CIF-SS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
BOYS BASKETBALL
Division 3AA Aquinas (19-1) at King (11-6), 7 p.m.
IE Varsity info: Aquinas is making its second consecutive appearance in a section final and looks to capture the program’s first championship since 1973. The Falcons are the Ambassador League champions and have won 13 straight games. Senior point guard Sheldon Grant is averaging 21.2 points and 5.9 assists per game, and senior forward Nicolas Hopkins is averaging 19.9 points and 8rebounds a game. King started the season strong, but the Wolves needed an at-large berth into the playoffs after finishing tied for third place in the Big VIII League. King has made the most of the opportunity, reaching the final for the first time since 2014. The Wolves are seeking the program’s fourth championship. Senior Jaden Winfield is averaging 22.8 points in the postseason. Senior Sean Rowland and junior Kenneth Clayton also average double-figure points per game in the playoffs. Division 4A
Linfield Christian (22-2) at Pilibos (18-3), 7 p.m. IE Varsity info: Linfield Christian has reached the section final for the first time since 2007 and will look to win the program’s first championship. The Lions’ only losses this season came in league play to Aquinas, which is a Division 3AA finalist. Linfield Christian is led by sophomore Mike McNair (18.8 PPG) and seniors Jeremiah Minegar (16.7 PPG) and Donovan
Cox (15.5 PPG). McNair also averages 9.5 rebounds per game, while Cox leads the team with 4.8 assists per game. Pilibos is making its first appearance in a section final. The Eagles are led by Vartan Mirimanian, Shant Agadganian and Andrew Abkarian.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Division 4A
Rancho Christian (8-1) at Newport Harbor (17-2), 7 p.m.
IE Varsity info: Rancho Christian lost its season opener to Southwestern League champion Murrieta Mesa, but the Eagles have won eight straight and reached a section final for the first time in program history. Rancho Christian defeated top-seeded Gabrielino in the first round and No. 4 seed Pilibos in the semifinals. The Eagles are led offensively by a pair of sophomores, guard Tia Barefield and forward Shaylnn DeYager. Newport Harbor is the division’s
No. 2-seeded team and is making its first final appearance since 1994.