Look for some major shakeups in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 boys basketball rankings on Monday following Riverside King's shocking 71-56 upset of No. 1 Santa Ana Mater Dei (30-1) Saturday night in California's Southern Section Division I-AA championship game. Because both teams advance to the Southern Regional, they could meet again this coming week.
Kawhi Leonard, Riverside King
File Photo By Louis Lopez
Unranked King, which has lost twice, shot a blistering 65 percent in the second half (including 5-for-8 from 3-point range) as it broke away from a 23-23 halftime stalemate. Underrated 6-foot-7 senior Kawhi Leonard, headed for San Diego State, dominated inside with 20 rebounds and six blocks to go with 11 points.
Mater Dei coach Gary McKnight called him "the best player on the floor." Tony Snell and Taylor Cunningham each scored 16 points for the well balanced champions.
King coach Tim Sweeney called the upset "the biggest win in our program's history."
