Trailblazers look continue recent dominance, while Monarchs hope to build on historic success in Friday showdown.
Video: Sierra Canyon highlights
See the nation's most star-studded team in action.
Tip is set for 8:30 p.m. PT at Long Beach State's Walter Pyramid.
Fans can also follow the scoring live via MaxPreps below.
The matchup presents a contrast in styles as Mater Dei runs a balanced, fundamentally-sound offensive attack with six
players averaging eight or more points per game. Sierra Canyon counters with a high-flying, run and gun style centered around 5-star
prospects
Brandon Boston Jr. (Kentucky signee) and
Ziaire Williams.
Both teams went unbeaten in Open Division pool play to advance to
the title game. Top seed Sierra Canyon (27-4) defeated St. John Bosco
(Bellflower), St. Anthony (Long Beach) and Etiwanda. Seventh-seeded
Mater Dei (25-6) went on the road to defeat Centennial (Corona), Rancho
Christian (Temecula) and Harvard-Westlake (Studio City).
Devin Askew, Mater Dei
Photo by Brian Murphy
Players to watch for the Trailblazers include the aforementioned Boston and Williams along with pivotal role players
Amari Bailey,
Terren Frank (TCU signee),
Harold Yu and
Shy Odom.
Bronny James and
Zaire Wade – sons of current and former NBA stars LeBron James and Dwyane Wade – also contribute for the defending state champs.
Sierra Canyon is looking to repeat at Southern Section champions after defeating Bishop Montgomery 64-57 in the final last season. The Trailblazers have been dominant in the Golden State in recent seasons, compiling a 43-2 record against in-state opponents with a pair of Open Division state titles in consecutive years.
The Monarchs weren't thrilled with six regular season losses, but their championship lineage is virtually unmatched. Under head coach Gary McKnight, Mater Dei has captured 23 Southern Section titles to go along with a state record 11 state crowns. The Orange County powerhouse began the 2019-20 campaign ranked No. 19 nationally by MaxPreps.
Sierra Canyon won both meetings between the teams last season, while Mater Dei defeated the Trailblazers in the 2017-18 Southern Section title game.
Brandon Boston Jr, Sierra Canyon
Photo by Jim Redman
