Preview: NorCal Boys Finals

DIVISION II

Damari Milstead is committed to Grand Canyon University, where he’ll join former Mariners teammate, Oscar Frayer. (Phillip Walton photo)

MATCHUP: No. 3 Moreau Catholic-Hayward (24-9) at No. 1 St. Francis-Mountain View (21-9), 6 p.m.
HISTORY: Moreau Catholic’s only other regional finals appearance came in 2014, when it defeated Salesian-Richmond 61-52 in the Div. IV championship. That preceded to straight years of opening-round losses in the Open Division for the Mariners. St. Francis is in its ninth trip to this stage (the most of any NorCal boys team the season). The Lancers have four regional titles, which includes their last appearance in 2010.
MOREAU CATHOLIC KEY TO VICTORY: Make everything come up Milstead. For as great a freshman season 6-5 swingman Kyree Walker is having, the Mariners are Damari Milstead’s team. The four-year starting senior guard is averaging 25 points on the season, but has raised that mark to 30 points over Moreau’s last four games. He was one rebound shy of a triple double (27 pts., 9 rebs., 10 asst., 4 stls.) in a regional quarterfinal win over Beyer-Modesto.
ST. FRANCIS KEY TO VICTORY: Dictate pace. Milstead and Walker thrive in the open floor for Moreau, and the Mariners have other role players who can find rhythm if there’s a good flow. St. Francis can play up-tempo, but would be better served to keep Moreau bottled up.
PREDICTION: St. Francis 66, Moreau Catholic 59

DIVISION III

MATCHUP: No. 4 Mission-San Francisco (33-1) at No. 3 Vanden-Fairfield (30-3), 7 p.m.
HISTORY: Mission is not only makings its first regional finals appearance in program history, but it’s just the fourth appearance ever for a San Francisco public school. The only S.F. public school to reach a state final was Washington in 1982. Vanden, meanwhile, makes its seventh showing on this stage and its first since 1996. The Vikings have won twice, in 1990 and 1991.
MISSION KEY TO VICTORY: Don’t let the moment get too big. For obvious reasons, the Bears could be left feeling a lot of pressure prior to tip-off Saturday. Getting out to a fast start to could go a long way in making sure this history-making bunch stays loose.
VANDEN KEY TO VICTORY: Savor the home cooking. With the CIF choosing to go with just one neutral site for Open and Division I games, the Vikings get the rare opportunity to play for a regional title on their home floor — a place they’ve been dominant all season long. Vanden is 10-0 in its home gym with an average margin of victory of 25.6 points. Monterey’s 14-point CIF quarterfinal loss on March 8 was the closest any team has come to the Vikings on their home hardwood.
PREDICTION: Vanden 71, Mission 67

DIVISION IV

MATCHUP: No. 3 St. Patrick-St. Vincent-Vallejo (26-7) at No. 1 Palma-Salinas (25-4), 6 p.m.
HISTORY: St. Patrick-St. Vincent is snapping a 29-year regional finals drought after losing in its only appearance in 1988. Palma is 3-0 in regional finals, including last year’s Division IV championship. The Chieftains would end up losing the state final to Harvard-Westlake-North Hollywood last season, but they do have one state title from 1992.
ST. PATRICK KEY TO VICTORY: Rebound and run. The Bruins are an offensive basketball team averaging 71 points per game. Three seniors: Tavian Henderson, BJ Standley and Marquel Johnson all average 13 points or better. Palma will have a size advantage, so it’s imperative that SPSV box out, limit second-chance points and push the pace.
PALMA KEY TO VICTORY: Get stops. Also known as, play to their strength. The Chieftains are among the best defensive teams among the NorCal finalists, allowing opponents and average of just 47 points over 29 games. With SPSV’s three-headed monster, help defense will be critical.
PREDICTION: St. Patrick-St. Vincent 62, Palma 55

DIVISION V

MATCHUP: No. 2 Elliot Christian-Lodi (29-4) at No. 1 St. Francis-Watsonville (28-2), 6 p.m.
HISTORY: Both teams are making their first appearance in a regional final. St. Francis is looking to become just the third team from Santa Cruz County to reach a state final (Aptos in 1986, Santa Cruz in 2005). So it’s kind of a big deal.
ELLIOT CHRISTIAN KEY TO VICTORY: Communicate. It’ll be an extremely hostile environment in the gym known as the “Shark Tank.” St. Francis is 11-0 in the building this season and a standing room only crowd is sure to be on hand. So the Eagles will have to be especially vigilant about communicating and staying focused at both ends of the floor.
ST. FRANCIS KEY TO VICTORY: Defend the arc. Elliot Christian thrives on its 3-point shooting. The Eagles average 10.5 made 3’s per game and shoot 33.6 percent from distance as a team. Jimmy Beltz and Nate Bond can catch fire in a hurry. St. Francis has to have good close outs, or it could find itself on the wrong end of a 12-0 run really quick.
PREDICTION: Elliot Christian 74, St. Francis 73