Previews, predictions for today’s CIF Southern Section boys basketball championships for the San Gabriel Valley:

DIVISION 2A

Rancho Christian (21-10) vs. La Mirada (24-8) at Colony HS, 4 p.m.

Outlook: The Matadores’ dream run to the Division 2A championship a year ago with a freshman named Julien Gomez ended in a 59-49 loss to San Juan Hills. Well, the Matadores are back with Gomez having even a better sophmore season, averaging 26 points per game, and with experienced players like Sean Cervantes, who proclaimed after their 55-37 semifinal win over Pacifica Christian of Newport Beach that, “We’re gonna get the ring this time. I’m not gonna lose. I can’t lose two times in a row.” Well, the stage is set and Rancho Christian, much like San Juan Hills, will be a favored and formidable opponent in the final. The Eagles, who beat Sierra Canyon and Bronny James back in November, have played a super schedule and are the top seed for a reason, showing it in their 69-50 semifinal win over AGBU/CP. Rancho Christian showed some vulnerability beating Aquinas by only three points in the quarterfinals, but it will have a size advantage with 6-foot-11 senior center Martin Gumwell and 6-foot-8 wing Kevin Patton Jr., who scored a game-high 27 points in its semifinal win.

The pick: Rancho Christian

DIVISION 3AA

St. Pius/St. Matthias (28-4) vs. La Serna (27-5) at Colony HS, noon

Outlook: Lancers coach Marino Angulo deserves a lot of credit for taking his team to the final with nobody over 6-foot-4 on his roster. And the Lancers were great on the road in the semifinals, with Marino Angulo’s son Daniel Angulo hitting two clutch free throws with nine seconds left to secure a 41-38 victory over Camarillo, the Lancers’ seventh straight victory. The Lancers play defense as well as anyone, and junior Gabriel Lewis along with seniors Xavier Ortiz, Zach Leija and Marco Montano are capable of carrying the load on any given night. But let’s face it, it would take some effort to knock off top-seeded St. Pius/St. Matthias, who figured to dominante this division when the pairings came out, and have done just that. You want proof, look no further than St. Pius’ 82-59 semifinal win over Buena, in which its 6-foot-6 junior guard, Tyrone Riley, scored a career-high 53 points with 18 rebounds. Riley has more than a dozen Division I scholarship offers from the likes of Florida, Xavier and others.

The pick: St. Pius/St. Matthias.

DIVISION 3A

San Gabriel Academy (18-14) vs. Oakwood (21-8) at Mira Costa HS, 8 p.m.

Outlook: Few paid much attention to SGA’s early-season losses because the Eagles were waiting for key players to return from injuries, and when they did, you knew a deep playoff run was possible so it was no surprise they reached the championship. SGA had its closest game in its playoff opener against Rialto, winning 63-60, but has grown more dominant during each playoff round, beating Bonita 73-57 behind Jayden Mojica’s game-high 27 points in the semifnals. But with Ethan McCloskey and Michal Baba back from injuries, and starting, they have a good chance to bring home the hardware. Oakwood, however, is no stranger to title games. The Owls will play in their fourth CIF title game since 2019, but have came up short on three recent occassions, having not won the title since 1988. Oakwood, the third seed, advanced with a 78-65 win over Ontario Christian.

The pick: San Gabriel Academy.

DIVISION 5AA

Lynwood (21-10) vs. Bosco Tech (26-6) at Edison HS, noon

Outlook: It has been a fun ride to the championship game for the Tigers, who got a game-high 20 points and four rebounds from Jaden Erami in their 52-47 semifinal win over North Torrance. Ryan Osborne, who averages 22 points a game, finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds, and sophomore Darius Benitez, who also averages in double figures, scored 16 points. The Tigers have won eight straight, but they haven’t faced anything like top seed Lynwood in the playoffs. Lynwood has crushed everyone on its way to the final. The Tigers’ closest playoff win was a 40-point blowout in the quarterfinals over Apple Valley, and then they beat Whitney 93-46 in the semifinals. Lynwood boasts the top scorer in the CIF-SS according to Maxpreps, and he’s just a freshman — Jason Crowe Jr. averages 36 points a game. Bosco Tech has played tough opponents, but it’s hard to imagine Lynwood slowing down.

The pick: Lynwood

DIVISION 5A

Blair (22-10) vs. Santa Paula (13-9) at Colony HS, 6 p.m.

Outlook: The Vikings have been on a mission to win the school’s first championship in their third try, having come up short in two previous final appearances in 1983 and 2017. Freshman Timmy Anderson is averaging a team-best 23 points a game, but there is also Shakour Sidney averaging 17 points and Nazsir Cammon who averages 14. Their point guard Keshrey Smith Jr. averages 11 points while leading the CIF-SS with 12 assists per game. The Vikings are the top seed and have won by double digits in every playoff round, routing Tarbut V’Torah 84-66 in the semifinals. While Santa Paula is unseeded, it has beat every opponent in the playoffs by double digits too, and also had an easy win in the semifinals, beating San Gorgonio 70-53. It should be the most competitive playoff game for both of them.

The pick: Blair

— Fred Robledo