Boys’ basketball: The matchups that were expected in 1AA

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It has been a season with few twists and turns in Southern Section 1AA. The top four teams all season _ Mater Dei, Long Bech Poly, Etiwanda and Loyola _ finally get to play and decide who’s best.

Mater Dei will face Loyola and Etiwanda takes on Poly in the semifinals. The games will be played on Tuesday night at the Anaheim Convention Center. Final times have not been assigned for the games, but they will be either 6:30 p.m. or 8:15 p.m.

There’s no certain winner in either game. Mater Dei is seeded No. 1, but Loyola matches up well with the Monarchs. Both teams like to fast break and shoot threes. Loyola seems to be playing much better after a horrific late-season performance against Taft.

The Etiwanda-Poly game is the fifth meeting in the playoffs between the two schools in the last three years. Each game has been a terrific struggle. Poly has won three times.

This is a doubleheader not to miss. Tickets are $10 and parking $12. FoxSportsWest.com is scheduled to stream the games live. The 1AA girls’ semifinals will be played at 3 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.

-- Eric Sondheimer