SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS 5-A BASKETBALL : Mater Dei Continues Dominance, Beating Loyola, 83-57

The class of 1990 took its place among the standout basketball teams at Mater Dei High School Saturday night, sweeping past Loyola, 83-57, in the Southern Section’s 5-A Division championship game at the Sports Arena.

The memory of a disappointing loss to St. Monica in the quarterfinals last year was erased as Mater Dei won its sixth title in the past eight years under Coach Gary McKnight.

Mater Dei (30-1) made it look easy by containing one of the section’s highest-scoring teams with its height and depth. Loyola (23-4) had averaged 90 points in four previous playoff games.

Guard David Boyle scored a season-high 32 points for Mater Dei.

Ryan Jamison, Loyola’s 6-11 center who averaged 18.8 points and 10.6 rebounds a game, was never a factor after fighting flu all week. Jamison finished the game on the bench with six points and six rebounds.

Afterward, McKnight, who improved his eight-year career record to 223-19, reflected upon this team.

“I felt for them last year because I felt they deserved a place with the other great teams,” McKnight said. “I would have hated to see them go without a championship. We’re 30-1, and this team has a chance next week to become the winningest team our school has ever had.”

Mater Dei sliced through Loyola’s trapping defense for 25 first-quarter points. After that, it was obvious Loyola would have difficulty containing the Monarchs. And things only got worse.

“The way Loyola plays, I wasn’t sure if the early lead was going to hurt or help us,” McKnight said. “In the end, I thought we both looked like two fighters who had gone 15 rounds. I think our championship experience might have helped.”