JUST PREPS: A page dedicated to high schoool athletes, their families and coaches--and to those who follow high school sports. : Area News : CENTRAL CITY

Hundreds of fans, some with tickets, were turned away before the start of a boys’ basketball playoff game between Fontana and St. John Bosco at Eisenhower High last Friday. The Southern Section Division I-AA quarterfinal featured two of the area’s top players, Corey Benjamin of Fontana and Schea Cotton of St. John Bosco. Each school sold about 500 advance tickets, but the doors at Eisenhower were shut 30 minutes before tip-off when the gym reached capacity. Fontana won, 76-65. . . . After beginning the season with a 3-7 record, the Cathedral boys’ basketball team turned things around and will play St. Bernard for the Southern Section Division IV-AA title at the Bren Center Friday night at 8. Cathedral Coach Oscar Leong said every team his school played before league games qualified for the playoffs. The Phantoms (15-10), who haven’t played in a divisional final since 1978, are led by forward Torrence Nivens and guard Louis Leal, who are averaging 20 and 18 points, respectively. . . . The Dominguez boys’ basketball team improved its winning streak to 26 games with a 57-48 victory over Lakewood Artesia in a Southern Section Division II-A semifinal Tuesday night. Sophomore guard Deandre Moore led the Dons (29-2), who are averaging 88 points in four playoff games. . . . The Dominguez boys’ soccer team will also be vying for a section title this weekend after defeating Bell Gardens, 1-0, in a Division II semifinal Tuesday. Gerardo Torres’ goal in overtime was the difference for the Dons, who will play Orange in the championship game at Gahr High Saturday at 2 p.m. . . . After losing to Banning in the City Section boys’ soccer final last year, Garfield gets a chance at redemption today when the schools meet in a semifinal game at 2:45 p.m. Garfield (13-1-5) has outscored three playoff opponents, 8-3. Sophomore forward Chris Vidal has three goals and three assists for the Bulldogs.