Watch Mater Dei star junior forward Stanley Johnson (2014) go off for 25 points to lead the Monarchs back to the CIF State Championship game for the third straight season.
"It was fun. Every year's a new challenge," Stanley Johnson told CLA Sports yesterday.
Winning state championships should be fun and the Mater Dei Monarchs are beginning to build a monopoly on post-season celebrations in Sacramento. Stanley Johnson led the Monarchs to their 10th CIF State Championship under Head Coach Gary McKnight last week.
Believe it or not, Mater Dei wasn't projected to be a championship-caliber team this season.
Watch Mater Dei star junior forward Stanley Johnson (2014) go off for 25 points to lead the Monarchs back to the CIF State Championship game for the third straight season.
The Etiwanda Eagles staved off a furious rally from the Mater Dei Monarchs to capture the CIFSS 1AA Championship in a thrilling 54-51 classic.
Etiwanda jumped out to an early lead with lights out shooting from behind the arc. Standout junior Jordan McLaughlin, senior Darryl Adigwu and sophomore Delewis Johnson knocked down two three-pointers apiece.
The long range barrage helped the Eagles build a 29-13 advantage late in the second quarter.
Four teams have survived the madness and booked a trip to New Orleans for the 2012 NCAA Final Four. The first national semifinal will feature an in-state clash between bitter rivals Kentucky and Louisville. The nightcap will feature the Ohio State Buckeyes against the Kansas Jayhawks.
Friday’s tournament action was highlighted by the shocking upsets of number two seeds Duke and Missouri at the hands of Lehigh and Norfolk State respectively. The last 15 seed to earn a victory was Hampton over Iowa State in 2001.
With brackets locked and ready to bust, the 2012 NCAA men’s basketball tournament kicked off its first full day of action with 16 games on four networks. 64 teams entered Thursday with a shot at the ultimate prize.
Anthony January was in full beast mode Wednesday night, leading the Toreadors with 17 points in a 84-54 thumping. CLA caught up with Anthony after the game to get his thoughts on the lopsided victory.
“It’s always like that. Most of the teams in high school basketball aren’t that big. So Coach always tells us to take advantage of that.”
