Boys’ basketball: Maranatha vs. Campbell Hall features No. 1 vs. No. 2

Get ready for some excitement involving big-time players on Friday at 5 p.m. at Azusa Pacific when No. 1-seeded Maranatha faces No. 2-seeded Campbell Hall in the Southern Section 4A championship game.

This is the one division everyone knew who would be playing in the championship game from the beginning and now it’s happening.

Maranatha (19-8) is led by Oregon-bound Tyler Dorsey, who’s averaging 33.9 points and has 10 games of 40 or more points.

Campbell Hall (24-8) is led by UCLA-bound Aaron Holiday, who’s just as capable as Dorsey in producing points, assists and steals. He’s averaging 23.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists.

One reason Maranatha might have a slight edge is the availability of 6-foot-10 Trevor Stanback, who gained doctor’s clearance just as the playoffs began and has been trying to get into shape each week after being sidelined all season with a medical issue. Holiday likes to drive and having Stanback in the middle to be a defensive stopper will be key.

But Campbell Hall is battle tested having played in the tough Gold Coast League with the likes of Sierra Canyon, Windward, Viewpoint and Brentwood.

Maranatha Coach Tim Tucker knows the Holidays well. He’s been friends with Holiday’s father, Shawn.

“Aaron’s a great player and comes from a great basketball family,” he said. “All the Holidays play great basketball, from the mother to the father.”

Tucker intends to do something he rarely does _ wear a suit and tie. His grandbaby will be picking out his tie.

“I think it’s one of the best games in CIF,” he said.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer