Seahawks face big challenge

Ocean View has not played Foothill this year in boys’ basketball, but Coach Jim Harris said he’s seen plenty headed into the CIF Southern Section Division III-AA championship game, set for 8:15 Saturday night at the Honda Center in Anaheim.

“They have a tremendous point guard,” Harris said of Foothill senior Myles Carrillo, the captain who leads the Knights in scoring at 11.2 points per game.

“They have smart players who look to shoot, and they run their sets relentlessly. It’s going to be a challenge.”

Senior guard/forward Mike Atwater averages more than 10 points per game for Foothill (28-2), the only other player in double figures. But Foothill, the Sea View League champion, also has size in 6-foot-9 senior center Matt Cochran.

Foothill, coached by Rusty Van Cleave, has won 15 games in a row headed into Saturday’s showdown; Ocean View has won 17. Both teams have been battle-tested in these playoffs. The Knights edged Elsinore, 68-62, in the semifinals, while the Seahawks survived a late run to take out La Habra, 67-59, in the quarterfinals.

The continued excellent play of 6-8 senior center Ryan Okwudibonye may be key for Ocean View (27-3). Okwudibonye had 15 points and a career-high 18 rebounds in a 70-51 semifinal win over Palm Springs. In the Seahawks’ last three playoff games, he’s averaged 16 points and 15 rebounds.

Ocean View and its players will also look forward to being the final game of the day at the Honda Center. Last year, they won the Division IV-AA title at Mater Dei High, trampling Inglewood in the final.

“It’s going to be a fun environment to play in,” senior guard Avery Johnson said of the bigger venue. “There’ll be a lot of people there, and it’ll be a lot of fun. If we play our game, play what we’re capable of, we can show that we’re the best team in the county. Me and Anthony [Brown] both feel that, and the rest of our teammates. We don’t feel like we’re No. 2.”

Mater Dei has been ranked No. 1 in Orange County the whole year, with Ocean View at No. 2.

Win or lose Saturday night, Ocean View has already qualified for the CIF State Division III playoffs. The Southern California regional begins Tuesday; brackets should be available this weekend at www.cifstate.org.

Last year, Ocean View won the SoCal title and advanced to the CIF State Division III championship game at Sacramento’s Arco Arena. This year, the state finals are being held at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield on March 26 and 27.

Title Game

CIF Southern Section Division III-AA Championship game

 No. 1 Ocean View (27-3) vs. No. 2 Foothill (28-2), 8:15 p.m. Saturday at the Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim