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

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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