Boys' basketball: The next top Mater Dei player is freshman MJ Cage

Santa Ana Mater Dei Coach Gary McKnight, who's approaching 1,000 victories in his coaching career, isn't about to retire anytime soon with developing players like 6-foot-9 freshman MJ Cage.

Cage was a major contributor in the Monarchs' 60-37 victory over Etiwanda on Saturday night to advance to the Open Division state championship game. He was rebounding, scoring and being a major physical presence inside. There was no hestitation. He' played like he was already a sophomore.

'"How good is he going to be?" McKnight said afterward.

Very good. Somebody needs to set up a Mater Dei-Chaminade game in the next three years to match Cage against Chaminade's 6-10 freshman Trevor Stanback.

-- Eric Sondheimer