New Polygraph for Santa Clara

In a matchup almost identical to two years ago, Santa Clara will face undefeated Pasadena Poly in the Southern Section Division V-AA championship today.

Pasadena Poly (27-0) had the same record when the teams met in the 1997 championship, won by Santa Clara, 76-70.

To win this time, Pasadena Poly must stop Nick Jones and B.J. Ward of Santa Clara (25-3).

“If I knew how to do that, I’d be a popular guy,” Panther Coach Brad Hall said. “They’re going to score two-thirds of the points Santa Clara scores. It doesn’t look to me like anybody’s stopped them yet.”

Koko Archibong, a 6-foot-7 senior who has committed to Pennsylvania, is a force down low for top-seeded Poly, putting center Terrance Dotsy on the spot for second-seeded Santa Clara.

Dotsy has played well recently, collecting nine points and seven rebounds before fouling out in a 77-56 semifinal victory Tuesday over Pacific Hills.

“He played one of the best games of his life,” said Coach Lou Cvijanovich of Santa Clara.

*

Coach David Nurse of Antelope Valley Christian and his son, point guard Matthew Nurse, have a typical father-son relationship.

Unless there’s a game in progress.

“When he’s out there playing, I’m not ‘Dad,’ ” David said. “I treat him just like another player.”

In the championship game of the Fillmore tournament last December, Matthew fouled out in the first half and the Lions (21-2) lost to Nordhoff, 55-53.

“After he picked up his third foul, he said, ‘Dad, I won’t foul any more,’ ” David said. “Needless to say, he did. I’ve been ‘Coach’ during games ever since then.”

Whatever happens on the court stays on the court.

“When we’re at home, I go back to being ‘Dad,’ ” David said. “We don’t talk about games at all.”

Second-seeded Antelope Valley Christian plays top-seeded Price in the Division V-A championship today.

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SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS’ BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHUPS

DIVISION V-AA

SANTA CLARA vs. PASADENA POLY

Today, 4:45 p.m.

At Bren Center, UC Irvine

Santa Clara (25-3)

* Coach: Lou Cvijanovich, 41st year.

* Top players: Nick Jones (21.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game); B.J. Ward (20.0 points); Terrance Dotsy (9.2 points).

* Fast fact: The Saints have won 14 section and two state championships.

Pasadena Poly (27-0)

* Coach: Brad Hall, 19th year.

* Top players: Koko Archibong (16 points, 10 rebounds); Ryan Haden (10 points).

* Fast fact: The Panthers lost to Santa Clara, 76-70, in the 1997 V-AA championship game.

DIVISION V-A

ANTELOPE VALLEY CHRISTIAN vs. PRICE

At Bren Center, UC Irvine

Today, 3 p.m.

Antelope Valley Christian (21-2)

* Coach: David Nurse, second year.

* Top players: Matthew Nurse (20.2 points); Peter Beaudin (23.2 points, 11 rebounds).

* Fast fact: The Eagles, who lost to Pacific Hills in the 1995 V-A championship, have won 13 consecutive games this season.

Price (25-2)

* Coach: Michael Lynch, third year

* Top players: Mychal Lynch (15 points); Othel Johnson (14 points per game).

* Fast fact: Five players average double figures for Price, which lost to Rolling Hills Prep in a V-A semifinal last year.