STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Today at Arco Arena,

Sacramento

*--* BOYS

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Division II

Santa Ana Mater Dei (34-2) vs. Roseville Woodcreek (27-5), 8 p.m.

Mater Dei had no trouble in an 88-54 victory over Inglewood in the Southern California Regional final last Saturday, when Wesley Washington led the way with 19 points, 15 rebounds and four assists. The Monarchs will have decisive advantages in size and experience tonight, when they try for their fifth state title. Woodcreek’s starters average slightly more than six feet tall but the scrappy Timberwolves used a 19-0 run to overtake Santa Rosa Montgomery, 65-56, in the Northern California Regional final last Saturday. Woodcreek, in the program’s sixth year, is making its first state final appearance.

Division V

Los Angeles Price (32-2) vs. Modesto Christian (25-8), 4 p.m.

Price is trying to become the first boys’ team to win four consecutive state titles. Some bad news for Modesto Christian: Price’s leading scorer, Derrick Williams, could return from a knee injury that has kept him out since the regular-season finale. Modesto Christian, which played for the Division I title two years ago, features a new starting five from last season’s team, including Liam Hughes, a 7-foot-2 center from England.

-- Mike Bresnahan

*--* GIRLS

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Division II

Fullerton Troy (30-2) vs. Vacaville (31-2), 6 p.m.

Both teams are playing in their first title game. Southern Section Division II-AA champion Troy has played its best in its biggest games. Amanda Livingston, a 6-1 center who has been unstoppable in the playoffs, is averaging 17.4 points and 8.8 rebounds and junior Meghan McGuire is averaging 13.8 points. The key could be Troy’s ability to score from the outside to help free Livingston, the only senior starter, in the middle. She will be matched against Vacaville’s Bernadette White, a 6-3 senior averaging 11.5 points and 10.1 rebounds. Vacaville sophomore Tamar Gruwell is averaging 16.2 points. Troy, which has won 15 in a row, will apply pressure in an effort to not only yield turnovers but to wear down Vacaville.

Division V

San Luis Obispo Mission Prep (24-5) vs. San Francisco Convent of the Sacred Heart (28-3), 2 p.m.

Central Section champion Mission Prep is seeking its first state title in its fourth championship appearance, all under Coach Jay Cowitz. The Royals have won 17 in a row. They have also limited their last five opponents to an average of 29.4 points while scoring 63.2, including a 56-19 victory over Visalia Central Valley Christian in the Southern California Regional final last Saturday. Katherine Suderman, a 6-4 junior, is averaging 18.5 points. Two of Sacred Heart’s three losses were to San Francisco Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep, the state Division III finalist, and Piedmont, the Northern California Regional Division IV finalist. Senior Liz Brown averages 13.3 points, sophomore Jestynn Tatum 12.7, and freshman Jen Hum-Traverso 11.1.

-- Martin Henderson