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Who: Archbishop Mitty Monarchs (31-2, 13-1) vs. Summit SkyHawks (28-7, 10-0)
Where: Power Balance Pavilion (Formerly Arco Arena), Sacramento
When: Friday, March 25, 8 p.m.
Come support the Central Coast Section, as the area’s top basketball team, Archbishop Mitty, goes for a Division 2 state title. The Monarchs will be matched up with the Southern Section’s Summit, a team that surprised many in making it this far.
“Everyone always thought it would be (San Diego) Lincoln, so we are a little shocked,” Mitty head coach Tim Kennedy said.
Lincoln has been at the top of the Division 2 state rankings all season long, and had only one loss before going down to the SkyHawks in the semifinals.
Either way, Mitty will be preparing for a talented group of skilled players. Summit has a Big Three in guards Montigo Alford and Devon Alexander and forward Dorian Cason.
Alford is a lightning quick point guard with an excellent handle, while Alexander is the team’s top outside shooter. Cason, at 6-foot-7, has been a monster in the paint throughout the postseason.
The Monarchs field an incredibly balanced team of their own, with supremely talented sophomore forward Aaron Gordon surrounding by a group of steady guards. Seniors Colin Wan and Kyle Toth form the core of an experienced backcourt that rarely turns the ball over and almost always makes the right decision with where to pass.
Junior Neil Vranicar is also expected to play a large role, as the 6-foot-5 forward is a very strong all-around player.
“It’s been a combination of everything this year,” Kennedy said when talking about how his team has been successful. “Aaron gets most of the attention, but our guards have been huge for us. Vranicar and Wan and Toth all do a great job of getting us easy buckets.”
Preventing easy buckets is high up on Kennedy’s list of things to preach to his team this week. Summit does a great job on the offensive glass thanks to the way Alford drives to the basket.
“I think keeping them off the boards and slowing down their dribble penetration is going to be key for us, because they’re so athletic and they’re so adept at getting easy shots,” Kennedy said.
Both teams like to get up and down the floor and run, so expect some high-flying action and big-time dunks. The team that clamps down on defense late in the game will likely be the team holding the trophy at the end. |
