When the Tarbabes take to the freeway tonight, they’ll do so as definitive underdogs, a role they’re used to and relish.  They’ll be facing a formidable opponent in Eisenhower, the top-seed in the Division 2 bracket, and a team that’s played as many quality Division 1 opponents as Compton has (they beat CIF Division 1 finalist Etiwanda early in the year).  The Eagles already have a win over Compton from December, a 69-48 slapdown that left a bad taste in the Tarbabes’ mouth.

More importantly, the Eagles aren’t going to be overwhelmed by Compton’s athleticism—if the Tarbabes want to win they’re going to have to play sound defense, get a great game from Cliff Sims, Anthony January and Allan Guei, and try to contain Alex Varner, the Eagles’ versatile leading scorer.  But Eisenhower has 8 players who’ve scored in double digits this year, and it will take a total team effort from Compton to get by them; if they do, they’ll face the winner of Pasadena Lincoln in the SoCal finals.

It’s a bit of a hike, but here are directions from Compton to Eisenhower for anyone interested: