After losing three PAC-10 signees from a year ago, Gary Franklin (Cal, but has since transferred to Baylor), Keala King (ASU), and Tyler Lamb (UCLA), this season was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Mater Dei, if there's such a thing.
"I don't think Mater Dei worries about rebuilding," says Corona Centennial head coach Jason Giles, whose Huskies (26-3) will face Mater Dei (27-2) Tuesday in the CIF Division 1-AA Semifinals live on FOX Sports West at 6:30 p.m.
Much like King a season ago, Xavier Johnson entered the Santa Ana campus as a transfer. He spent his first two years at Chaparral.
Johnson, a 6'7" junior wing, has teamed up with fellow junior Katin Reinhardt, a USC commit, to form quite a tandem for the young Monarchs.
The Monarchs are looking to advance to the sectional finals for the 25th time in 29 seasons under head coach Gary McKnight, who won his 20th CIF Sectional title with the Monarchs last year.
The Huskies, meanwhile, returned three of their top four scorers from last season in Long Beach State-bound point guard Michael Caffey, New Mexico-bound guard Dominique Dunning, Weber State-bound guard Gelaun Wheelwright, and entered the season as a major contender.
"We've done better than expected," says Giles who attributes his team's maturity to its success this season.
"They realize that there's more important things ahead. Little things like arguing over shots or arguing over who gets the ball or who the play is being called for, we haven't had any of that."
The Huskies have been paced all season long by the balanced scoring of Caffey (17.5 ppg), Wheelwright (17.8 ppg) and Dunning (20.3 ppg)
Of the trio, Giles says Caffey is the one who can least afford to have a bad game Tuesday night against Mater Dei. Caffey, one of the top point guards in the state, is averaging a team-high six assists per game, and is counted on to dictate the tempo.
That, for the Huskies is fast.
Centennial, like most other Mater Dei opponents, largest concern is the Monarchs size. The Huskies will try to use their speed to their advantage.
"We don't want to be in a half court, drag out game with these guys. We want them to play at our speed," Giles said.
