playoffs and Williams has recovered sufficiently to run the offense. Guard Craig Rice has been an unsung, consistent performer during the team’s current nine-game winning streak. Forward Jake Rohe made all 10 of his free throws in the victory over Compton.

Montgomery (26-7)--The Vikings, who are also making their first state championship appearance, are the tournament’s Cinderella team. They lost their last game of the regular season to Santa Rosa Piner and “didn’t even think we were going to make it into the playoffs,” Viking Coach Tom Fitchie said. But despite a second-place finish in the North Bay League, Montgomery has done well in the playoffs. It upset second-seeded Hayward in the opening round of the North Coast Division II playoffs and has won six in a row. “The guys got a lot of confidence from that win and we’ve been playing well ever since,” Fitchie said. Guard Tony Arnecich has been a mainstay offensively in the playoffs, Fitchie said, and that has freed up guards Nick Galvan and Joe Kelly, who often draws the opposition’s best defender. The Vikings play a man-to-man defense similar to the one used by Compton during its two losses to Santa Margarita. Scott Baxter, a 6-2 guard, is the Vikings’ best man off the bench.

Key to the game--Santa Margarita is playing as if it is on a mission. The Eagles’ match-up zone defense is something Fitchie says his team isn’t used to seeing. Look for the Eagles’ superior depth, height and senior leadership to wear down the Vikings and produce a victory.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Starting Lineups

SANTA MARGARITA

*--*

P Name Ht. Avg. F Ryan Forehan-Kelly 6-4 12.2 F Jake Rohe 6-5 8.0 C Dekker McKeever 6-7 9.6 G Craig Rice 6-2 8.0 G T.J. Williams 5-11 8.3

*--*

Coach: Jerry DeBusk

SANTA ROSA MONTGOMERY

*--*

P Name Ht. Avg. F Tosh Burrus 6-0 5.0 F Trevor Lorz 6-4 17.9 G Tony Arnecich 6-0 11.0 G Nick Galvan 5-10 8.0 G Joe Kelly 6-2 18.0

*--*

Coach: Tom Fitchie