BOYS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS

In Division I-A semifinals:

Mater Dei 85, Claremont 61--Mater Dei’s big two came up big against Claremont at Ocean View High.

Claremont matched the Monarchs hoop for hoop early, thanks to the outside shooting of Micah Lambard. He finished with 22 points, including three three-pointers. Mater Dei held a 19-13 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

The Monarchs’ defense tightened in the second quarter, forcing several turnovers that enabled them to get easy fast-break baskets. They finished the half with a 21-6 run thanks to several thunderous dunks and second-chance baskets by center Jamal Sampson. He finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds.

Cedric Bozeman made things happen off the dribble, finishing with 22 points on nine-of-17 shooting. Sampson and Bozeman were named to the Parade All-American team Tuesday.

“Big players play big in big games and that is what happened for us tonight,” Mater Dei Coach Gary McKnight said.

Claremont tried to make it close, starting the second half with a 10-4 run including three consecutive baskets by Lambard, but the Monarchs stopped the rally, scoring the last three baskets of the third quarter.

“I think we were a little sluggish at the start of the second half, but once we got out in the open court we got things going,” McKnight said.

Mater Dei plays Corona Centennial, which defeated Villa Park, 62-48, in the final.