HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS : ROUNDUP

Mater Dei 79, Highland 50--As the No. 1-ranked team in the state, Mater Dei is expected to roll through playoffs.

However, the Monarchs had a sluggish start and showed the effects of playing only their second game in two weeks.

Highland was able to keep pace early but midway through the second quarter coach Gary McKnight called a timeout,

“We were giving up two or three shots every possession, so I told them to box them out and do some rebounding,” McKnight said.

McKnight’s instructions worked as Mater Dei closed the quarter with a 12-2 run.

Highland Coach Tim Knight only had praise for Mater Dei.

“This was a step in class for us,” Knight said. “When you’re going against (talented) kids, good things don’t happen,”.

Sophomore Schea Cotton scored 33 points, making 13 of 20 shots, and grabbed 14 rebounds for Mater Dei (30-1).

Highland (21-7) made 36% of its shots and a dismal 35% of its free throws.

Jamal Dedeaux had 13 points for Highland.

Mater Dei cruised in the second half, leading by at least 20 most of the way.