PREP BASKETBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS : SERVITE vs. HAYWARD MT. EDEN

RECORDS--Servite 20-11, Mt. Eden, 28-7

SITE--Oakland Coliseum Arena, 11:15 a.m. Saturday

SERVITE UPDATE--The Friars, making their first appearance in the state tournament final, have been tough in low-scoring games. They beat Corona del Mar, 41-39, in the regional semifinals and Dos Pueblos, 46-29, in the regional final. The key is their play late in the game, particularly from guard guard Jamie Rosenkranz. He hit a three-pointer with two minutes left as Servite rallied to beat Corona del Mar and scored nine of his 15 points in the fourth quarter against Dos Pueblos. “We own the last four minutes,” Coach Richard Smith said. The Friars struggled with free-throw shooting earlier in the tournament. They missed the front end of three one-and-ones in the Division III first-round game against Lemoore and were 13 of 27 from the line in an overtime loss to Estancia in the Southern Section 3-AA championship game. But Servite has shot well from the line in its past two games, making 28 of 39. Senior center Steve Marusich (15.4 points a game) and sophomore forward Adam Anderson (10 points) are the only Friars averaging in double figures.

MT. EDEN--The Monarchs’ tallest players--center Cornelius Walker and forward Dwayne Dupree--are 6-feet-2. But what the Monarchs lack in height they make up for in depth. Coach Ron Benevides uses 11 players and makes as many as 19 substitutions in a half. The Monarchs average 76.1 points a game, an average of 31 from the bench and give up only 52 points. Despite being a small team, Mt. Eden rarely shoots a three-pointer. The Monarchs are only six of eight from three-point range for the season. “That has to be the best percentage in California,” Benevides said. Hayward is located an hour’s drive south of Oakland.

KEYS TO THE GAME--Marusich and Mt. Eden’s bench. If Servite’s 6-7 center needs to have a big game against Mt. Eden’s small lineup. Mt. Eden’s depth could cause problems for Servite, which uses only seven or eight players.

CONSENSUS--Expect another low-scoring game for Servite. Mt. Eden’s defense and depth should be too much for the Friars. But if Marusich gets hot, Servite could pull it out.