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Orange County might feel a bit like the epicenter of the California high school girls basketball universe on Friday and Saturday.
Mater Dei is hosting the Kay Yow Showcase on Friday and Saturday with several of the Golden State’s best players and teams hitting the floor at Mater Dei and Rosary.
And if that’s not enough action, there’s the Matson Classic at Orange Lutheran on Saturday.
Mater Dei’s second Kay Yow Showcase highlights the weekend with 12 girls games, including a clash Saturday between national powers Ontario Christian (18-0) and Archbishop Mitty of San Jose (11-1).
Ontario Christian, featuring junior Kaleena Smith and sophomore Tatianna Griffin, takes on Archbishop Mitty and senior McKenna Woliczko on Saturday at Mater Dei at noon.
Ontario Christian is ranked No. 1 in the state by CalHiSports and Archbishop Mitty is second.
The 5-foot-6 Smith is ranked by ESPN as the No. 1 junior recruit in the nation while the 6-foot Griffin is the top-rated sophomore.
Woliczko, a 6-foot-2 forward, signed with Iowa in November.
Saturday’s lineup of eight games at Mater Dei begins at 9 a.m. with San Clemente vs. Lynwood. Rosary vs. Beckman follows at 10:30 a.m.
Sierra Canyon, led by South Carolina-committed guard Jerzy Robinson, plays Mission Hills at 4:30 p.m. The Trailblazers are third in the state by CalHiSports.
Robinson is ESPN’s No. 1-rated senior recruit in California, just ahead of Woliczko.
Mater Dei, ranked third in Orange County, plays Francis Parker, the top-ranked team in San Diego, at 6 p.m.
The showcase begins Friday with five games at Rosary.
Fairmont Prep, ranked second in Orange County, continues one of the most difficult schedules in the nation by playing Archbishop Mitty at 5:30 p.m.
Mater Dei follows by playing Caruthers of Fresno County at 7 p.m.
Villa Park, ranked sixth in Orange County, closes the schedule of Friday at Rosary by playing three-time defending state Open Division champion Etiwanda at 8:30 p.m.
Second-year Mater Dei coach Jody Wynn started the Kay Yow event at Mater Dei last season.
A portion of the proceeds benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, which grew from the legacy of former North Carolina State women’s basketball coach Kay Yow. The Hall of Fame coach died from breast cancer in 2009.
“Check out some of best teams in California while supporting a great cause,” Wynn said of showcase. “Statistics now show one in every three women will get cancer, so let’s raise some money, bring awareness for early detection and support these young ladies as they compete for a cause.”
General admission is $15. Tickets for children ages 8-12, seniors and military are $10.
Also on Saturday, Orange Lutheran plays host to the 16th Matson Classic.
The seven-game lineup is highlighted by Troy vs. Esperanza, ranked No. 7 and No. 10 in Orange County, respectively, colliding at 1 p.m. The game pits Orange County coaching heavyweights Kevin Kiernan and Jimmy Valverde.
Tickets are available at gofan.co.