SoCalHoops Recruiting News

CIF State D-III Boys' Final Preview: Rosters,
Records & Predictions--(Mar. 15, 2001)

Division II State Final
Torrance Bishop Montgomery vs. San Francisco Riordan
Saturday, March 17, 2001 @ 2:45 p.m.
Arco Arena, Sacramento

Here's the "official" preview article from the State CIF's own official website (this can also be found at this link):

Division III Boys -- Bishop Montgomery, Torrance (29-2) vs. Archbishop Riordan, SF (28-8)
Bishop Montgomery advances to its second straight state title game. Last year the Knights defeated Foothill Pleasanton in the finals. To get back, Bishop Montgomery defeated St. Augustine, 88-68, in the regional finals. Errick Craven was a big factor for the Knights with 24 points and eight rebounds, while Derrick Craven had 18 point and Kenny D'Oyen 12. Riordan makes its first appearance in the finals since 1990, when the Crusaders lost to Mater Dei, 62-60, in the Division I state final game. Marquise Kately challenged the NorCal Regional final record book for points scored with 39 points and also pulled down 12 rebounds against McAteer San Francisco as Riordan won easily, 70-46.

Ok, that's the "official" preview.  Here's ours:  We've seen both of these teams this season, Riordan at the Chaminade Tournament in December, and Bishop Montgomery at various times throughout the season.   Riordan has less distance to travel, but they'd better bring their Dramamine because watching the Bishop Montgomery Knights is guaranteed to bring on a case of motion sickness if you are a Riordan fan.  Honestly, we don't see terrible matchup problems unless Riordan is going to try to stop Errick and Derrick Craven.  Of course they will and that's where the Crusaders' problems will begin and end.  Riordan and Bishop Montgomery actually matchup well size-wise just comparing their rosters, but that's where the similarities end:   While Fred Washington will matchup well with Maurquise Kately, beyond that, we've just got to give the edge to the Knights.  Riordan will likely play John Tofi on Washington as well, leaving Kately to be guarded by either of the Cravens or DeVaughn Peace, or perhaps Ryan Bruno will be guarding Peace and vice-versa;    Kenny D'Oyen may also have met his size-match in Josh Vegara.    Among the starters for Riordan, Hodles is averaging 7 ppg and 3.2 rpg, Vergara is averaging 5.3 ppg 1.5 rpg, Tofi is averaging 11.6 ppg and 9.8 rpg, Bruno 4.3 ppg and 5.1 rpgg, and the big gun, Kately is averaging 20.1 ppg and 8.8 rpg.    That's a total of 50.3 ppg from their starters.

Bishop Montgomery, on the other hand, is led by Errick and Derrick, who between them came into the Southern Section playoffs averaging 35 points between them (Errick at 19.5 ppg and 7 rpg, and Derrick at 15.5 ppg and 6.5 rpg). DeVaughn Peace averages 9.5 and 5 rpg, Kenny D'Oyen 9 ppg, and Fred Washington 12 and 6.   That's a total of 65.5.  And Bishop Montgomery hasn't exactly been playing slouch teams either:  The Knights have wins against South Torrance, Leuzinger, Long Beach Jordan, Bonita Vista, Buirnett (Canada), Pasadena Muir, LD Bell (Texas), Plano East (Texas), St. Bernard (twice), Compton, Gardena Serra, Artesia, Corona Centennial, St. Paul (twice), Bishop Amat (twice), and Pasadena.  Their only losses of the season have been a 3 point loss early in the season to Westchester (88-85), and to Dunbar of Texas in the Whataburger Classic in December.  Since then, they've been unstoppable, plowing through league play, the Southern Section playoffs, and the Southern Regionals.

The biggest problem for Riordan will be Bishop Montgomery's speed and endurance.  The Knights are, as a team, virtually indefatigueable, tireless and they play hard from buzzer to buzzer.  Their strength and quickness are truly what's overwhelming, and we've talked to players who have had to face the twins and company, and the single factor most point to is that at minute one, they're in your face,   and at minute 32, they're still in your face, never seeming to get tired, which is probably the most disturbing thing an opponent can experience.

Riordan won't be a pushover for the Knights. With a 28-8 record, they've beaten some good teams, but have also lost some key games to most of the better teams in Division III and above:  Woodside early in the season; McAteer also in tournament play, a 66-59 loss they avenged in the NorCal finals last weekend;   Bishop O'Dowd, NorCal's Junipero Serra, West Hills Chaminade, and to San Jose Bellarmine Prep. They have wins against Capuchino, San Leandro, Hillsdale, Los Altos, Menlo-Atherton, Terra Nova, Aragon, LA Birmingham, Campbell Hall, AB Miller,  Mitty, Sacred Heart, St. Ignatius, St. Francis, and in the WCAL Playoffs, over Mitty, St. Ignatius, and Sacred Heart.  In the Central Coast Section Playoffs, they beat Pioneer, Gunderson, Santa Cruz, and Sacred Heart (again).  Riordan has one State Championship (1990), one other NorCal regional title (1990), and 11 prior Section titles and league championships.

Having said all of that, we still have to pick Bishop Montgomery to win this game.  Errick and Derrick, if they are breathing and ambulatory, will (note we don't say "should") be unstoppable.  The only thing in doubt is the final margin of victory.  You heard it here.  Sorry Cursaders, it was a nice run.  See you next season.

Ah, spoken like a true SoCal fan. . . .

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