CIF STATE REGIONAL GIRLS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
DIVISION I
Brea Olinda (27-4) vs. Vista Murrieta (30-4)
Where, when: Walter Pyramid at Long Beach State, Saturday, 1 p.m.
Fan info: General admission, $18; students (w/school ID), seniors, children (13 and under), $10; parking, $5. … The game will be shown live on Time Warner Cable and streamed live on www.twccommunity.com.
Outlook: Reili Richardson has been spectacular in her senior season at Brea. In six postseason games, she has averaged 23 points. The Arizona State-bound guard was clutch down the stretch against Troy on Tuesday, penetrating the lane to get herself and her teammates easy looks at the rim. Sophomores Tyiona Watkins and Jasmine Rachal have been consistent as the team’s second- and third-leading scorers, while Krislyn Marsh continues to play with tremendous energy down low, thriving as the team’s primary rebounder and post defender. Vista Murrieta has scored at least 60 points in 13 straight games. The Broncos have four players who average 13 or more points, including senior forward Brittney Reed, who has five 30-point outings in the team’s last seven games. If the game is close in the fourth quarter, as it was against Alemany of Mission Hills and Troy, Richardson and Brea have demonstrated a knack for finding a way to win. If the Ladycats can outlast the Broncos, they’ll earn a second consecutive trip to Sacramento to play in a CIF State championship game.
DIVISION II
Mater Dei (27-5) vs. Cajon of San Bernardino (25-6)
Where, when: Walter Pyramid at Long Beach State, Saturday, 9 a.m.
Fan info: General admission, $18; students (w/school ID), seniors, children (13 and under), $10; parking, $5. … The game will be shown live on Time Warner Cable and streamed live on www.twccommunity.com.
Outlook: There will be plenty of Division 1 talent on the floor when the top-two seeded teams meet in this regional final. Senior center Ally Rosenblum has been a rock for Mater Dei throughout the season, scoring in double figures in every game she’s played this season. Pairing the 6-foot-4 Rosenblum with 6-2 sophomore Emma Torbert in the frouncourt gives the Monarchs a size advantage in the post. Junior point guard Jayda Adams runs the show for Mater Dei, and she’ll have a tough test in battling with Cajon twins Tyla and Tyra Turner, who both average 11 points per game. Small forward Kayla Washington is a Washington State-bound senior who is averaging 22 points and 13 rebounds per game. An up-tempo game favors Cajon, which thrives on forcing turnovers and getting out in transition. If Mater Dei can slow the game down, use its size down low and get production from its bench, it will be headed back to Sacramento for a second consecutive season.
DIVISION III
Orange Lutheran (28-6) vs. Lakeside of Lake Elsinore (28-5)
Where, when: Colony High, Ontario, Saturday, 6 p.m.
Ticket info: General admission, $12; students (w/school ID), seniors, children (13 and under), $8; parking, $5.
Outlook: These two squads matched up three weeks ago in the Division 3AA Southern Section semifinals, and behind a lockdown defensive effort, Orange Lutheran notched a 39-23 victory. The Lancers defense has been something special over the last month, limiting opponents to an average of 27 points in eight postseason outings. Jada Reed has stood out as an on-ball defender, and Taelor Griffin, Gloria Bates and Jessi Matson have taken turns leading the charge on offense. In its last game against Lakeside, Orange Lutheran defended the perimeter effectively, limiting Lakeside to just two 3-pointers. For the second time in as many games, Lakeside will look to avenge one of its five losses on the season. The Lancers topped Norco by 19 points on Tuesday after losing to them by 12 earlier in the season, so they’ve shown the ability to adjust. Will they have enough firepower to combat Orange Lutheran’s tenacious defense? No Lakeside player scored more than five points in the first encounter.
KENNY CONNOLLY
Contact the writer: kconnolly@ocregister.com
