Northern California semifinal previews: Speed versus speed

Miramonte (Orinda, Calif.) girls basketball coach Kelly Sopak and Carondelet (Concord) standout guard Natalie Romeo have been pointing to this showdown between the two state powers for years.

Carondelet (28-3), a private school from Concord, has rattled off 110 wins against 17 losses since the 5-foot-7 point guard Romeo arrived as a freshman in 2010. In the same time, Miramonte (29-1), a public school from Orinda, has gone 110-16.

But never have the two met during that time, and according to Carondelet coach Margaret Gartner, who has the Cougars 22 seasons, she's never faced to Matadors. Sopak, in his fifth season at Miramonte, that's for a reason.

He coaches 10 of the current Carondelet's players, including Romeo, on his Cal Stars AAU program during the summer. Romeo, who has signed to Nebraska, has been a starting guard on his elite team (the program has more than a dozen teams) for four years.



See CIF girls basketball playoff brackets

They text after almost every game.

"I told her I never wanted to play (Carondelet) during the regular season," Sopak said. "I only want to play them if it means something."

Does Tuesday's 7 p.m. CIF Northern California Open Division semifinal game ever mean something. It is considered the most anticipated girls basketball game ever between two Contra Costa County teams. Carondelet is No. 6 nationally and Miramonte No. 13 according to the MaxPreps computer rankings.

It's one of 24 semifinal games that will decide who plays on the big courts on Saturday. See the remaining 23 below. 

The Carondelet-Miramonte tilt isn't just because a NorCal finals bid is at stake, but also because both teams play a relentless, pressure, end-to-end, 3-point shooting brand that is appealing to fans of high-scoring basketball. Carondelet averages 82.3 points per game, second in the state, and Miramonte (78.3) is third.



Carondelet has scored at least 90 in six of its last 11. Romeo averages 19.8 per game, LMU-bound and 3-point specialist Makenzie Cast (15.2), ever-improving 5-11 junior Christina Chenault (11.2) and 5-7 senior guard Gabriella Grupalo (10.2).

"I don't know if we've had a better team on the defensive end, stealing the ball or generally playing during scrambles," said Margaret, whose teams won a state title with Jayne Appell in 2004 and three Northern California titles after.

Six Miramonte players, led by U16 USA team member Sabrina Ionescu (16.1 per game), average in double digits. The others guards Megan Reid, Keana Delos Santos and Mariah Seals, along with post Breanna Alford and forward Uriah Howard.

In an impressive 94-79 first-round win Friday at St. Mary's-Stockton, a team that plays similar to Carondelet and leads the state in scoring, Ionescu, a wiry 5-11 sophomore, had 31, while Seals added 15, Delos Santos 14, Alford 13 and Howard 12.

Of Ionescu, Sopak said: "She just knows how to play the game and does so at a very high level."

The Miramonte coach admitted that Romeo, who had 29 in a first-round win Friday, personifies the matchup. He nicknamed her the "Little General," shortly after she made the Cal Stars elite team as an eighth-grader.



"I was skeptical that she even tried out at that age, but within five minutes, it was clear she was special," Sopak said. "She embodies the systems on both teams. From the time the ball goes up, she lays everything on the line."

The "Other" girls Open game: The other semifinal girls Open game — No. 1 Saint Mary's (Albany) (27-7) versus Salesian (Richmond) (28-6) — might be even better but has been played four times this season and eight over two seasons. The Panthers and Pride have split the eight and feature McDonald's All-Americans Mikayla Cowling and Gabby Green (St. Mary's) and Mariya Moore (Salesian), the 2012-13 Metro Player of the Year. ... Moore played for the Cal Stars with Romeo, Ionescu, Alford and Cast last summer. The team went 54-3 and lost in the Nike national championship game. "You have to go back to the Paris twins (Courtney and Ashley) and Jayne Appel to find two players who have produced more in the Bay Area than Mariya Moore and Natalie Romeo," Sopak said. ... Salesian won the first three games against St. Mary's this season and the Panthers took the NCS D4 finals. ... The game is at 6 p.m. at El Cerrito.

Boys Open: Last month in a 70-52 win, top seed Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) (26-4) avenged its season-ending loss to Modesto Christian (24-8) from last season, but today at Laney College the Dragons can really turn the tables in an Open semifinal game. … MC, which stopped Newark Memorial's 21-game win streak on the road Friday, has done a great job slowing BOD 6-10 junior post Ivan Rabb. With a first-round bye, Mitty has had 10 days off. ... In the first meeting, Rabb had 19, but six of those were late on dunks when the outcome was decided. ... The other semifinal pits third-seed Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) (27-4) at Capital Christian (Sacramento) (27-3), which features 6-9 Michigan-bound D.J. Wilson, 6-6, 260-pound forward Nifae Lealao and a trio of effective guards. Mitty will need 6-8 Ben Kone to contain Wilson and get big games from its trio of guards led by Matt McAndrews, who points had 32 in a first-round win.

Rest of Tuesday's NorCal semifinal games

Quotes from interviews below from Pat O'Rourke at prep2prep.com

All 7 p.m. unless noted

BOYS



Division I
No. 5 McClymonds (Oakland) (21-8) at No. 1 Monte Vista (Danville) (29-1), 7:30 p.m. — McClymonds pulled a big quarterfinal win at San Ramon Valley, which handed Monte Vista its only defeat, also on SRV's home court. McClymonds is led by 6-4 Deion Ellis who scored 18 versus SRV. ... Monte Vista is extremely balanced and senior-dominated and led by Cal Poly bounds Trevor John and 6-9 post Spencer Rust. ... The Mustangs beat McClymonds earlier in the year 65-24 but that is when the Warriors were in turmoil. The Oakland Section five-time defending champion had just let go of their coach and now Edgar Jackson is in charge and he's got the Warriors rolling. "We're throwing that game out the window," Monte Vista coach Nick Jones told Pat O'Rourke at Prep2Prep.com. "They had a lot going on that day so they are a completely different team. They beat San Ramon Valley on SRV's court and we didn't. It's going to be a fight."

See CIF boys basketball brackets

No. 3 Freedom (Oakley) (25-6) at No. 2 Jesuit (Carmichael) (29-3) — Freedom is a newcomer to elite basketball but has a formidable squad led by Elliot Smith and Rodney Pope. Top-10 national football recruit Joe Mixon is a glue and energy guy for Freedom. ... Jesuit, going after its second NorCal final appearance in three years, is led by Isaiah Bailey and Lake Lutes. ... "We have our hands full," Freedom coach Drew Torres said. "We saw Jesuit against Rodriguez and they can go up and down. They have good speed and quickness. They can pass the ball well. Or they can set it up in the halfcourt and score from the inside and outside and from different position. We'll have our hands full." ... Freedom is coming off a 74-72 home comeback win over Rodriguez. ... Jesuit beat Rodriguez 96-68 in the SJS finals at Sleep Train Arena.

Division II
No. 4 Serra (San Mateo) (22-8) at No. 1 Folsom (Folsom, Calif.) (30-2) — The visiting Padres are a scrappy bunch, led by a trio of guards including Danny Mahoney and Sean Watkins. Undersized post Trevor Brown typifies the team's over-achieving nature. ... Folsom, liked No. 1 D1 seed, appears as if it could have easily competed in the Open Division. It is led by super sophomore Jordan Ford. ... Folsom swamped St. Ignatius in its NorCal opener 66-40, a team Serra struggled to beat twice in league play.

No. 7 Grant (Sacramento) (27-6) at No. 3 Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove) (15-17) — Known as a football school, the Pacers handled second-seed Concord in the first round and feature two superb scorers in Jeremee Churchill and Cameron Oliver, who average a combined 35 points per game. ... Don't be fooled by Cosumnes Oakls' record. All but one of their losses were by forfeit for using an ineligible player. Its record on the court this season is 31-1. The Wolfpack are very deep, but are led in scoring by one of the SJS's top athletes Alex Van Dyke, a 6-4 wing who has accepted a football scholarship to play wide receiver at UCLA.

Division III
No. 12 Miramonte (Orinda) (18-12) at No. 9 Drake (San Anselmo) (24-7) — One of the truly most interesting match-ups, considering the teams' high seed. Miramonte upset second-seed Burlingame in overtime last round behind 34 points from 6-5 forward Drew Anderson, who was the team's starting quarterback that won a NCS title. ... On the same night Miramonte prevailed, Drake surprised top-seed and two-time defending champion Sacred Heart Cathedral behind 38 points by 6-6 forward Jesse Hunt.

No. 3 Archbishop Riordan (San Francisco) (20-9) at No. 2 Campolindo (Moraga) (23-7) — The visiting Crusaders are battle-tested coming out of the vaunted WCAL. When hot, they are extremely dangerous and they are led by cousins Jiday Ugbaja, a 6-foot guard who averages 17 ppg, while 6-6 post Chiefy Ugbaja, who averaged 18.1 and 9.2 rebounds. ... Campolindo lost leading scorer and junior guard Matt O'Reilly with a broken arm, but with a deep bench and steady standout play down low from Chris Hansen. Highly athletic win Justin Dunn had a career-high 34 in a first-round 96-64 win over Vanden. ... Point guard Andrew Zolintakis does it all for the Cougars. ... Riordan hold out the last San Francisco hope. The tournament started with a dozen SF teams. ...  "(Hansen) is a load to deal with and he runs the court better than some guards," Riordan coach Rich Buckner said. "Zolintakis reminds me of a cross between Frankie Ferrari and Matt McAndrews. ... We'll see if we're up for the battle."



Division IV
No. 4 St. Patrick-St. Vincent (Vallejo) (25-9) at No. 1 Moreau Catholic (Hayward) (25-6) — Great battle of two similarly athletic and quick teams which haven't played one another. Moreau Catholic coach Frank Knight, whose team is primarily sophomores and freshmen, is concerned the St. Patrick's athletes and the coaching of Derek Walker. "They have athletes at every position and they like to play like we do - up and down," Knight said. "We're playing our best basketball of the year. The kids have really rallied since our loss at the buzzer to Newark memorial. Our goal is to get to that state championship game. We have a shot. It should be fun." ... Walker is likewise concerned with Moreau's sheer skill and athleticsm and pointed to Oscar Frayer, Damari Milstead, Armond Simmons and Brandon Lawrence as future Division I players. "They are the No. 1 seed for a reason," he said. "They are very talented and coach Knight has them doing good things. ... We'll leave it all on the court."

No. 3 Half Moon Bay (26-5) vs. No. 2 Salesian (Richmond) (22-14) at El Cerrito HS, 7:30 p.m. — Interesting match-up of youth (Salesian) versus experience and speed (Salesian) versus halfcourt sets. In other words, this game will be a game of adjustments and HMB's Rich Forslund and Salesian's Bill Mellis are two of the best. Mellis, whose teams have won two state titles and won two other NorCal championships, might be doing his best coaching job with such a young group. Same could be said for Forslund, who coach Riordan to a state title in 2002. ... Salesian is led by 6-9 post Jonathan Galloway and the guard play of DeMar Dunn and Bernard Ward. Freshman Marquel Johnson has really come on. ... Half Moon Bay is led by Rico Nuno, Corey Cilia, Tommy Nuno and E. J. Madriaga. ... Salesian's superior depth might prove decisive.

Division V
No. 4 Branson (Ross) (26-6) at No. 1 Central Catholic (Modesto) (26-6) — This should be a very interesting matchup between teams not only with identical records, but similar balance. Neither team has a prolific scorer but instead relies on multiple threats. The top seed, winners of 18 straight, is led by Jordan Boddie (13.5 ppg), but also gets potential double digit scoring from Joe Hamilton (11.7), Jourdan Johnson (10.9), Peter Hamilton (9.8) and Donovin Townsend (8.7). ... Branson is led by Taylor Walton (15.3), but John Broderickk (10.7), Henry Feinberg (10.7) and Colin Joyce (9.3) and capable scorers. .... The teams have a common opponent in St. Joseph, which Central Catholic handled 68-52 in December. .... Branson lost twice near the buzzer to St. Joseph (64-62 and 49-48).

No. 3 Brookside Christian (Stockton) (25-5) at No. 2 St. Joseph Notre Dame (Alameda) (28-5) — The three-time defending champion Pilots take on a fierce and versatile Brookside team that according to SJ coach Don Lippi "is fearless. They have a lot of weapons who can drive, shoot and work the ball on the inside. They get after it on defense as well." ... Brookside is led by double-digit scorers Kenyon Williams, Kameron Vales and Allein Gonzalez. ... St. Joseph counters with one of Northern California's top big men, 6-7 Long Beach State bound Temidayo Yussuf, along with Marcus Harris, Lamont Banks and Jade' Smith. ... Brookside Christian had its 22-game win snapped in the SJS semifinals, which coach Adam Lichter thinks might be a good thing. ... "We're a school of 115 kids and as they say, we're trying to shock the world," Lichter said. ... Brookside has made almost 200 3-pointers this season but St. Joseph plays a superb zone. "They've mastered it," Lichter said. 

GIRLS
Division I
No. 4 Berkeley (23-8) at No. 1 Deer Valley (Antioch) (24-5) — A rematch of the NCS finals, a 57-47 Deer Valley victory. The Wolverines have won 12 straight since a humbling 81-50 loss to Carondelet. Deer Valley is led by by the trio of Maranne Johnson (14.7 ppg), Sierra Dixon (12.1) and Jordan Morales (9.7). Two others average more than eight points per game. .... Berkeley must keep UOP-bound Desire Finnie out of foul trouble. She was saddled with four fouls most of the second half the first game. .... Berkeley has won the last three NorCal titles, six of eight and 12 overall. 

No. 11 Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) (23-9) at No. 7 Monte Vista (Danville) (24-4), 6 p.m. — Pleasant Grove has been road warriors and Bay Area slayers with two big upsets on the road against McClymonds and Wilcox. The Eagles would pull an even bigger upset at Monte Vista, which went on the road to win 54-42 at Oak Ridge, a team that beat Pleasant Grove in the SJS finals. .... The Eagles are led by Kim Schmelz (11.9 ppg) and Brittany Nguyen (10.9), while Monte Vista is very balanced, but led by Amanda Daily and Madi Burroughs. 



Division II
No. 4 Clayton Valley Charter (Concord) (24-7) at No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) (18-11) — The host Monarchs have won NorCals nine times in various divisions and with coach Sue Phillips in charge and UCLA-bound Kelli Hayes controlling play, they are favorite to win a 10th. ... Clayton Valley has responded exceptionally well following a 52-point loss in the NCS finals to Carondelet. ... The Cougars are led by Kayla Taylor and Sarah Williams.

No. 6 Del Oro (Loomis) (23-9) at No. 2 McNair (Stockton, Calif.) (27-4) — After a semifinal loss in the SJS semifinals, Del Oro has responded superbly behind the trio of Lauren Heyn (13.0 ppg), Mia Maglinte (11.5) and Hannah Jordan (10.5). ... It runs into a juggernaut in McNair, which features one of the top guard in Northern California in Tiara Tucker (16.0). She's not a one-person show by any means as Mandy Coleman (17.4), a 6-4 senior, and Brittany Butler (14.0), a 5-5 senior, are potent scorers.

Division III
No. 4 Florin (Sacramento) (22-10) at No. 1 Enterprise (Redding) (27-2) — Since a 39-37 loss to Modesto Christian in the SJS title game, Florin has won two straight beyind the strong inside play of senior Dalayna Sampton (16.6 ppt, 14.6 rebounds per game), along with Jikara Sellers (9.1 ppg). ... Enterprise's only two losses were to Southern California power Camarillo (28-5) and top-ranked Oregon squad South Medford (26-4). Both those games were competitive. ... The Northern Section champions are led by the trio of Kamira Sanders (18.8 ppg), Jordan Kimbrough (10.5) and Rachel Martin (10.3).

No. 6 Vanden (Fairfield) (25-6) at No. 2 Modesto Christian (Modesto) (24-8) — Since a semifinal SJS loss to Vanden in the semfinals, Vanden has recorded two impressive wins, including a 58-54 quarterfinal win at Encinal when Kayla Blair had 16 points, Kiana Moore added 15 and Aleseana Whitney contributed eight points and 20 rebounds. For the year Blair leads the team at 15 ppg, but Julia Blackshell-Fair really fills up stat sheet while averaging 8.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.8 steals per game. ... Modesto Christian, the SJS champs, are led by Lexi Tubbs (16.7 ppg) and Stephanie Moore (11.1).

Division IV
No. 5 Justin-Siena (Napa) (27-6) at No. 1 Scotts Valley (25-5) — Justin-Siena plays in the Marin County Athletic League with primarily much larger public schools. The competition has paid off thanks largely to the duo of Haley Cremen (17 ppg) and Sadie Irvine (12.3). ... J-S will face a tall and versatile team from the CCS that is led by Nadene Hart (15.5), Angela Silver (14.5) and Charlie Boyle (10.5).

No. 6 Piedmont (21-9) at No. 2 Arcata (Calif.) (25-4) — Behind the famed Paris twins of Courtney and Ashley, Piedmont won two state championships in 2004 and 2005, but haven't won one since. The Highlanders are led by Lauren Seyranian and coach Bryan Gardere, who led those state championship teams. ... Arcata liked to slow the game down and behind a stellar defense earned the second seed. It is led by Lauren McCoy (13.1 ppg) and Vanessa Holland (10.1). 

Division V
No. 4 Eastside College Prep (East Palo Alto) (20-10) vs. No. 1 Brookside Christian (Stockton) (27-4) at Lincoln-Stockton — A contrast in rosters alone pits these two teams as Eastside sports just seven girls on the team, led by Destiny Graham (14.6 ppg), who had 29 in a quarterfinal win over St. Vincent. Alexus Simon averages 11.6 ppg. ... Brookside, which competed in the Open Division last season, has a healthy lot of players, with four of them averaging in double-digit scoring: Ra'Kyra Gabriel (14.6), Ariana Vaughn (11.8), Sydney Fryer (11.5) and Kiara Manipol (10.6). Brookside likes to take 3s, having made 191 of 660.

No. 6 Capital Christian (Sacramento) (26-5) at No. 2 Pinewood (Los Altos Hills) (27-3) — Capital Christian is led by one of Northern California's best in Haleigh Filer (17.3 ppg, 6.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 3.8 steals). She has lots of help from Nicole Colbert (16.8 ppg) and Monique Colbert (12.5). ... Pinewood is the ultimate "who do you stop team." Winners of four state championships under Doc Scheppler, Marissa Hing (12.3 ppg) is the only player that averages in double figures, though five others average more than 6.6 per game.