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The keen observers certainly noted that Fairmont Prep and Sage Hill have each spent time this girls basketball season in the No. 2 spot in the Orange County rankings without facing off on the hardwood.
That all changed Saturday at the inaugural Kiernan Klassic at Mater Dei High, and so did the debate.
No. 3 Fairmont Prep used a spirited second half of rebounding and defense to defeat No. 2 Sage Hill 63-46 to highlight county results at an inaugural event that paid tribute to former Mater Dei girls coach Kevin Kiernan.
Sage Hill (8-7) led 29-28 at halftime but the Huskies (11-5) won the second half 35-17 by grabbing offensive rebounds and steals for points in transition.
Sharp-shooter Adyra Rajan scored a game-high 28 points to lead four Huskies in double-figures. Guard Lesina Afu (14 points), post Sarah Aldeguer (11 points) and guard Maria Mejia (10 points) rounded out the attack.
“This is a great game to help us boost up,” said Rajan, who was selected the game MVP. “We have such a hard schedule and (that) is what prepared us for these types of games.”
“At the end of the day,” the junior added, “we’re preparing for the playoffs and hopefully the Open Division. We’re ready.”
Despite playing without starting guard Kayla Priest (ankle) and relying on only one reserve, Fairmont Prep surged in the third period by driving to the basket for layups while drawing fouls.
Mejia tied the score 37-37 with a drive and foul shot with 4:44 left in the frame.
Fairmont Prep sank 6 of 9 fouls shots in the third quarter. During one possession, the Huskies twice grabbed offensive rebounds on their missed free throws.
“We have three standards,” Fairmont Prep coach Josh Lozano said. “It’s relentless effort. Win forever. And do it together. … (We had) relentless effort. That’s what we wanted.”
Fairmont Prep took a 48-44 lead into the fourth quarter after Aldeguer closed the third with an offensive rebound and putback.
Rajan capped a 10-0 run to open the fourth period with a steal and 3-pointer from the top of the arc.
Sage Hill called timeout and scored to end the run but didn’t find the basket again.
Rajan and Mejia each had four steals and Aldeguer added three steals as the Huskies forced 21 turnovers.
“Their will was better than our will,” said Lightning coach Kerwin Walters, who started two juniors, two freshmen and a sophomore. “We have to play as a team. We have to go and do the extras. We got to box out. We got to rebound. We have to do the little things that makes us successful.”
“If weren’t not going to do the little things, games like this become like that,” he added. “Fairmont Prep did their job. They played with six girls. They played hard. They played with intention. They wanted it more.”
Sophomore Kamdyn Klamberg paced Sage Hill with 16 points while freshman Addison Uphoff added 12. All-County guard Amalia Holguin was held to seven points.
Freshman post Eve Fowler had 10 of her game-high 14 rebounds in the first half.
Also at the Kiernan Klassic:
Mater Dei 83, Centennial 30: Addison Deal had 22 points, 10 assists and four steals and Kaeli Wynn added 19 points, including five 3-pointers, to lead the Monarchs (16-2), ranked No. 1 in the county.
Esperanza 47, Sonora 41: Freshman Avery Kame scored 13 points to lead the Aztecs (13-6), who led by 19 points in the fourth quarter. Kailanii Kuwae, also a freshman, and Liana Hwang scored 13 and 12 points, respectively, for the Raiders (10-7).
In the Rancho Cucamonga showcase:
Crean Lutheran 69, Buena Park 62: Sydnee Norward scored 25 points and Micaela Hanning added 21 to lead the Saints (15-2).
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