SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : DIVISION I-A : Monarchs’ Simon, Cotton Rule

Mater Dei’s basketball team went to its marquee names, stars present and future, Friday night. They shined in the spotlight at Pauley Pavilion.

Miles Simon and Schea Cotton, the Monarchs’ lightning and thunder, led top- seeded Mater Dei to a 78-60 victory over fourth-seeded Los Angeles Loyola in front of about 5,000.

The two made the second half their own highlight show, sending the Cubs (22-5) reeling and sending the Monarchs into the Southern Section I-A championship game--their 10th in 12 seasons--a week from today.

Mater Dei (30-0), ranked second in the nation by USA Today, will play Edison at Anaheim Arena. To get there, the Monarchs needed to outlast a stubborn Loyola team. And to do that, they needed Simon and Cotton.

Simon, a 6-foot-4 senior guard, scored 32 points and displayed the skills that earned him a scholarship to Arizona. He sank three-pointers and blew past defenders for layups. He scored the first six points of the fourth quarter, sparking a 9-0 run that game Mater Dei a 62-46 lead.

“The fourth quarter was all about heart,” Simon said. “We showed who had the heart.”

Early in the fourth quarter, Simon spun around UCLA-bound Toby Bailey for a scoop shot. A moment later he eased in on a breakaway layup, looking over his shoulder mockingly as he went. He was going to enjoy the moment.

It also brought Gary McKnight, the Monarchs’ robust coach, off his chair and into the air, pumping his fist.

Loyola never challenged again.

“Miles has been on the varsity three years,” McKnight said, “and this will be his third championship game. He’s very proud of that.”

This will be Cotton’s first, and the 6-5 freshman was determined to get there. Cotton scored 21 points, making nine of 12 shots--five of them dunks.

Cotton, who suffered a broken nose in the first quarter, also scored the Monarchs’ first 10 points of the third as they extended a 36-34 lead to 53-46 going into the final quarter.

“I want that ring,” Cotton said. “I wanted to be in that championship game.”

While the stars shined, the Monarchs’ supporting cast did its bit. The rough-and-tumble chorus line of Darren Hite, Josh Porter and Mike Karich hounded Bailey.

Bailey came into the game averaging more than 22 points. He scored 16 and made only seven of 16 shots. Eight of his points came in the final quarter, when the issue had been decided.

“Those guys put a saddle on Bailey and rode him around,” McKnight said.

Ryan Bailey, Toby’s younger brother, helped keep the Cubs close. He scored 18 points but couldn’t match the Monarchs’ duo.