California high school basketball championships: Saturday’s matchups

California high school basketball championships in Bakersfield

High School state basketball championships

Saturday at Rabobank Arena, Bakersfield

BOYS

Division I

Los Angeles Westchester (31-3) vs. Newark Memorial (30-4), 8 p.m.—With a 5-0 record in state title games, Westchester Coach Ed Azzam has been there, won that. So has Newark junior forward Kendall Andrews, who banked in the winning shot at the buzzer for Richmond Salesian in the Division IV championship last year before transferring and helping the Cougars reach their first state title game since 2000. Newark gives up only 44.9 points per game. “They play hard and really go after the boards,” Azzam said, “so we’re going to have to match their intensity on defense and especially inside rebounding the ball.” Reggie Murphy, a 6-foot-9 forward, had 14 rebounds during the Comets’ 71-63 victory over Santa Ana Mater Dei in the Southern California regional final.

Division III

Gardena Serra (33-2) vs. Oakland Bishop O’Dowd (30-3), 3:30 p.m.—Serra is hoping to wear the special black uniforms it unveiled last week in honor of Stephen Autry, the father of guard Vaughn Autry who died last month from congestive heart failure. “It’s been kind of a struggle, but my family has been there for me,” Vaughn Autry said after helping the Cavaliers defeat Compton Centennial, 74-50, in the Southern California regional final. O’Dowd features a pair of bruisers in 6-9 sophomore Brandon Ashley and 6-5 senior Jordan Barton, who helped the Dragons outrebound Sacramento High, 57-28, during a 57-50 victory in the Northern California regional final.

Division V

La Verne Lutheran (27-8) vs. Ross Branson (25-6), 11:30 a.m.—Lutheran’s run to its first state title game could be dubbed “Hanging with the Coopers.” Coach Eric Cooper has guided a young squad that includes son Eric Cooper Jr., a freshman point guard, and nephew C.J. Cooper, a junior point guard. The Trojans also receive plenty of production from sophomore forward Grant Jerrett, who averages 18.7 points and 10.3 rebounds. Senior guard Tyler Gaffaney averages 14.8 points for Branson, which is vying for its fourth state title in five years after losing in the Northern California regional final last year.

--Ben Bolch

GIRLS

Division V

Long Beach St. Anthony (25-9) vs. Los Altos Hills Pinewood (26-6), 9:30 a.m.—St. Anthony has four players in its rotation 5-11 or taller, including freshman star Kendall Cooper. Pinewood’s tallest player is 5-10. The Panthers must rely on scoring from junior guards Hailie Eackles and Miranda Seto. Pinewood is making its second consecutive state championship appearance; St. Anthony is playing in its first state title game.

Division III

La Puente Bishop Amat (27-7) vs. Stockton St. Mary’s (33-1), 1:30 p.m.—St. Mary’s is top ranked in the nation by ESPN and has two McDonald’s All-Americans, seniors Chelsea Gray and Afure Jemerigbe. The Rams’ only loss was to Santa Ana Mater Dei. Bishop Amat started the state playoffs seeded fifth but has defeated bigger teams from Inglewood and Santa Margarita and a faster team from Agoura. “We don’t particularly match up well against [St. Mary’s], but the same could’ve been said about some of the other teams we played and beat,” Bishop Amat Coach Richard Wiard said.

Division I

Long Beach Poly (32-2) vs. El Dorado Hills Oak Ridge (31-3), 6 p.m.—Poly is trying to become the first school to win five consecutive Division I state championships. With six Division I prospects, the Jackrabbits are tall, athletic, great on the boards and a threat from behind the three-point line. Oak Ridge is a disciplined team led by senior guard Sara James, who is backed by several role players who have been contributing in a big way lately.

--Melissa Rohlin