Valencia Tournament : Ellis, Rembert Pair Up in 74-30 Mater Dei Blowout

Just in case anyone thought Mater Dei High School was a one-man basketball team, that idea was laid to rest Friday night. As expected, highly publicized center LeRon Ellis led the Monarchs with 22 points in a 74-30 victory over Valencia in the championship final of the Valencia Tournament.

But it was 6-foot 5-inch forward Kevin Rembert’s 17 points that made the victory impressive.

Although Valencia was never really in the game, it did a good job of containing Ellis in the first half. The Tigers couldn’t say the same about their defensive effort on Rembert, who scored 11 points in the first half and helped Ellis carry the offensive load.

No other Monarch player scored in double figures.

Mater Dei (4-0) put the game away midway through the first half, scoring 12 straight points to turn a 12-7 lead into a 24-7 advantage, with Ellis and Rembert combining for eight of the 12 points in the run.

The Tigers never recovered.

Valencia is 3-1.

The second half was highlighted by two magnificent plays by Ellis.

There was a reverse slam dunk through three Valencia players with 6:45 left in the third quarter. And then in the fourth quarter, he took a perfect lob pass from guard Juan DeAnda and slammed the ball into the basket. Ellis left the game following that play and the final six minutes were turned over to the Monarch reserves.

Valencia was led by guard Mike Munoz, who scored seven points, all in the first half.

In the third place game:

Lakewood 70, Westminster 66--Guard Duane Cooper scored 23 points to lead Lakewood (3-1) to the victory in three overtimes. Westminster (2-2) was led by Chris Tower, who scored 30 points.

In the fifth-place game:

Fontana 74, Orange 54--Sean Rooks scored 29 points and Mike Flynn scored 23 for the Steelers (2-1).

Dan Adams scored 18 and Rusty Olsen 12 for the Panther (1-3).

In the consolation championship:

Rancho Alamitos 77, Rosemead 74--The Vaqueros made 13 of 15 free throws in the fourth quarter and 29 of 35 in the game. Craig Paquett scored 34 points and Randy Morales 22 for Rancho Alamitos (2-1).