Notre Dame commitment Rex Pflueger is one of several Mater Dei players that will be expected to step up in the absence of 2013-14 MaxPreps National Player of the Year Stanley Johnson.
Photo by Ralph Thompson
Gary McKnight (995-85, 33rd year)
2013-14 record: 35-0, MaxPreps national champions, CIF Open Division state champions
KEY RETURNERSM.J. Cage (6-10, Jr., C)
La'vette Parker (6-2, Sr., G)
Rex Pflueger (6-5, Sr., G) – Notre Dame verbal commitment
Bailey Stout (6-1, Jr., G)
Matthew Weyand (6-5, So., F)
IMPACT NEWCOMERSMiles Brookins (6-6, So., C)
Harrison Butler (6-4, Fr., G)
K.J. Smith (6-1, Sr., G)
Reagan Lundeen (6-5, Fr., F)
Michael Wang (6-7, Fr., F)
MONARCH STORYLINES* Mater Dei is moving on without the most accomplished player in program history in Stanley Johnson, who was the MaxPreps National Player of the Year in 2013-14 and is now a freshman at Arizona. But the Monarchs still have plenty of star power on the roster. In addition to Notre Dame pledge Pflueger, McKnight is high on junior big man M.J. Cage. "He's an unbelievable talent," McKnight said. "He will be as highly recruited as anyone else we have had here." Cage averaged 14.9 points and 10.6 rebounds per game as a sophomore.
* Though the Monarchs have a couple of highly touted freshmen expected to contribute, the most notable newcomer is Smith – son of NBA champ and current TNT analyst Kenny "The Jet" Smith. K.J. was a double-figure scorer a year ago at Oaks Christian (Westlake Village, Calif.).
* McKnight is just five wins shy of 1,000 for his career. "I hope it gets to 1,300 or 1,400," he said. "I have no intention of retiring. I really enjoy what I'm doing and I'm fortunate to be at a school that has great kids and great athletes." McKnight has led Mater Dei to 11 state titles and at least 30 wins each of the last 10 seasons.
KEY DATESDec. 18-23 – City of Palms Classic
Dec. 26-30 – MaxPreps Holiday Classic
Feb. 7 – vs.
Fairfax (Los Angeles) at Nike Extravaganza
