McKnight apparently told the TV halftime interviewer the officiating has been terrible both ays. Once he returned to the bench, the first thing he did was ask a couple reporters at press row, “Is it me?”

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Fryer couldn’t hear what the MD coaches told the boys during the quarter break other than what offense MD was going to run, which would be inappropriate for me to reveal.

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In less than two minutes three different players have scored already for the Monarchs. This is why they’re so dangerous. Franklin and Arnet hit open jumpers, as did David Wear. All five players on teh floor can shoot, but what nakes so affective is they’re not all looking to shoot. The Mitty will have to respect each player.

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Mater Dei and Archbishop Mitty (the Mitty) have just finished warmups at the Arco Arena in Sacramento. Since I’m sitting behind a row of people, I didn’t get a good feel of the players’ nerves. But I got something even better than that: Mater Dei coach Gary McKnight. Fryer and I are right behind the MD bench, meaning McKnight will be standing maybe 10 feet in front of me all night. So here’s the deal, I’ll give up the goods, but you gotta promise not to say anything. Agree? OK then. Let’s get this thing started.

Boys Division IV: Campbell Hall 83, St. Mary’s of Berkeley 61.

• Campbell Hall led by 31 points in third quarter before St. Mary’s went on a 21-2 run.
• CH’s Jrue Holiday (UCLA) had 31 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists, while also fouling out
• CH freshman Austin McBroom had 30 points, seven assists and three steals
• CH has won state title three of the past four years

Girls Division II: Archbishop Mitty 59, Mira Costa 49 (OT)

• Mira Costa led 26-20 at halftime
• MC’s Mikay Maly-Karros scored a game-high 20 points but fouled out in the fourht quarter
• MC’s Megan Richardson had 15 points, 11 rebounds

Girls Division IV: St. Patrick/St. Vincent 67, La Jolla Country Day 65

CIF BOYS BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

MATER DEI (34-1) VS. ARCHBISHOP MITTY OF SAN JOSE (32-1)

Division II

At Arco Arena, Sacramento, Friday, 8 p.m.

TV: Prime Ticket

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What a great second-chance run it has been for Santa Margarita. The Eagles lost to Dominguez of Compton in a CIF-Southern Section Division I-AA semifinal game, but still qualified for the state playoffs. Santa Margarita won its three CIF Southern California Regionals Division III games to get to the state championships, in which the Eagles will play Sacramento in the state Division III game Saturday at Arco Arena on Saturday at 2:45 p.m. Santa Margarita coach Jerry DeBusk described Sacramento’s Dragons as “very Dominguez-like.” Will it be a Dominguez-like outcome?

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Mater Dei (34-1) vs Archbishop Mitty of San Jose (32-1) at Arco Arena in Sacramento, Friday at 8 p.m. (live telecast on Prime Ticket).

This is a rematch of last year’s Division II state final, in which Mater Dei beat Mitty in overtime, 69-64. In that game, Mater Dei’s Taylor King was credited for a basket that did not go in, in the third quarter. Let’s see … if Mater Dei had two fewer points at the end of regulation … ah, never mind. I think things could be reversed this time around …

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Archbishop Mitty of San Jose won its Division II final in the CIF Northern California Regionals in boys basketball tonight. Mater Dei will play Mitty in the CIF State Championships Division II game Friday at 8 p.m. in Sacramento. Mater Dei beat Mitty in overtime in last year’s Division II state final. “I think they’re ticked after what happened last year,” Mater Dei coach Gary McKnight said of Mitty. Mater Dei is No. 1 and Mitty is No. 2 in state boys basketball rankings.

– Steve Fryer

My Mater Dei-Edison of Fresno Southern Regional Finals blog in its entirety…

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