Mater Dei Has Plans to Finish Stated Mission

Santa Ana Mater Dei won the Southern Section Division I-A boys’ basketball title and advanced to the Division I state championship game last season before losing to Oakland Fremont.

The Monarchs are expected to complete the job this season.

Mater Dei and defending state Division II champion Compton Dominguez are again the teams to beat in the Southland as the boys’ basketball season gets underway.

The realignment of the City Section moves Crenshaw into the Coliseum League with Manual Arts and Fremont. The Western League features Fairfax and Westchester.

Many of the top Southern and City section teams will meet in tournaments this month.

Here are 10 teams to watch:

1. SANTA ANA MATER DEI

Most of the key players are back from last year’s state Division I runner-up, including junior guard Cedric Bozeman, who missed most of the playoffs because of injury.

Senior guard Steve Scoggin is a three-point threat, 6-foot-10 junior Jamal Sampson is an intimidating presence inside and sophomore forward Mike Strawberry is a force inside and from the perimeter.

2. COMPTON DOMINGUEZ

Ten players, including three starters, are back from a team that won the Division II state championship last season.

Seven-foot junior center Tyson Chandler has been outstanding his first two seasons and is due for a monster year. Senior power forward Keith Brooks, senior swing player Larry Johnson and senior guard Steve Moore are among the most talented players on a roster that is very deep.

3. LAKEWOOD ARTESIA

The Pioneers won the Southern Section Division I-AA championship last season but lost to Mater Dei in overtime in the state regional final.

Jason Kapono is now at UCLA, but Artesia still has plenty of talent, including 6-8 juniors Amaury Fernandez and Jack Martinez and 6-5 sophomore Jon Steffanson.

4. LONG BEACH POLY

Wesley Stokes, who recently signed to play at Missouri, is regarded as one of the best guards in the nation.

Power forward Joe Travis is a force inside. The Jackrabbits might take a while to come together as they await the arrival of several Poly football players, including forward Lionel Penman.

5. FAIRFAX

Joe Shipp moved on to Cal, but the Lions probably will return to the City Section championship game to capture the title that eluded them last season.

Senior forward Jason Morrisette is the top player for the Lions, who figure to be challenged by Crenshaw, Westchester, Manual Arts, Fremont and possibly Palisades for the City title.

6. LONG BEACH JORDAN

Any team with Travon Bryant on the roster is a threat to win any game. Bryant is one of the nation’s few high-profile seniors who has yet to sign a college letter of intent.

7. CRENSHAW

The Cougars, who lost to eventual champion Manual Arts in the City Section semifinals last season, feature two of the most talented players in the City in guards Tommie Johnson and E.J. Harris.

8. REDONDO UNION

The Sea Hawks would have been formidable with senior center Andrew Zahn and senior forward Walter White.

They got stronger when Ryan Mollins transferred from Loyola.

9. LAKEWOOD MAYFAIR

Josh Childress led the Monsoons to their first Southern Section Division II-A championship last season and the 6-5 swingman is regarded as one of the top juniors in the nation.

10. CHINO HILLS AYALA

The Bulldogs’ talent and disciplined style could result in a breakthrough year.

Seniors Marcel Burke and Chris Pacana lead a team that advanced to the Southern Section Division I-AA quarterfinals last season.

Others: Westchester, Upland, Fontana, Compton Centennial, Torrance Bishop Montgomery.