SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFF PREVIEW : DIVISION I : Top Seed Mater Dei Can Call It a Wrap

The Mater Dei boys’ basketball team’s quest for an eighth Southern Section championship under Coach Gary McKnight began, innocently enough, with a video camera.

Assistant Craig Thornburgh started taping games of possible Division I-A playoff opponents about three weeks ago, sometimes filming four games a week. McKnight now has an impressive library of tapes.

“Unfortunately, most of our films are on teams in the lower bracket,” McKnight said.

But despite a lack of proper footage, most figure Mater Dei will be able to produce its own highlight film of the 1992 Southern Section playoffs. The Monarchs (26-1) are the top seed in the I-A division and have been ranked No. 1 in the state most of the season.

McKnight, when asked who he fears most in the division, sharply replied, “I don’t fear anybody, but I respect any opponent.”

Looking over the draw sheet, McKnight points to Dominguez and says, “They have a world of talent.” He points to Ocean View and says, “They gave us a hell of a game and should have won.” He points to West Covina and says, “They play that four-corner delay with an outstanding guard (Jameel Mahmed).”

Finally, he points to second-seeded J.W. North of Riverside and says, “They’re capable of matching us, athlete for athlete.”

Well, that’s debatable. Few can match Mater Dei’s depth. McKnight routinely uses nine players in the first half and then the Monarchs consistently overpower opponents in the third quarter.

“We’ve worn people down in the third quarter and have had some huge scoring bursts,” McKnight said.

So can anybody beat Mater Dei? It’s possible, but highly unlikely. Mater Dei has beaten the teams seeded No. 1 and No. 2 in Division I-AA, Lynwood and Capistrano Valley (twice), the City Section’s best team, Westchester, and the San Diego Section’s best team, Torrey Pines.

But again, McKnight is leery of any opponent. He points to Arroyo and says, “Last year, we went up there and they gave us a hell of a game. We were down for three quarters before barely winning, (67-53).”

It almost makes one wonder how McKnight ever compiled a 278-25 record over the past 11 years.

Division I-AA--A quick review of two overtime games that Capistrano Valley played in preseason tournaments could provide a clue to the outcome of the Division I-AA playoffs.

Capistrano Valley lost to top-seeded Lynwood, 57-52, in overtime in the semifinals of the Coca-Cola Classic at Trabuco Hills when the Cougars missed the front ends of nine one-and-one free throw opportunities.

Capistrano Valley beat Lakewood, 62-60, in double overtime at Ocean View’s Tournament of Champions when forward Steve Ransom made two free throws with 23 seconds remaining.

Lakewood, Long Beach Jordan and Lynwood are expected to provide Capistrano Valley with its strongest competition in the division. The games should be close and free throws could decide the outcome.

The improved play of center Jeremy Garrett, who scored 21 points in a South Coast League showdown with Irvine last week, should improve the Cougars’ chances of winning the title.

Division I-AA at a Glance

Defending champion: Long Beach Jordan.

Top team: Lynwood (21-6).

Dark horse: Lakewood. The Lancers tied Long Beach Wilson for second in the Moore League but lost a coin flip and must play in the qualifying round.

Top players: Tom Airey (Capistrano Valley), John Anthony (Peninsula), Ken Bush (Eisenhower), Brandon Dade (Nogales), Jeremy Garrett (Capistrano Valley), Matt Kordik (Esperanza), Jamal Lawrence (Lynwood), Rodney Malloy (Lynwood), Everett Ratleff (Long Beach Jordan), Ledel Smith (Redlands), Mike Wright (Glendale).

Best draw: Lynwood. Despite coming off a 30-point loss to South Lake Tahoe, Lynwood was seeded first and got a free ride to the finals. The only three teams capable of beating Lynwood--Capistrano Valley, Long Beach Jordan and Lakewood--are in the opposite bracket.

Worst draw: Long Beach Wilson. Wilson (19-7) drew Peninsula (22-6) in the first round and could be turning in uniforms early.

Notes: The pairings were scrambled when Lakewood (19-6) lost a coin flip to Wilson for the No. 2 draw from the Moore League, and Peninsula lost its Bay League finale to Santa Monica, drawing the league’s No. 3 spot. Both play qualifying games tonight. Top-seeded Lynwood has impressive victories over Capistrano Valley and Division I-A powers J.W. North and Edison. Glendale’s Wright is one of Southern California’s most talented athletes.

Division I-A at a Glance

Defending champion: Santa Barbara.

Top team: Mater Dei (26-1).

Dark horse: Diamond Bar. The Brahmas have one of the tallest front lines in the section but inconsistency at point guard has been a problem.

Top players: Shaun Battle (Cajon), Quincy Brewer (J.W. North), Jason Cunningham (Los Alamitos), Mike Fadipe (San Bernardino), Donald Gayton (Pasadena), Reggie Geary (Mater Dei), Brandon Jessie (Edison), Jameel Mahmed (West Covina), Ali Peek (Hart), Darius Rutledge (Downey), Keith Van Horn (Diamond Bar), John Williams (Moreno Valley), Marmet Williams (Mater Dei).

Best draw: Marina. The Vikings have a home game against the winner of Don Lugo-Valley View and then will likely meet Buena with the site determined by a coin flip.

Worst draw: Irvine or Edison. The teams, ranked among the top 10 in the county most of the season, will likely meet in the first round Friday at Irvine.

Notes: Mater Dei fans can start making plans for the championship game March 7 at the Sports Arena. Second-seeded J.W. North appears to be the only threat to the Monarchs. North has won 18 consecutive games with its only losses coming against Division I-AA powers Lynwood and Capistrano Valley. Moreno Valley’s Williams is the leading scorer in the section, averaging almost 30 points.