GSF Exclusive: Arizona bound senior Stanley Johnson’s last high school interview after winning Mater Dei’s fourth consecutive state title
GetSportsFocus.com – GSF’s Justin Lum interviewed Stanley Johnson moments after leading the undefeated Mater Dei Monarchs (35-0) to a fourth-straight state title, defeating Bishop O’Dowd 71-61.
Stanley Johnson wore red and white for the Mater Dei Monarchs one last time in a basketball environment he is very much used to. Thousands of fans from Northern and Southern California witnessed Johnson put on a show inside the Sleep Train Arena, finishing with a game-high 25 points and 8 assists in a 71-61 win over Bishop O’Dowd (28-5). The fans also witnessed Johnson become the first player in California history to win four upper-division state championships.
The CIF Open Division Final started out close with the Dragons up 13-10 at the end of the first quarter. Junior guard Paris Austin contributed 10 points in the first half and finished with a team-high 23 points. Even with Ivan Rabb scoring just two points in the first two quarters, BOD went into halftime down 28-21. Despite out-rebounding Mater Dei 52-26, the Dragons turned the ball over 20 times and could not contain Stanley Johnson.
Sophomore center M.J. Cage made an impact with 16 points and eight rebounds, connecting on four dunks in the last quarter to seal the victory. The Monarchs’ zone defense held Ivan Rabb to 10 points all game, a factor in helping head coach Gary McKnight notch his 995th career win.
Stanley Johnson is headed for the University of Arizona next year where former Archbishop Mitty star Aaron Gordon just finished his freshman season. Johnson’s 2013 Monarchs defeated Gordon’s team in the Open Division title game last year.
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