Mater Dei, the nation’s top-ranked team by DigitalSports, can set its sights on Open Division final this Saturday. The Monarchs faced JW North in the semifinals on March 4, taking the game by 13 points in a 62-49 victory.
Coming off a 42-point performance in the quarterfinals, Arizona-commit Stanley Johnson struggled to find his rhythm with North’s defense paying extra attention to No. 41.
With Johnson locked-down, 6-foot-10 sophomore MJ Cage stepped up to the occasion. Charging the net all game, Cage led the Monarchs with 24 points and 14 rebounds. Despite having, by his standards, an “off-game,” Johnson still posted great number with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
After Mater Dei dominated first half, the Monarchs had a 27-16 lead by the half. JW North was not backing down. Following a 2-pointer by Mater Dei to open the third, the Huskies stormed right back with a 15-0 run, keeping the Monarchs from scoring for almost five minutes.
MJ Cage put Mater Dei back on the right track with three of his most important points of the game. The center was fouled on a scoring drive to the net and made the ensuing free throw putting giving his squad a 32-31 advantage, a lead that the Monarchs would never let go.
Early on the in the fourth quarter, Mater Dei went on a 10-0 run to take a 50-37 point lead with under five minutes remaining. JW North was unable to catch to Monarchs who never let off the gas.
Now Mater Dei prepares for the CIF Southern Section Open Division final this Saturday against Chino Hills, who rank 58th nationally. Tip-off is at 6:30p.
Key Players:
MJ Cage- 24 points, 14 rebounds
Stanley Johnson- 15 points, 11 rebounds
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