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The Register’s preview of the CIF State basketball championship game on Saturday in Sacramento. 

BOYS BASKETBALL CIF STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

DIVISION II

ESPERANZA (29-3) VS. MOREAU CATHOLIC OF HAYWARD (25-9)

Where, when: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, Saturday, 4 p.m.

Outlook: Esperanza has made the most of its second chance. The Aztecs were quickly eliminated in the CIF-Southern Section Open Division playoffs. All CIF-SS Open Division teams received guaranteed entry in the CIF State tournament. In the CIF Southern California Division II Regionals, Esperanza defeated Dorsey of Los Angeles, 66-47, in the first round, Bakersfield, 73-47, in the second round, Crossroads of Santa Monica, 64-51, in the semifinals, and Pasadena, 68-58, in the regionals championship game. This is their first trip to the state championship game. Senior Kezie Okpala, a 6-foot-8 guard, has averaged 33 points a game during the regionals. Okpala, who signed with Stanford, owns every Esperanza scoring record. Other Aztecs have also contributed timely scoring, including 6-6 junior Brendan Harrick, averaging 12 points a game, and 6-foot senior Jared Obermeier (7 points a game). Moreau Catholic is the CIF-North Coast Section Division II champion. In the CIF Northern California Regionals, Moreau defeated Rio Linda, 98-87, in the first round, Beyer of Modesto, 77-54, in the second round, Cardinal Newman of Santa Rosa, 82-66, in the semifinals and St. Francis of Mountain View, 81-77, in overtime in the regional championship game. Mariners 6-3 senior guard Damari Milstead, who signed with Grand Canyon University, is averaging 26 points a game. Kyree Walker, a 6-5 freshman guard, is averaging 21 points a game. Esperanza coach Mark Hill expects Moreau to try to accelerate the pace of the game. “They’re a pressing and trapping team,” Hill said. “And they’re a fast-paced offensive team.” Esperanza is the taller team, which could help the Aztecs as smaller high school teams tend to have difficulty with their outside-shooting accuracy in arenas like the Golden 1 Center, the new home for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.

Contact the reporter: sfryer@scng.com