Boys’ basketball: Stanley Johnson leads Mater Dei to title

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Stanley Johnson scored 26 points and had 12 rebounds to win his third consecutive state championship on Saturday night, leading Santa Ana Mater Dei past San Jose Mitty, 50-45, in the Open Division final at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento.

Aaron Gordon, Mitty’s 6-foot-8 senior, had 22 points and 20 rebounds.

“Stanley got pretty tired toward the end, but he put on a show for three quarters,” Coach Gary McKnight said. “It was two of the great players in high school basketball.”

It was the 10th state championship for the Monarchs (34-2), making the program the winningest in state history, surpassing the Brea Olinda girls’ program. Mater Dei survived 25% shooting from the field by taking care of the ball. Mitty (29-5) finished with 22 turnovers.

James McGee, a senior reserve guard, hit a pair of three-pointers in the fourth quarter to help Mater Dei build a 12-point lead and enable to the Monarchs to hold on when Mitty made a challenge.

-- Eric Sondheimer