HS HOOPS: These D4 finalists know each other well

Alpha League rivals Sierra Canyon and Montclair Prep face off at 5 p.m. Friday in the Div. IV-A championship at Mater Dei High in Santa Ana, and though the teams split this season, Sierra Canyon (24-5) should have an edge after defeating the Mounties 68-51 last time in a game in which Sierra Canyon led by as many as 32 points.

"We had a nice win in the semifinals against Pasadena Poly, and Montclair had a nice win against St. Bernard. I'm honestly very excited to play for a CIF championship," Sierra Canyon coach Ryan Silver said. "It's excited for the kids, and it's exciting for the schools."

Two of the San Fernando Valley top guards face off, as Sierra Canyon's Jahmel Taylor goes head to head with Montclair Prep's Trey Dickerson. Taylor, a sophomore, averages 21.6 points and 5.7 rebounds, and he's shooting 38 percent on 3-pointers and 81 percent from the line. Dickerson, a junior, averages 17.6 points and 6.9 assists, and he's shooting 35 percent on 3-pointers.

"Montclair Prep is good, and Dickerson is a very good point guard," Silver said.

Added Montclair Prep assistant Howard Abrams: "It's a classic matchup between those two, and both will eventually be playing in college."

Montclair Prep has history on its side, having won four section championships with one state championship and one state runner-up. Sierra Canyon reached a final last year but has never won a boys' title.

"We're trying to get to the promise land," Silver said. "We're trying to be No. 1, and it's exciting for the kids."