Boys’ basketball: Mater Dei repeats as Open Division champion

Not only does Mater Dei have perhaps the best player in California, it also has the best team.

On Saturday night, the Monarchs proved that where it counts: on the court. Mater Dei won its 11th state title, its fourth in a row and its second straight in the Open Division with a 71-61 victory over Bishop O’Dowd, a team the Monarchs edged 63-59 at the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas in December.

Arizona-bound Stanley Johnson led the charge with 25 points, eight assists, three steals and two blocks and his spectacular two-handed dunk early in the second quarter ignited a 10-4 run that put Mater Dei in front.

“We played them already so we knew what they were going to do,” Johnson said. “I knew I was going to be doubled and we knew we had to contain Ivan [Rabb]. I don’t really think about dunking but if it’s there I’ll take it.”

M.J. Cage added 16 points and eight rebounds and Isaiah Juarez had 11 points as the Monarchs (35-0) completed an undefeated season. Paris Austin had 23 points and Rabb had 10 points and 16 rebounds for the Dragons (28-5).

Mater Dei’s victory capped a perfect day for Southern California schools, who went 6-0 Saturday and 8-4 overall in this year’s 12 state final games. Total attendance for the two-day event was 14,490.