Boys’ basketball: So much for that battle of unbeatens
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The featured game of the Nike Extravaganza on Saturday may have just lost a little luster.
Newark (N.J.) St. Benedict’s Prep, which this week had moved into the No. 2 spot in the USA Today boys’ basketball rankings, was routed by Elizabeth (N.J.) St. Patrick, 88-62, on Wednesday for its first loss of the season.
That means top-ranked Mater Dei (23-0) will be the only unbeaten team to take the floor Saturday night when the Monarchs play host to St. Benedict’s Prep (19-1). Mater Dei remained undefeated Wednesday with a 73-46 victory over Santa Margarita.
St. Benedict’s Prep’s 26-point loss to St. Patrick would appear to bode well for the Monarchs. Mater Dei defeated St. Patrick, 52-45, on Dec. 23 in the City of Palms Tournament -- though that was before the Monarchs lost forward Andy Brown for the season with a knee injury.
The Mater Dei-St. Benedict’s Prep matchup, set for a 9 p.m. start, will be televised by ESPNU. The cable station is also televising the 7 p.m. game between No. 12 Compton Dominguez and No. 10 Concord De La Salle.
-- Ben Bolch