MaxPreps 2013-14 Preseason Xcellent 25 Basketball preview: No. 5 Mater Dei

Key returners:

M.J. Cage (6-10, So., C)

Stanley Johnson (6-7, Sr., G)

Troy Kramer (6-7, Jr., F)

La'vette Parker (6-2, Jr., G)

Mario Soto (6-6, Sr., F)

Bailey Stout (6-1, So., G)

Newcomers:

Rex Pflueger (6-6, Jr., G/F)

Dwight Ramos (6-3, So., F)

Matthew Weyand (6-4, Fr., F)

Circle the date:

Mater Dei's Nike Extravaganza is one of the top showcase events on the West Coast each year. This season the Monarchs lined up a doozy of a Saturday night opponent in No. 9 Whitney Young and its 6-10 star senior center Jahlil Okafor.

There will also be a pair of showdowns with Trinity League rival and national preseason No. 10 St. John Bosco. Mater Dei hosts the Braves on Jan. 15 while Bosco takes its turn at home Feb. 7.

Tournament time:

The Monarchs will return to the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas this December to defend their title. Mater Dei beat Bishop Gorman in last year's final. Other powerhouse programs in the field are defending national champ Lone Peak (Highland, Utah), Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland, Calif.), Modesto Christian (Calif.) and Redondo Union (Redondo Beach, Calif.).

Mater Dei opens the season at Mission Viejo's Diablo Inferno tourney in early December and will also participate in the Orange Holiday Classic after Christmas.