September 7, 2024

OC Sports Zone: Community First

PHOTOS: OC players to watch in Saturday’s CIF boys basketball championship games

Mater Dei sophomore Owen Verna (No. 3), No. 2 Nolan Jacobsen and the Monarchs meet Etiwanda in the Division 1 championship game Saturday. (Photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

Four Orange County high school basketball teams will be going for CIF titles on Saturday and there are some outstanding players who will be leading their teams.

Among them are Tesoro guard Carson Brown, who has become the program’s all-time leading scorer. He has some talented teammates, including Blake Manning, Nathan Draper and Jake Bennett.

For players to watch, click on the first photo:

Tesoro (28-4) takes on Orange Lutheran Saturday at 8 p.m. in the 2AA title game at Edison High School. Orange Lutheran is led by Zion Paleo and David Manea.

Mater Dei has a talented starting lineup that includes 6-8 senior Zack Davidson, 6-3 freshman Luke Barnett and 6-8 freshman Brannon Martinsen. Sophomore Owen Verna has had some big games in the playoffs for the Monarchs.

Mater Dei plays Etiwanda Saturday at 3 p.m. at Honda Center in the Division 1 title game.

Sage Hill is led by junior center Carter Bryant, who led the Lightning to the Pacific Coast League title.

Sage Hill faces Long Beach Jordan in the 4A title game Saturday at 4 p.m. at Edison High School.

All the teams competing in the finals advance to next week’s state tournament.

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—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com