HS HOOPS: City Section championship previews

CITY SECTION BOYS' BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Div. I

Taft (24-4) vs. Westchester (26-3)

TIPOFF: Saturday, 8 p.m. at USC's Galen Center

OUTLOOK: This is the championship matchup everyone has been waiting for, as two heavily talented rivals go head to head in a showdown between two of California's top programs.

Westchester has twice defeated Taft in City finals (in 2006 and 2009), and this time Taft is hoping to break the streak.

"I am expecting a dog fight," Taft coach Derrick Taylor said. "Both teams are physically gifted, and it's going to come down to carrying out a game plan and being mentally focused for 32 minutes. If your mental focus breaks, that's when runs will occur, and we have to prevent runs. I am pretty sure Westerchester feels the same way."

Taft's top players include 6-8 De'Andre Daniels (15.5 points), Bryce Jones (13.9 points), Pierson Williams and Landon Drew. Westchester is led by Dwayne Polee, Jordin Mayes, Kareem Jamar and 6-9 Reggie Murphy.

Div. III

El Camino Real (16-13) vs. Verdugo Hills (23-7)

Tipoff: 1 p.m. Saturday at Roybal High (Los Angeles)

After losing 6 of 7 games at one point and finishing the regular season with just a .500 record and tied for third place in the West Valley League, El Camino Real has found new life in the playoffs. Today the Conquistadores are hoping to win a City basketball championship for the first time in school history.

"We just need to play hard and be loose," El Camino Real coach Dave Rebibo said. "I think our guys are ready. They're excited."

El Camino Real's top players include Tre Holden (23.1 points); Temjae Singleton (13 points, 10 rebounds), J.T. Nemit and Anthony Jones.

Verdugo Hills, led by Nick Brown, Aragad Abramian and 6-7 Chris Dees, has won 14 in a row, including 13 by 11 points or more. The East Valley League champion Dons have won a league title for the first time in 51 years.

-- Gerry Gittelson