Watch highlights from the 2012 CIF State Basketball Playoffs. Mater Dei led over Bullard (Fresno) 42-34 at halftime. Xavier Johnson of Mater Dei dominated the inside during the first two quarters and helped his team maintain a the lead throughout the second half to give the Monarchs a birth in the CIF State Championship game at Arco Arena 3/24 vs. Sheldon (Sacramento).

Mater Dei countered with solid performances from senior big man Xavier Johnson, sophomore sensation Stanley Johnson and UNLV bound guard Katin Reinhardt. The terrific trio combined for 64 of the Monarchs 75 points.

After a see-saw first half with numerous lead changes, the Monarchs went to the half clinging to a 30-29 lead.

Xavier "X-Straordinaire" Johnson gave the 2012 CIF Southern Section Basketball Playoff crowd something to go nuts about. The best dunk of the CIF SS playoffs came after Stanley Johnson dropped a Magic Johnson-esque dime to Xavier, who finished with a beastly smash and 'Mosgov' dunked over 6'11" Loyola center Thomas Welsh (40).

The crowd at the Anaheim Convention Center was in a frenzy for most of the evening, as 4th seeded Loyola put up a valiant effort against Mater Dei. Jackson-Cartwright scored a team-high 17 points for Loyola, who fell 61-58 to the Monarchs at the CIF Southern Section Division 1AA Boys Basketball Semifinals.

Prior to Saturday night's Mater Dei vs. Long Beach Poly matchup, everyone was fully aware of what the Gary McKnight coached Monarchs squad had in its arsenal.