Chandler’s Block Party Leads Dominguez to Fifth State Final

Tyson Chandler scored 25 points, had 16 rebounds and tied a state record for a playoff game with 14 blocked shots to lead defending state champion Compton Dominguez High to a 75-50 victory over Bakersfield Foothill in the Southern California Regional Division II boys’ basketball championship game Saturday at the Forum.

Dominguez (34-2) will make its fifth championship-game appearance in six years Friday against Newark Memorial at Arco Arena in Sacramento.

Chandler, a 7-foot junior, tied the record set by Darnell Robinson of Emeryville Emery against Colusa in 1988, according to the Cal-Hi Sports state record book.

“I was surprised they kept coming at me,” said Chandler, who made eight of 12 field-goal attempts--including a three-pointer--and eight of 13 free throws.

Foothill (21-13) upset second-seeded Lakewood Artesia Thursday to advance to the regional final.

But Dominguez was too big and too strong for a team with no player taller than 6-4.

“For us to be within 25 points was an accomplishment in itself,” Foothill Coach Todd Adame said.

Forward Keith Brooks scored 16 points and had 10 rebounds for Dominguez, which outrebounded Foothill, 48-23.

Demar Walton scored 16 points to lead Foothill.

DIVISION III

Torrance Bishop Montgomery 72, Inglewood Morningside 59--The Craven twins led the way at the Forum as the Knights won the regional title for the first time.

Bishop Montgomery (27-5) will play Pleasanton Foothill for the state championship on Saturday.

Derrick Craven scored 20 points and had six rebounds five assists and five steals against Morningside. Errick Craven had 18 points and nine steals.

Bishop Montgomery extended a 19-16 first-quarter lead to 43-32 by halftime en route to its second postseason victory over Morningside (23-11). The Knights also defeated the Monarchs in the Southern Section Division III-AA semifinals.

Tracy Cathey scored 22 points and Dwayne Trotter had 17 for Morningside.

DIVISION IV

Playa del Rey St. Bernard 61, Santa Monica Crossroads 42--The Vikings took control with a 13-0 first-quarter run and led by at least six throughout the second half in the regional final at the Pyramid.

Brandon Williams had five of his 14 points during the run and Bernard McCrumby four of his 16. St. Bernard’s 15-5 first-quarter lead was cut to 19-17 late in the second. However, Geoffrey Hooker had back-to-back baskets as the Vikings responded with six consecutive points and led, 25-19, at halftime.

The Roadrunners (25-10) remained within six midway through the third quarter until St. Bernard put the game away with an 11-4 run.

St. Bernard (26-7) will play Tamalpais (32-2) in the state final Friday.

DIVISION V

Los Angeles Price 72, El Cajon Christian 69--The Knights led by 17 midway through the third quarter withstood Chris Carter’s five three-point baskets in the fourth quarter at the Pyramid.

Chris Alexander scored 11 of his 17 points in the first half while Othell Johnson had 16 points and 13 rebounds. Andrew Howard added 15 off the bench as top-seeded Price (33-1) advanced to its first state final.

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Correspondent Steven Herbert contributed to this story.

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Boys’ Finals

Schedule for next weekend’s state championship boys’ basketball games at the Arco Arena in Sacramento:

FRIDAY

Division IV

Playa del Rey St. Bernard (26-7) vs. Mill Valley Tamalpais (32-2), 4 p.m.

Division II

Compton Dominguez (34-2) vs. Newark Memorial (32-0), 8 p.m.

SATURDAY

Division V

Los Angeles Price (33-1) vs. Hoopa Valley (31-3), 11:15 a.m.

Division III

Torrance Bishop Montgomery (27-5) vs. Pleasanton Foothill (29-4), 2:45 p.m.

Division I

Clovis West (39-2) vs. Concord De La Salle (30-1), 8 p.m.