There isn’t a better Saturday for Northern California basketball fans than this Saturday.
Bishop O'Dowd's Jordan Barton (33) goes up for dunk.
Photo by Matthew Farrell
The CIF North Region Tournament finals – better known too as the NorCal finals – is fantastic because the winner gets a chance to play in the grand finale.
That’s a huge prize.
State finals Saturday – this year March 27 at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield – is even a grander stage for NorCal squads, but Southern California teams tend to prevail – at least on the boys side. At state, the South boys holds an 85-45 lead since 1981, but the NorCal girls lead 66-61.
Saturday’s games, split between Arco Arena in Sacramento (Divisions I-III) and Folsom High School (Divisions IV and V), feature the nation’s top-ranked girls team (St. Mary’s-Stockton), two defending state champs (St. Mary's (Stockton) girls and Salesian (Richmond) boys) and a slew of returners.
Nine of the 10 divisions sport teams that were in the NorCal title game last year, including defending champions Salesian and the girls teams from St. Mary's (Stockton), Berkeley, Carondelet (Concord) and Pinewood (Los Altos Hills).
Six others are trying to make amends and get over the hump following NorCal title-game losses in 2009: St. Francis boys (Div. II), Sacramento boys (Div. III), St. Mary’s boys (Div. IV), Branson boys (Division V), Oak Ridge girls (Div. I) and St. Mary’s girls (Div. IV).
That’s a lot of redemption to make up.
Oak Ridge lost to Carondelet in last year’s Div. II finals 60-50, but moved up to Div. I this season.
What should be the best game of the day?
Very tough to pick among the boys, but we like the cross-sectional matchup between Bishop O’Dowd and hometown Sacramento in Division III.
Oak Ridge senior Sara James (24) is Stanford-bound.
Photo by David Steutel
Another cross-sectional game between St. Francis and another hometown squad Woodcreek – and it’s wild, whacky student body – should offer the most up-and-down high-scoring action.
The Division I and IV boys matchups are rematches of the North Coast Section finals and will be absolutely fierce. The Division V game is utterly intriguing because the two teams play completely opposite styles.
Among the girls, the Division II showdown between MItty and Carondelet has been anticipated for months. We wish only Carondelet’s team leader and top scorer, Santa Clara-bound Ricki Radanovich didn’t break her arm two weeks ago. The gives Mitty a slight edge.
Likewise, Berkeley lost its top inside presence in Clairese Culberson, one of the state’s top juniors, three weeks ago with a torn ACL so it will be short-handed against Oak Ridge and one of the nation’s top players, Sara James.
That probably makes the Division I title game about even.
Sacramento’s girls, an extremely talented squad with dynamic players like Florida-bound Brittany Shine, would be a clear favorite any year, but comes in heavy underdogs against St. Mary’s, which features two McDonald’s All-Americans, Chelsea Gray and Afure Jemerigbe. Sacramento already has two lopsided loss to the Rams, who may not like their 10 a.m. start time.
The Division IV girls game is a NCS repeat and tremendous matchup and features two future college stars. The Division V game pits a perennial power against an up-and-comer.
Here’s a quick breakdown and predicted winner in each game.
CIF North Region Tournament
All championship games Saturday
BOYS
Division I
No. 1 seed De La Salle (29-2) vs. No. 3 Newark Memorial (29-4) at Arco Arena-Sacramento, 8 p.m.
Rematch of NCS championship on March 6, a 40-37 De La Salle victory, promises more stifling defense and relentless putbacks. Second-chance points will prove pivotal. Can Newark hold down Santa Clara-bound 6-9 John McArthur? State Freeman ranking: De La Salle No.6, Newark Memorial No. 8. Predicted winner: Newark Memorial.
St. Francis' Tyler Johnson (24) is bound for Fresno State.
Photo by Dennis Lee
St. Francis tries to erase 2009 NorCal title loss to another SJS squad Rocklin, 79-65, and subdue what promises to be large and loud Woodcreek contingent. Perimeter shooting will decide this one. Can St. Francis and Fresno State-bound Tyler Johnson run enough to negate Woodcreek’s 6-foot-11 Mike Kurtz (14.4 points, 10.1 rebounds per game)?
State Freeman ranking: St. Francis No. 14, Woodcreek No. 22,
Predicted winner: Woodcreek.
Division III
No. 2 Sacramento (26-6) vs. No. 1 Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) (29-3) at Arco Arena, noon.
Much-anticipated showdown between pair of big, athletic and evenly-matched state powers. How O’Dowd handles defensive pressure and Sacramento controls the boards will be keys. Can anyone slow down Sacramento 6-3 junior guard Josiah Turner (28.1 points per game)? Sacramento coach Derek Swafford doesn’t think so, telling the Sacramento Bee: “Our guards will dominate.” State Freeman ranking: Bishop O'Dowd No. 13, Sacramento No. 19. Predicted winner: Sacramento.
Division IV
No. 2 Salesian (Richmond) (32-2) vs. No. 1 St. Mary's (Berkeley) (25-9) at Folsom HS, 7 p.m.
The fifth meeting between league rivals figures to be by far the most intense. How Salesian handles the ball and how St. Mary’s rebounds on the defense end will be the difference. Will Washington-bound Desmond Simmons let loose like he did in Salesian’s state-title win last year? State Freeman ranking: Salesian No. 12, St. Mary's No. 30. Predicted winner: Salesian.
Division V
University (San Francisco) (28-7) vs. No. 1 Branson (Ross) (24-6) at Folsom HS, 3 p.m.
Three-time state champion Branson takes on an upstart, high speed University squad without a player taller than 6-2. Whichever team controls tempo best wins. Who will win battle between all-everything 6-2 guards Tyler Gaffaney (Branson) and University’s Noah Springwater? State Freeman ranking: Branson No. 101, University No. 150. Predicted winner: University.
GIRLS
Division I
No. 1 Berkeley (28-3) vs. No. 2 Oak Ridge (El Dorado Hills) (30-3) at Arco Arena, 6 p.m.
The much-anticipated showdown not only between top-15 teams in the state but marquee matchup of Berkeley junior guard Brittany Boyd and Stanford-bound Sara James. Whichever team shoots higher percentage wins. Can Oak Ridge deal with all of Berkeley’s quickness? State Freeman ranking: Berkeley No. 9, Oak Ridge No. 16. Predicted winner: Berkeley.
Division II
No. 1 Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) (26-5) vs. No. 2 Carondelet (Concord) (26-5) at Arco Arena, 2 p.m.
Two longtime rivals, ranked seventh and eighth in the state, have been pointing to this game for most of the season. The game will be won and lost after Mitty shoots the ball. Can Carondelet’s Hannah Huffman make up the large scoring slack from Ricki Radanovich’s season-ending injury? State Freeman ranking: Archbishop Mitty No. 7, Carondelet No. 8. Predicted winner: Mitty.
Sacramento's Kyra Dunn (33) has signed for Pittsburgh.
Photo by David Steutel
Third meeting between Sac-Joaquin Section rivals, the first two won by St. Mary’s by 42 and 30. Sacramento needs to change strategy drastically to stay with nation’s No. 1 team. Will early start possibly slow down St. Mary’s?
State Freeman ranking: St. Mary's No. 1, Sacramento No. 14.
Predicted winner: St. Mary’s.
Division IV
No. 1 St. Mary's (Berkeley) (30-3) vs. No. 3 McKinleyville (29-3) at Folsom HS, 5 p.m.
Rematch of terrific NCS championship game two weeks earlier, a 53-47 St. Mary’s victory. St. Mary’s must hold keep Oregon State-bound Sage Romberg under 30 points to win. Will St. Mary’s College-signee Danielle Mauldin stay out of foul trouble for St. Mary’s? State Freeman ranking: St. Mary's No. 17, McKinleyville No. 41. Predicted winner: McKinleyville.
Division V
No. 1 Pinewood (25-6) vs. No. 2 Bradshaw Christian (Sacramento) (24-8) at Folsom HS, 1 p.m.
Perennial small-school power Pinewood takes on a fast-rising program that has taken on all-comers this season. Pinewood’s long-range game must connect. How much will last season’s 79-35 Pinewood win over then inexperienced Bradshaw team influence both teams? State Freeman ranking: Pinewood No. 57, Bradshaw Christian No. 180. Predicted winner: Pinewood.
