Basketball is the Big Topic Tonight

It's not biology or books they're talking about at two high school campuses in southern Alameda County today.

It's basketball.

A big playoff match-up is slated for this evening when , the top ranked Division I school in the East Bay, takes on , last year's Northern California boys' basketball champions.

The NCS semi-final contest begins at 7 p.m. at Washington High in Fremont. The game is there because the gymnasium at Castro Valley High isn't big enough to accommodate the anticipated large crowd.

Castro Valley advanced to this round last by thumping number eight seed Antioch, 77 to 53. The Trojans, 26-1, are a highly touted, talented group led by seniors Roderick Bobbitt, Chris Read and Juan Anderson, who is headed to Marquette in the fall.

"We're really excited to play," said Castro Valley Coach Nick Jones. "These kids relish big games."

The Trojans are ranked number seven in the state and have already defeated powerhouse Bishop O'Dowd from Oakland twice this season.

Jones said his team will focus on rebounding, playing solid defense and not turning the ball over.

Newark Memorial reached this round by edging Berkeley High last , 65-62.

Newark is the fourth seed in the tournament, but Coach Craig Ashmore said his team is quietly confident.

"Castro Valley is a great team and we're happy to be in there competing against them," said Ashmore. "There's really no apprehension."

The Cougars are led by Kendall Andrews, the senior power forward.

Newark has been in the NCS finals a number of times in recent years, including last season. That squad went to the state championship game before losing.

Ashmore said they hope to play good team defense and keep the game close in the early stages. He said sometimes when a contest is tight, a favored team can feel the pressure.

The atmosphere on both campuses is one of anticipation and excitement.

Mary Ann Valles, Castro Valley High principal, said there was "great energy" on campus today. Athletes wore their uniform tops and cheerleaders had on their outfits.

"These games give students something to rally around," she said.

Newark Memorial students are also eagerly awaiting the contest.

"The games bring out a lot of school pride," said Newark Principal Ed Marquez.

Rich Swift, the school's athletic director, added he expect to see a lot of students, parents and alumni at the game tonight.

He said Newark's new gymnasium has created community-based support for the sports teams there.

Coach Ashmore said these games are experiences that build self-esteem in young athletes.

"This is what sports is all about," he said.