On the record: McKnight ties state mark for wins

UPDATE 1/18/10: McKnight gets state record

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO - In 29 years at Mater Dei, basketball coach Gary McKnight has become accustomed to winning.

After Friday night's 84-47 Trinity League victory at JSerra, McKnight tied former St. Joseph of Alameda and Bishop O'Dowd of Oakland coach Mike Phelps for the state record with 843 career victories.

"I'm very fortunate to be at a school that gives me that opportunity to have a successful program," McKnight said. "I've had a lot of really fine coaches over the years, obviously I've had a lot of good talent and it's been a great situation for me to coach in."

The victory was the ninth in a row for the Monarchs (15-1, 3-0) and ensured that McKnight would not have to wait until next week's Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Mass., to catch Phelps.

A full-court press that forced the Lions (9-8, 0-3) into several mistakes helped the Monarchs roll to a 28-2 run in the second quarter.

"We were able to run some players in and out," McKnight said. "We really wore them (JSerra) out in the second quarter."

Mater Dei's Tyler Lamb, who finished with six points, seven rebounds and 11 assists, helped change the tempo early in the run by throwing down a lob pass from Tommy Stangl.

"Tyler's one of those guys, you just throw it up there and he'll go get it," Stangl said. "He makes you look good."

Lamb also set the tone on JSerra's third possession of the game by emphatically rejecting a lay-up that drew a rise out of most of the approximately 600 fans in attendance.

Keala King led the Monarchs with 14 points and six rebounds, while Gary Franklin and Max Hooper combined for 24 points and seven 3-pointers.

But the night belonged to McKnight, who received a large ovation following the game.

"I'm still having fun and hope to do it another 10 years," he said.