It’s been a bit hush-hush on the situation surrounding two top recruits coming – and then going – from the Mater Dei boys basketball team this summer. A tough pill to swallow for a team slated to win a CIF SS Open Division title, with the likes of Bol Bol anchoring the middle and heady PG Freedman pulling the strings. PJ Fuller, only a junior, would’ve learned from the craftsman himself, while bringing his own ‘Seattle Swag’ to the forefront.
Mater Dei (6-2) started off strong, taking The Mission Viejo Diablo Inferno Tourney ‘Ship. It’s been a bit tougher on the national stage as one could only imagine, competing against some of the top schools in the country. The Monarchs came up short during the City of Palms Classic, going 1-2. Here are the two loses (Maxpreps):
12/20 – 81-70 (2OT) University (FL)
12/22 – 81-73 Wesleyan Christian Academy (NC)
Recruits come and go. Mater Dei has been a staple, in that guys seem to come and stay – rarely seeing those who’ve entered, jump ship. Is it the end to a dynasty on the CA High School Hoops Circuit? Have the Monarchs rubbed the basketball Gods the wrong way? Maybe. Maybe not. We do know that players – and parents – have a tendency these days to scratch those itches as soon as they can. In the case of Fuller and Bol Bol, we can only speculate what went down. We can however, continue to keep an eye out on Mater Dei, seeing if these departures have any long term effect on their program.
Upcoming Tournament:
December 27-30, 2017
Les Schwab Invitational – Portland, Oregon
