Geary Thrives in Spotlight at Mater Dei : Player of the year: Relishing role as team leader, he leads top-ranked Monarchs to section and regional titles.

SANTA ANA —  Reggie Geary can do it all on the basketball court. He has always been a crowd-pleaser with his acrobatic dunks and fancy passes.

Often animated, Geary admits he is a bit of a character who enjoys performing in front of big crowds in big arenas. This season, Geary was Mater Dei’s leader, the only senior among the top nine players on the team.

It was Geary’s leadership and maturity, more than his skills, that helped Mater Dei win titles in the Southern Section I-A and Southern California Regionals.

Geary, The Times Orange County player of the year, averaged 14.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists for the top-ranked Monarchs.

Mater Dei was 34-2 this season, losing only to nationally ranked Oak Hill Academy of Mouth of Wilson, Va., and Alameda St. Joseph in the State championship game. Geary, reflecting on a banner season, relished his role as team leader.

“Coach Gary McKnight put the role of leader on me before the season started,” he said. “I had to do some growing up, mature and take control of the team.

“Making a name for yourself is very important at Mater Dei. This team went a long way and has nothing to be ashamed of. I knew I had to step up in the playoffs and the regionals or we would lose.”

Geary’s biggest moment came in the first round of the regionals. He got rebounded a missed shot with two seconds remaining and dunked for a 67-65 victory over Lynwood.

“It was the highlight of my season,” he said. “That was the only game-winning shot I’ve had in my career here. It’s something I’ll always remember.”

Geary said his consistent play in the postseason has encouraged him as he prepares for the next level. He will attend Arizona next season.

“There were a lot of league games where I know I was drifting,” he said. “I wasn’t giving everything I have. But I thought I matured through the season.

“I learned I wasn’t such a bad outside shooter. I felt that I was maybe one of the better players in Southern California. That’s not to say there aren’t holes in my game.

“I definitely have some holes in my game, and I’ll always have some holes in my game. But that’s what will keep me working hard and striving to be the best player that I can be.”

Geary’s flashy play and competitiveness make him stand out on the court. He caught the eyes of several college coaches as a junior.

He worked last summer on his outside shot, one part of his game that had been suspect. He shot 52% from the field, 61% from the free-throw line and 40% from three-point range in his senior season.

He signed with Arizona last November, saying he chose the Wildcats because he liked their up-tempo style of play.

Geary, a shooting guard as a sophomore and junior, plans to move to point guard in college and played the position at times as a senior. He led the Monarchs in assists last season with 6.5 per game.

Geary’s high school career got off to a somewhat tumultuous start. He started on the Ocean View freshman team and was the team’s best player.

He was later declared ineligible when it was determined his primary residence wasn’t in Ocean View’s attendance area.

He transferred to Mater Dei during his freshman season.

“Coming to Mater Dei is the best thing that could have happened to me,” Geary said. “I learned to play the game here. In junior high, I was just better than the other kids and that was enough. But you have to do more at this level.”

The Boys’ Roster

FIRST TEAM

Pos. Name School Yr. Ht. Pts. G Tom Airey Capistrano Valley Sr. 6-1 15.3 F Adam Anderson Servite Sr. 6-5 13.0 F Jason Cunningham Los Alamitos Sr. 6-5 22.3 F Matt Fuerbringer Estancia Sr. 6-7 19.2 C Jermaine Galloway Kennedy Sr. 6-10 20.4 G Reggie Geary Mater Dei Sr. 6-3 14.8 F Brandon Jessie Edison Sr. 6-5 22.7 F Terry Mann Sunny Hills Sr. 6-7 22.9 G Derek Roche Tustin Sr. 6-1 18.0 C Gavin Vanderputten Trabuco Hills Sr. 6-10 20.4

SECOND TEAM

Pos. Name School Yr. Ht. Pts. G Jim Faulkner Estancia Jr. 6-4 12.0 G Darren Gravley Laguna Beach Sr. 6-0 18.3 G Chris Jackson Western Sr. 6-0 15.0 F Matt Kordik Esperanza Sr. 6-7 22.4 G Jado Lee Irvine Sr. 6-2 16.1 F Justin McIntee Newport Harbor Sr. 6-3 23.6 G Jentry Moore Tustin Sr. 6-2 15.2 G Tobie Priest Savanna Sr. 6-0 22.2 G David Sedgwick Capistrano Valley Jr. 6-2 6.6 F Marmet Williams Mater Dei Jr. 6-5 12.5

Player of the Year: Reggie Geary, Mater Dei

Coach of the Year: Rich Prospero, Santa Ana Valley