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FULLERTON — Mater Dei’s girls basketball team dueled a familiar foe into the fourth quarter Monday night as faced it toughest test in three weeks.
Orange County’s top-ranked squad responded with the poise and execution that has it contending for perhaps the No. 2 seed in the CIF Southern Section Open Division playoffs.
The Monarchs used a 14-0 run during a four-minute stretch in the middle of the fourth period to dispatch feisty Windward 61-39 at the first Rosary showcase at Rosary High on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
“I’m proud of how we reacted,” said Mater Dei point guard Addison Deal, who helped sparked the run on both ends of the floor en route to 13 points and five assists. “I thought our press was really good. We got quite a few tips, took them out of their offense. I think that helped us.”
Mater Dei (20-2) led 47-37 with 5:17 left in the fourth period against Windward (8-7), the school it beat in the finals of the West Coast Jamboree on Dec. 30.
But coming out a timeout, the Monarchs unleashed a surge that started with a basket in the post by Nohe’alani Stores.
Deal, an Iowa bound senior, then made a steal guarding the point and bounced an assist to senior Amaya Williams for a breakaway layup. Kaeli Wynn followed with a 3-pointer from the top of the arc.
Mater Dei capped the run with a 3-pointer from Stella Hoss on a cross-court pass from senior Devyn Kiernan.
“Windward plays hard,” said first-year Monarchs coach Jody Wynn, whose team beat Widcats 65-49 at the West Coast Jamboree. “They give us a different look with their length and athleticism that we don’t see all the time. It’s hard to get used to a little bit.”
“Third quarter, I thought we calmed down and we settled in,” the coach added. “(This) prepares us for playoffs. That’s why we play Winward. … We have one of the top strength of schedules in the state, and that’s for a reason.”
Kaeli Wynn paced Mater Dei with a game-high 20 points and added 10 rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Mater Dei’s production off the bench was again key. Stores, a UC Irvine signee, scored six of her 13 points in the fourth period as the Monarchs dominated bench points 17-4.
“I honestly feel much better coming off the bench,” said Stores, a transfer from Milpitas in Northern California. “I’m definitely being utilized well because Coach Jody is a great coach and she’s been working with me one-on-one a lot. I’ve definitely felt growth.”
Mater Dei struggled shooting in leading 23-19 at halftime. The Monarchs went 1 for 13 from beyond the arc in first half but made 5 of 12 of their 3-point attempts in the second half.
Mater Dei extended its winning streak to a season-high nine games. The Monarchs’ only loss in the section came against Ontario Christian in the finals of the Troy Classic.
“Our team is playing with a lot of confidence right now,” said Kaeli Wynn, who sank three of her four 3-pointers in the second half. “We (have) six seniors. There’s a lot confidence and trust within my teammates.”
Windward played its first game since the West Coast Jamboree. The school has been affected by the fires in Los Angeles, coach Rachel Schrote said. “Super proud of how we compete,” she said.
In another game at the Rosary showcase:
Brentwood 69, Fairmont Prep 59: The Eagles (13-5) made nine of their 12 3-pointers in the first half and collected their second victory on Monday. Earlier in the day, Brentwood defeated Legacy 75-43.
Almost 70 families and teachers at the K-12 school lost homes in the L.A. fires, Eagles coach Charles Solomon said.
Adyra Rajan had 20 points, including four 3s, and eight rebounds and Sarah Aldeguer added 19 points and 13 rebounds for Fairmont Prep (16-7), ranked No. 2 in the county.
More results to come.
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