St. Mary's-Palma hoops

 It's intriguing that these two teams choose to play a non-league matinee today at 2 p.m. in the heart of their league seasons.
 SAC Joaquin Section runner-ups last year, St. Mary's, which is based in Stockton, won 23 games last  season in reaching the State Northern California DIV quarterfinals.
 One of those 23 wins was a 52-45 win over Palma. In fact, the Rams have beaten Palma in each of the last two years.
 Since opening the season with a loss, the Chieftains are 11-1, avenging that one loss to Half Moon Bay a week later in the finals of the Santa Cruz Warriors Classic.
 Reigning Gabilan Division MVP Wyatt Maker and Jamaree Bouyea have carried the offense for the Chieftains while Liam McMillin has become a third option.
 Palma, who has won 19 straight Gabilan Division games, has clamped down on teams defensively, holding seven teams under 50 points this year.