3. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.)Head coach: Gary McKnight
2010-11 record: 32-3, California Division I state champion
Players to watch: Elijah Brown (6-3, 175, Jr., G),
Stanley Johnson (6-6, 210, So., G/F),
Xavier Johnson (6-6, 190, Sr., G/F, Colorado verbal commitment),
Katin Reinhardt (6-4, 200, Sr., G, UNLV),
Eli Stalzer (6-2, 190, Sr., G)
Monarchs scouting report: Somehow Mater Dei – a perennial national power – managed to sneak up on people last season. Unranked nationally and overshadowed locally by Long Beach Poly, the Monarchs used a young and guard-heavy lineup to capture another state title.
"The last five games (of last season) we were about as good as any team I've ever had," McKnight said. "We played every type of team possible and the kids played out of their heads."
There will be no element of surprise this season, however. The Monarchs will go at least nine deep led by Colorado commitment Xavier Johnson, Reinhardt, a future Runnin' Rebel, and unheralded Stalzer, whose talents on the piano are drawing as much interest from colleges as his savvy with the ball in his hands.
"This is a really good group with good depth," McKnight said. "What I like most is that when somebody isn't playing well I've got somebody to put in for them. There is nobody in the starting lineup that isn't replaceable."
Stanley Johnson played with USA Basketball's U16 developmental team over the summer and is emerging as one of the nation's top sophomores. Soto, another sophomore, will round out the starting lineup. A notable addition to the program is Brown, who moved to California from Ohio with his father Mike – the new head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Mater Dei seniors Katin Reinhardt (left) and Xavier Johnson strike a pose with state championship hardware.
Photo by David Steutel
