Mater Dei vs. Oakland Fremont

Where--Arco Arena, Sacramento, 8 tonight

Mater Dei (34-3)--The Monarchs expect Fremont to be in their faces from the opening tipoff with its pressing defense. Mater Dei spent a lot of time practicing breaking the press during workouts earlier this week in the Bren Center. Coach Gary McKnight pulled out all the stops, bringing in Bob Serven, an assistant coach at Santa Margarita, to set up the type of pressure the Monarchs can expect to see from Fremont. It will be up to guards Steve Scoggin, Imran Sufi and swingman Derrick Mansell to handle the pressure. The Tigers held Concord De La Salle to 15 for 50 shooting in the Northern California championship game. McKnight said Mike Bayer still tires easily after battling mononucleosis last month, but the senior forward has played about 30 minutes a game during the playoffs. Sophomore center Jamal Sampson has been in foul trouble the last two games, but is running the floor better after being sidelined much of the season with hand, foot and leg injuries. Tonight’s game is a rematch of the 1995 state championship game, which Mater Dei won in overtime, 71-67. It also marks the fifth appearance in a state final by the Monarchs inMcKnight’s 17 years as coach. Mater Dei defeated Concord Ygnacio Valley, 69-51, in 1987; beat San Francisco Riordan, 62-60, in 1990, and lost to Jason Kidd and his teammates from Alameda St. Joseph, 59-37, in 1992.

Oakland Fremont (28-4)--After watching his team drop De La Salle from the unbeaten ranks last Saturday, Coach Clinton Williams said any team that faces Fremont’s defense is in for “94 feet and 32 minutes of hell.” This is Fremont’s first appearance in the state final since it lost to Mater Dei in 1995. Center Josh Shavies, a 6-foot-6 post player who made 10 of 12 field-goal attempts against De La Salle, said last season’s disappointment has fueled the team to succeed this time around. In 1998, the Tigers thought they had a good chance to reach the final, but a transfer student was ruled ineligible. They had to forfeit 18 games and were eliminated from postseason play. If Mater Dei succeeds in breaking the press tonight, look for Fremont guards Lance Pitts and Marques Williams to pressure their counterparts at the three-point line.

Key to the game--The Monarchs, despite a patchwork lineup most of the season, have won 16 in a row. In past years, however, they have had trouble against quick, agile defenders. If Mater Dei can handle the press, McKnight should have his fourth state title.

Starting Lineups

MATER DEI

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P Name Ht. Avg. F Mike Bayer 6-7 13.7 F Derrick Mansell 6-2 8.9 C Jamal Sampson 6-10 6.0 G Imran Sufi 5-10 4.3 G Steve Scoggin 6-0 14.3

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Coach: Gary McKnight

OAKLAND FREMONT

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P Name Ht. Avg. F Larry Guess 6-5 23.0 F Jermaine Turner 6-4 13.1 C Josh Shavies 6-6 19.1 G Marques Williams 5-9 4.1 G Lance Pitts 5-11 7.0

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Coach: Clinton Williams