Mater Dei goes for fifth straight California title as underdog

BERKELEY, Calif — When Stanley Johnson finally graduated from Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) last spring, Southern California basketball coaches certainly smiled.

When the Monarchs lost three games in a span of nine days in December, there was rejoicing.

And when Etiwanda handed Mater Dei a 52-49 defeat in the Southern Section Open Division semifinals March 3. … back flips.

But Mater Dei coach Gary McKnight, the winningest coach in state history (1,024-89 record) with the nation's best career winning percentage (.920), had a hunch the Monarchs might enjoy the last dance.

The four-time defending California large division champions won the loaded Southern California Open Division last week and now play Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland), the nation's No. 13 team, for a second straight year and the state's ultimate prize.

The teams tango 8 p.m. Saturday at Cal's Haas Pavilion.

"I thought all along we could be as good or better than last year," McKnight said. "Last year we had the best player. This, as a group, is a better team."

Johnson, a 6-foot-7 guard, was the most dominant player in McKnight's 33-year career. He started four seasons, won four state titles and was the MaxPreps National Player of the Year while averaging 25.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.

He's now leading Arizona toward a possible national championship and is projected to be a NBA lottery pick.

Johnson broke the backs and hearts of Mitty, with Aaron Gordon, and Bishop O'Dowd, with McDonald's All-American Ivan Rabb, the last two seasons.

Without Johnson around, many saw up to a half-dozen Southern California teams with a little more talent. When Mater Dei was seeded fourth out of eight in the Southern California bracket, McKnight bit his lip.

"I thought to myself, ‘you got to be kidding me?' " McKnight said. "Didn't we just win four straight state titles? We used it as incentive with our kids that perhaps people aren't respecting us."

But how could anyone not respect all the McKnight has built? He's won 32 league titles in 33 years, 22 section crowns and state-record 11 California titles.

Sure, he gets some of the best talent in Southern California annually. But the Monarchs haven't exactly had the cream of the region's rich crop.

They've 70 on thus far to Division I programs, a big number, but the names who have gone on to the NBA — LeRon Ellis, Jamal Sampson, DJ Strawberry and Reggie Geary — won't slip off the tongue of the common fan.

Not like some of the current Southern California lot, which include James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Kawhi Leonard, Klay Thompson, DeMar DeRozan, Jrue Holiday, Brandon Jennings, Trevor Ariza, Arron Afflalo, Tayshaun Prince, Tyson Chandler and Paul Pierce.

Those are the stallions Mater Dei have gone through to win championships.

"We've seen them all over 33 years, believe me," McKnight said.

So, how have they got it done?

McKnight points first to his assistants, including Jason Quinn, the team's defensive specialist since 1987. McKnight also hired Hall of Fame Southern California head coach Jerry DeBusk (642 wins, two state titles) and his son Clay McKnight, who coached at Syracuse, UCLA and USC.

"I've never been afraid to hire guys who know more than me," Gary McKnight said. "These guys have no egos. We're on the same page."

McKnight said his best trait is reading people, which allows people to get the most out of kids. "I know when they're having a bad day, family problems, got out of bed wrong." He reads the game well too, which is why he's in charge of all substitutions.

Gerry Freitas, a West Coast scout, said Mater Dei's success starts at the lower levels and "continues up through the ranks. They play year-round and put in the work it takes to be successful. There's high expectations from the day you walk in the door."

Mater Dei teams have always moved the ball, like to run and spread the wealth. The current team is a perfect example, led by 6-6 Notre Dame commit Rex Pflueger (17.0 ppg) followed by La'vette Parkerr (16.0) and 6-10 post  MJ Cage (13.7). KJ Smith (7.8), the son of former NBA guard Kenny Smith, has been coming on of late.

"Seems like someone different every night is leading us," McKnight said. "That's the way we like it."