SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PREP BASKETBALL REGIONALS : DIVISION I BOYS : Mater Dei’s Defense Gets Best of Poly

IRVINE —  Mater Dei did not rest on its laurels.

The Monarchs were at it again, only days after administering the worst beating in Southern Section championship game history. This time it was Long Beach Poly that took the thrashing in a Southern Regional Division I first-round game.

The Monarchs’ 65-47 victory Tuesday at the Bren Center was a steppingstone, one that could lead them to The Pond of Anaheim for a third consecutive appearance in the regional final, possibly against Los Angeles Crenshaw. Crenshaw beat Mater Dei the last two years, winning State titles both seasons.

Mater Dei will play the Los Angeles Fairfax winner Thursday at the Pyramid at Long Beach State.

The Lions had better take note. The Monarchs (33-1) have allowed only 19 first-half points in their past two games combined. They led, 38-10, against La Puente Nogales on Saturday en route to a 83-33 victory in the Southern Section I-A title game.

Poly (21-11) was the next to feel that defensive sting. The Jackrabbits (21-11) trailed, 36-9, at halftime. They did not score for the first 5 minutes 16, with six turnovers and seven missed shots in their first 11 possessions.

By the time Mike McDonald’s rebound layup got Poly on the board, the game belonged to Mater Dei.

It was a defensive effort that involved the entire starting unit. The Monarchs simply would not allow Poly to do what it wanted.

“You have to be real happy holding teams to 10 and nine points in a half,” Coach Gary McKnight said. “We’ve had good defensive intensity.”

The offense was so bad, Mater Dei scored the first 14 points, with Schea Cotton scoring seven. Cotton finished with 18.

“I was happy to get out to a quick lead,” McKnight said. “(Poly) can be real methodical and slow things down. It can drive you crazy.”

Instead, it was the Monarchs’ offensive trifecta that drove the Jackrabbits nuts.

Cotton made five of seven shots in the first half, at one point scoring three consecutive baskets, two being baseline drives that ended in dunks.

Shaun Jackson scored 22 points and had seven rebounds. He made eight of 10 from the field and matched Cotton dunk for dunk.

Those two dominated the inside, while guard Clay McKnight kept the Jackrabbits from playing sag-and-pack defense. McKnight made his first two three-pointers and had 13 points.

The Jackrabbits, meanwhile, were forced outside. They made only four of 23 shots in the first half and made only one field goal in the second quarter. Poly shot 38% for the game.

Poly also turned over the ball 24 times, 14 in the first half.

Mater Dei did not maintain the effort. But by the time the Monarchs waned, they were a step closer to a State title.