TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS : Jackson Close to Action in Mater Dei Victory

HUNTINGTON BEACH — Shaun Jackson has seen a lot of Mater Dei basketball over the years. From the stands, from the bench and from afar.

The junior center got much closer Friday night.

Jackson, a 6-foot-7 junior, filled a void for the Monarchs. He stepped up and helped lead them to a 76-65 victory over Los Angeles Westchester in the semifinals of the Tournament of Champions at Ocean View High School.

Mater Dei plays Long Beach Poly in the title game tonight at 7:30.

“Shaun played all summer for me and I still wasn’t sure he was going to perform like this,” Coach Gary McKnight said.

Jackson put those fears to rest Friday. He scored 22 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked four shots.

His play offset that of Miles Simon, the Monarchs’ leading scorer who was held without a field goal after the first quarter.

“I’ve worked hard for this,” Jackson said. “This year was my turn.”

Jackson has been around Mater Dei basketball since he was in the seventh grade. His brothers, Ray and Chris, played for the Monarchs.

Shaun Jackson was on the varsity last season, but did little but watch.

“My attitude was down last season,” Jackson said. “The coaches said that I wasn’t very emotional. I needed to change.”

Jackson showed plenty of emotion Friday, including a primal scream after one block.

He scored the Monarchs’ first eight points. He also had a layup that gave them a 63-57 lead with three minutes left. Westchester (5-2) never got close again.

Jackson got plenty of help.

Darren Hite scored 15 points, eight in the second quarter to keep the Monarchs (8-0) close. They trailed, 33-32, at halftime.

Mater Dei (8-0) hit 11 consecutive shots at one point during the first half and held an 8-6 rebound advantage. But the Monarchs turned the ball over 12 times, giving the Comets plenty of opportunities.

Freshman guard Kevin Augustine calmed them down. He started the second half and Mater Dei made only two turnovers.

Augustine also shored up the Monarch defense by containing guard Danny Walker, who had scored 17 points through three quarters. Walker was one of seven in the fourth quarter.

As a result, the Comets’ offense folded. They led, 57-54, when Walker sank a three-pointer. They then went five minutes without a point.

Mater Dei went on a 16-0 run, including a pair of three-pointers by Clay McKnight (15 points), to take the lead and pull away.

In the other semifinal:

Long Beach Poly 80, Los Alamitos 61--Long Beach Poly raced out to a 22-8 lead in the first quarter to advance to the title game.

Brady Doyle had 21 points and Tim Lin 10 for Los Alamitos. James Brown had 20 points for Long Beach Poly.