Girls’ basketball: Mater Dei wins and gets a double bonus

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

After losing twice in the Trinity League, Mater Dei finds itself in a surprising position.

First place.

The Monarchs, ranked No. 17 by The Times, were able to avenge a defeat at the hands of Orange Lutheran with a 51-37 victory Thursday behind 19 points and 15 rebounds by Alexyz Vaioletama, a 6-foot-1 freshman.

Lutheran had beaten Mater Dei earlier this season in a fierce defensive game, 40-34. It had come on the heels of a 44-42 loss to Santa Margarita.

But the reason Mater Dei is in first place is because A) it avenged both its earlier defeats, and B) No. 18 Santa Margarita was upset by No. 25 JSerra, 56-52. That created a first-place tie between Mater Dei (21-3, 5-2) and Santa Margarita (20-4, 6-2).

Ainslie Forsum made seven of 11 three-points shots and scored 25 for JSerra (19-7, 4-3), which outscored the Eagles in the fourth quarter, 14-8. JSerra plays Lutheran (16-7, 4-6) on Feb. 6. Mater Dei’s league finale is against Rosary (12-12, 0-7) on Feb. 5.

It seems as if Trinity League girls’ basketball is every bit as competitive as Trinity League football and Trinity League boys’ basketball. It’s just a slugfest every night.

-- Martin Henderson

-- Image from www.boxingsetup.com