STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT : Mater Dei to Meet Familiar, Shorter Opponent Tonight

Mater Dei High School will have a distinct height advantage when it plays host to Edison High of Fresno tonight at 7:30 in the second round of the Southern California Division I boys’ basketball regionals in Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Gym.

The Monarchs (28-1) beat Edison, 81-74, in the second round of the regionals last year in the same gymnasium. Edison (26-2) is coming off a 73-72 victory over Granada Hills in the opening round of the single-elimination tournament Monday.

“They play exactly the same style of basketball as last year’s team,” said Gary McKnight, Monarch coach. “They run and gun, press and are basically a perimeter-shooting team.”

McKnight said Edison is similar in player personnel and style to St. Anthony, a team the Monarchs defeated, 68-57, in the quarterfinals of the Southern Section 5-A playoffs.

Returning starters Charlie Ross and Andre Sims are the Tigers’ top players. Ross averages 19.3 points and has totaled 104 points in his last four games. Sims averages 11.2 points.

Edison’s tallest starter is Tyrone Smith, a 6-foot 5-inch junior. Smith could have problems defending LeRon Ellis, the Monarchs’ 6-11 All-American center. Ellis averages 23.6 points and 8 rebounds.

“I kind of like our chances,” Edison Coach Bill Engel said. “We’re going to go to the game to win the game, and I hope we come out on top.”

Mater Dei’s defense has been impressive in the playoffs, allowing four opponents an average of 49.5 points.

“I’ve been very pleased with this team,” McKnight said. “With the exception of LeRon, I don’t feel we have that much more talent than other teams.

“We’ve been successful because everyone plays their roles well, and everyone has improved through the course of the season.”

Contrasting tempos also will be evident. Mater Dei operates a patient offense, looking for high-percentage shots. The Monarchs enjoy physically wearing down smaller opponents.

In its game against Granada Hills, Edison used its press and quickness to open a 20-7 lead in the first quarter, fast-breaking at every opportunity for easy shots.

“We don’t want to get into a running game with them,” said McKnight, under whom the Monarchs are 144-7 in six seasons.

McKnight was hoping to have guard Mike Hopkins healthy and back in the lineup this week, but the junior will be out the remainder of the season. Hopkins suffered a stress fracture of his right ankle four weeks ago.