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.