ANGELUS LEAGUE : Mater Dei Tops Amat, Clinches a Tie for Title

Mater Dei High School Coach Gary McKnight has mastered the art of the poker face.

Before the season, McKnight said he was pessimistic about his team’s chances--especially with a crew of mostly underclassmen.

Wednesday night, McKnight was at it again, even after Mater Dei’s 63-42, cruise-control victory in an Angelus League game at Bishop Amat.

It was the eighth victory in a row for the Monarchs, who improved to 21-4 and 8-1 in league, clinching a tie for their eighth league title in nine seasons.

But McKnight learned earlier in the week that Mater Dei--ranked second in the Southern Section Division I--would have to play the rest of the season without Ray Jackson, a 6-foot-3 swingman, who broke his hand in practice.

“I told everyone we were going to struggle at the start of the season, and we did,” McKnight said. “We might still struggle now.”

McKnight said he was pleased with the play of sophomore guard Kamran Sufi, who started at the point Wednesday, with guard Reggie Geary shifting to Jackson’s forward spot.

Sufi, who had six assists, spurred a 22-point Mater Dei run in the second quarter with all seven of his points, and the Monarchs pulled away to a 37-18 halftime lead.

Sufi also did a fine defensive job on Bishop Amat point guard Jelani Gardner, who led all scorers with 19 points--one more than his season average.

Forward Jason Janeski led Mater Dei with 18 points, Geary added 12 and guard J.J. Ballesteros had 11.

Mater Dei shot 45% (25 for 56) from the field, but held cold-shooting Bishop Amat to 27% (14 for 52 from the field).

Bishop Amat dropped to 13-10, 4-5 in league.