Boys’ basketball: Vance Jackson is headed to Mater Dei

The competition to win a Southern Section basketball championship in the Open Division and a state championship just got a little more intriguing after 6-foot-8 Vance Jackson confirmed on Tuesday night that he is transferring to Santa Ana Mater Dei.

Jackson was a standout the last two seasons at St. John Bosco. His arrival at Mater Dei means the Monarchs will have one of the best big man duos in Jackson and 6-10 M.J. Cage. Mater Dei already got another transfer in point guard Spencer Freedman from Santa Monica.

Mater Dei will face a challenge from Chino Hills, led by the Ball brothers, and Sierra Canyon, the defending state Division V champs. Sierra Canyon returns its starting five and will have a healthy Ira Lee.

Corona Centennial, Crespi, Bishop Montgomery and Redondo also have veteran teams that will try to join Mater Dei, Chino Hills and Sierra Canyon in the running for No. 1 in Southern California.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer