Mater Dei goes after its fourth straight state crown with the state's best player and top coach.
Mater Dei, led by Stanley Johnson (41), look for its fourth straight victory celebration in California's highest division.
File photo from Todd Shurtleff
Click here to see the boys basketball preseason Fab 5 from every state
1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana)2012-13 record: 34-2, CIF Open Division title
Head coach: Gary McKnight
It
always starts with McKnight, the state's winningest coach with 968
victories, 10 state crowns and 30 league titles. If Mater Dei wins 32
games, which it should, he'd become the 11th coach ever in the country
to hit 1,000 wins. With the nation's No. 2 recruit from the Class of
2014, 6-foot-7 shooting guard
Stanley Johnson, the Monarchs don't need a ton more. He can do everything. He has plenty around him including 6-9 sophomore
M.J. Cage son of former NBA standout Michael Cage, 6-5
Rex Pflueger, a talented transfer from J. Serra, and highly-touted 6-1 sophomore guard
Bailey Stout. Seven-foot sophomore
Jayce Johnson
transferred to J. Serra, but it shouldn't slow down the Monarchs, who
are after their fourth straight state crown and sixth in eight years.
2. St. John Bosco (Bellflower)2012-13 record: 24-7, Southern Section 3A title
Head coach: Derrick Taylor
The Braves return two of the top players in the country in 6-8 shooting guard
Daniel Hamilton, who has committed to Connecticut, and 6-4 junior point guard
Tyler Dorsey, the nation's No. 4 recruit for his class. Add three talented 6-7 forwards, sophomores
Vance Jackson and
Bennie Boatwright and freshman
Billy Preston, and Bosco might give Mater Dei a run in the Southern California's Open Division.
3. Loyola (Los Angeles) 2012-13 record: 25-8, Southern California D1 finalist
Head coach: Jamal Adams
The Cubs might be Southern California's best balanced team as they feature 7-foot post
Thomas Welsh with 5-10 point guard
Parker Jackson-Cartwright (Arizona commit) and superb 3-point shooters, led by 6-2 guard
Thomas Lapham.
Max Hazzard, a 6-foot junior point guard, is the grandson of former UCLA great Walt Hazzard. The addition of Michigan pledge
Austin Hatch should also be a huge plus for the Cubs.
4. Etiwanda2012-13 record: 28-3, Southern Section 1AA champion
Head coach: Dave Kleckner
The Eagles lost seven seniors off last year's squad, but return their two leading scorers in 6-foot point guard
Jordan McLaughlin (15.6 points per game) and 6-4
Kenny Barnes (12.0). A team that relies on speed and quickness adds 7-foot sophomore
Roman Silva, 6-9 junior
Jordan Naughton and 6-7 junior
Amore Smith 5. Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland)2012-13 record: 26-4, NCS D3 title
Head coach: Lou Richie
Buoyed by one of the top juniors in the country, 6-10 post
Ivan Rabb,
the Dragons are the class of Northern California. Ten of the 13 players
off last year's team return, including vastly improved point guard
Paris Austin. Rabb could use some rebound help.
