There's a light at the end of the tunnel for Corona del Sol. Not that it's been a dark trip throught the regular season and to the quarterfinals as the Aztecs seek a fourth consecutive Division I boys basketball crown.

As coach Sammy Duane Jr. has been wont to say throughout the year, Corona manages to get most opponents best shot each time they suit up. The January and early February schedule afforded little time off for any team. Games came in bunches and often back-to-back. Now that state play has arrived each game offers a chance to catch a breath. For a team like Corona, that's bad news for the opposition  -- if Corona's talent wasn't enough to mesmerize foes.

Corona got a week off between its supersectional final and its first playoff game -- a second-round game with Desert Ridge. An 81-46 lambasting ensued for young Desert Ridge. With three full days off, Corona has a rematch with Central in the quarters. They'll be no suprisiing the Aztecs here. They'll know what to expect and the outcome will come down to execution. When the semis come around Saturday, another two days of rest (no games). Time to recharge and focus. It's likely Corona wil be at its best each round with time to recharge and prep. Its opponents the final three games simply must outplay Corona - no ambushes available.

#8 Central (25-5) vs. #1 Corona del Sol (29-1): Central gained confidence from the scare it gave Corona on Feb. 13. The Bobcats also took down Cesar Chavez in the second round to avenge two prior losses to the Champions. Central's record vs. the other teams in the quarters is 2-2 wins over Desert Vista and St. Mary's and losses to Corona and Gilbert. Corona is seeking its 67th win in a row over the past two years vs. Arizona opponents. The Aztecs are 5-0 vs. quarterfinal teams. Corona's Duane Jr. can become the first big-school coach in state history to win four successive titles. Phoenix Union won four straight titles in the late 1950s and early 1960s with two coaches. Also senior Cassius Peat can add a fourth hoops title in as many tries to his resume he takes to Michigan State to play football.

#5 Chaparral (25-5) vs. #4 St. Mary's: (17-12): Chaparral didn't lose a regular-season, power-ranking game (18-0), the only team other than Corona to do so. The Firebirds are 3-2 vs. the remaining quarterfinalists. Chaparral had to dig hard late to rally past pesky Westview in the second round, finally pulling out a 66-64 win. An efficient, 22-point game from guard Brandon Hoffer helped bail out the Firebirds. St. Mary's had its hands full with Red Mountain, scoring the winning bucket in the final seconds to avoid an upset by the No. 13 seed. St. Mary's posted a 1-4 mark (win over Gilbert, losses to CDS-2, Central and Mtn. View) vs. other quarterfinalists.

#6 Gilbert (21-7) vs. #3 Mesa Mountain View (23-7): This is a rematch and has the makings of a barn-burner if the first is an indication. Mountain View snuffed out a 68-67 win on buzzer-beater in overtime by Tommy Kuhse.  Both team put four players in double figures back in late December at the VisitMesa.com Invite.The game was close throughout -- 8 ties and 13 lead changes. Mountain View is 3-3 vs. the tournament field; Gilbert is 3-4 and has played every team in the quarters. The Tigers lost to Corona, Chaparral, Mtn. View and St. Mary's and defeated Mesa, Desert Vista and Central.

#7 Desert Vista (24-4) vs. #2 Mesa High (26-4): Desert Vista engaged in a slugfest with Perry in the second round, outlasting the Pumas and Markus Howard, 73-66. The Thunder have plenty of weapons, perhaps more than Mesa can handle. Desert Vista is 1-3 against quarterfinal teams, beating Chaparral and falling to Corona, Central and Gilbert. Mesa has won its last nine games in a ow, and is 4-0 in postseason with three supersectional victories and a second-round triumph over Boulder Creek. It's record vs. the quarterfinal field is 2-2. Both wins are over Mountain View; the losses to Gilbert and Chaparral.

Predictions to the finish: Semifinals -- Corona del Sol vs. Chaparral and Gilbert vs. Desert Vista. Championship -- Corona del Sol over Gilbert.