Cate rode a 20-8 second-quarter burst to a 35-17 halftime lead over Carpinteria on Friday and went on to beat the Warriors 58-44 and advance to the championship game of the Fillmore Boys Basketball Tournament.
The Rams (6-2) will take on Trinity Classical on Saturday at 6 p.m.
Nkemka Chukwumerije scored all 10 of his points in the first half for Cate. Ethan Ng also had 10 points.
Carpinteria’s Mateo Handall led all scorers with 17.
“We got off to a slow start and after the adrenaline and nerves wore off, we were able to execute well and get consecutive stops to hold Carp to only eight in the second quarter,” said Cate coach Andy Gil. “I like the way we are coming along defensively. We have a lot of offensive talent but I keep telling our guys, defense will take us far.”