Boys' basketball: Mater Dei is No. 1 (duh)
Not that this should surprise anyone, but Mater Dei's boys' basketball team will open its season in the Loara tournament on Dec. 1 ranked No. 1 in the country by USA Today.
The Monarchs have five starters who have committed to major college programs. Twins Travis and David Wear have signed with North Carolina, guard Gary Franklin Jr. has committed to USC, guard Tyler Lamb has committed to UCLA and swingman Andy Brown has committed to Stanford.
Mater Dei plays a schedule to match its talent, with games against Newark (N.J.) St. Benedict's Prep (ranked No. 6 by USA Today) and No. 17 Chicago Young, which features Michael Jordan's son. The Monarchs could also play more ranked teams in the City of Palms Tournament on Dec. 19-23 in Fort Myers, Fla.
For those interested in getting an early look at Mater Dei, the Monarchs will host a scrimmage against Concord De La Salle at 11 a.m. Nov. 29.
--Ben Bolch
Photo: Mater Dei's Gary Franklin is pressured by a San Jose Mitty player at the CIF Division II state championships on March 14, 2008. Credit: Robert Durell
