Bozeman, Sampson Lead Mater Dei Past Claremont

Santa Ana Mater Dei got big games from Cedric Bozeman and Jamal Sampson and advanced to the Southern Section Division I-A basketball final with an 85-61 victory over Claremont Tuesday night at Ocean View High.

Bozeman, a guard who will attend UCLA, scored 22 points and made nine of 17 shots. Sampson, a center bound for Cal, scored 24 points and had 10 rebounds.

Mater Dei will play Corona Centennial, a 62-48 winner Tuesday over Villa Park, in the division championship game Saturday at the Arrowhead Pond.

“Big players play big in big games and that is what happened for us tonight,” Mater Dei Coach Gary McKnight said.

Claremont matched the Monarchs early on with outside shooting by Micah Lambard, who finished with 22 points, including three three-pointers.

Mater Dei extended a 19-13 first-quarter lead by forcing several turnovers that resulted in easy baskets.

The Monarchs finished the half with a 21-6 run.

Claremont started the second half with a 10-4 run, but the Monarchs staved off the rally and scored the last three baskets of the third quarter.

“I think we were a little sluggish at the start of the second half, but once we got out in the open court we got things going,” McKnight said.