Mater Dei (32-2) vs. Fresno Clovis West (31-2)

8 TONIGHT FORUM

Mater Dei players, who have said all season that they will settle for nothing less than a state title, are two steps from completing their goal. First, the Monarchs will have to get past Clovis West, which defeated them, 71-64, in last season’s Southern California Regional final at the Forum. Said Monarch guard Ricky Porter: “They beat us last year, and that left a lot of guys hurt. This rematch will be big-time.” Clovis West features a four-guard lineup that plays smothering defense and will look to elevate the tempo against Mater Dei. Eagle guard Tyrone Jackson scored 23 points and sharpshooter Jason Walberg, Coach Vance Walberg’s son, made six three-pointers in Clovis West’s 82-57 romp over Corona Centennial in the regional semifinal. Porter led Mater Dei with 20 points and guard Cedric Bozeman added 19 in the Monarchs’ 61-56 victory over Upland in the other semifinal. Like Mater Dei, Clovis West’s two losses were to out-of-state powerhouses in early-season tournaments. Both teams are undefeated against teams from California.

KEY PLAYERS

Mater Dei

C Jamal Sampson, Sr.

16 points, 10 rebounds

G Cedric Bozeman, Sr.

20 points, 5 assists

G Ricky Porter, Sr.

12 points

F Mike Strawberry, Jr.

9 points, 5 rebounds

G Shaun Michel, Sr.

4 points, 4 assists

Fresno Clovis West

G Tyrone Jackson, Sr.

17 points

G Chris Hernandez, Sr.

17 points

F Nick Debban, Jr.

13 points

G Jason Walberg, Sr.

12 points

G Brian Thurman, Jr.

3 points