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BOYS’ BASKETBALL

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DIVISION I

Compton Dominguez (32-2) vs. Oakland McClymonds (32-0) at Arco Arena (Sacramento), 8 p.m. Saturday -- This figures to be an emotional game for McClymonds, ranked No. 10 in the nation by USA Today. Not only are the Warriors hoping to avenge last season’s loss to Los Angeles Fairfax in the state championship game, but Coach Dwight Nathaniel has announced he will retire after the game. The Warriors are led by Frank Otis, a 6-foot-6, senior who has signed with Southern Methodist, 6-5 junior forward Damon Powell and guards Will Cherry, Quincy Hill and Damario Sims. Jordan Hamilton, a 6-7 forward for Dominguez, can score from anywhere. Add a swarming defense, tenacity on the offensive boards and quick open-court play, and the Dons, ranked No. 9 by USA Today, have been tough to beat.

DIVISION II

Santa Ana Mater Dei (34-1) vs. San Jose Mitty (32-1) at Arco Arena, 8 p.m. Friday -- Mitty blew a four-point lead with under three minutes to play in last season’s state final and lost to Mater Dei in overtime. The difference this year is Mitty returns its best player in 6-9 forward Drew Gordon, who has signed with UCLA. David Wear, a 6-10 junior forward who has committed to North Carolina, along with his identical twin brother, Travis, is averaging a team-high 16.9 points and nine rebounds for Mater Dei. Mitty is ranked No. 5 in the nation by USA Today, Mater Dei is No. 7.

DIVISION III

Santa Margarita (29-5) vs. Sacramento (30-3) at Arco Arena, 2:45 p.m., Saturday -- Santa Margarita’s losses this season have come against Division I state finalist Dominguez (twice), Division II finalist Mater Dei (twice) and Division IV finalist Campbell Hall. Making their second state final appearance, the Eagles are led by 6-6 senior guard Klay Thompson (Washington State), 6-8 senior center Jaime Serna (UC Santa Barbara) and 6-5 senior forward Zack Zaragoza. Sacramento’s losses this season include a two-point defeat in late December to Southern Section Division I-A finalist Etiwanda, its only Southland opponent.

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DIVISION IV

North Hollywood Campbell Hall (30-5) vs. Albany St. Mary’s (33-1) at Arco Arena, 1:30 p.m., Friday -- Scouting Campbell Hall is a fairly easy process. It’s stopping UCLA-bound Jrue Holiday that’s the hard part. St. Mary’s is led by another UCLA recruit, 6-7 junior forward Reeves Nelson.

DIVISION V

La Canada Renaissance Academy (27-3) vs. Ross Branson (30-3) at Arco Arena, 11:15 a.m., Saturday -- With a front court featuring 6-10 junior Anthony Stover, 6-8 junior Hector Harold and 6-7 sophomore DeAndre Daniels, it’s easy to overlook the guards for Renaissance Academy. In the regional final Saturday against Los Angeles Price, senior guard Josh Thomas made the game-clinching basket for the Wildcats in a 55-52 victory. His backcourt mate, senior Justin Cook, scored a team-high 20 points. Branson, behind point guard Oliver McNally, is making its third consecutive appearance in the Division V state final.

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-- Dan Arritt

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