The California HS Basketball State Championships Come to Berkeley

By Connor Buestad (connorbuestad@gmail.com)

For as long as one can remember, the boys hoops state title games have always been played up in Sacramento, inside the home of the Kings. But fortunately for Bay Area basketball fans, the event has shifted down to the home of the Bears, as this weekend the capital of California's amateur hoops scene will be in Berkeley at Haas Pavilion. 

Including girls, Haas will host at total of twelve games this weekend, from Friday afternoon through Saturday night. The boys schools representing the Bay will include San Francisco's University High, Campolindo of Moraga, San Ramon Valley, Archbishop Mitty of San Jose and the Bishop O' Dowd Dragons of Oakland. 

On Friday at 12 noon, University High will kick things off in Berkeley when they square off with Sierra Canyon High School in the Division 5 title. That afternoon, at 4pm, the Campolindo Cougars will take on Damien High School in the Division 3 championship. Campo is looking to continue an incredible year of sports in Moraga. One that saw Campo win their first state championship in football with a dramatic fourth quarter comeback. Lastly at 8pm on Friday, San Ramon Valley will try to win the Division 1 title over Chino Hills. 

On Saturday the action will resume in Berkeley with the Division 2 bracket crowning their champion. Archbishop Mitty, the alma mater of Aaron Gordon is back in the spotlight as they take on La Mirada at 4pm. Finally, at 8pm, Bishop O' Dowd will meet Mater Dei in the Open Division (the highest division) state championship. O' Dowd features electrifying forward Ivan Rabb, who in a few weeks will be headed to Chicago to play in the McDonald's All-American game. We can only hope the dynamic 6'11" scorer will be playing in a CAL Bears jersey next season. He'd have to say no to the likes of Arizona and Kentucky to do so.

Last year Rabb matched up with current Arizona star Stanley Johnson when the Dragons lost handily to Mater Dei in Sacramento. Saturday's state title rematch should be something to see. Stay close to @Section925 all weekend for updates and photos...