Girls’ Roundup : Mater Dei Hangs On for Victory

The Mater Dei High School girls’ basketball team advanced to the championship semifinals of the Marina-Edison tournament with a 55-52 victory over Katella Saturday night.

A three-point play by Katella forward Joni Easterly tied the score, 52-52, with 18 seconds left. Mater Dei guard Geri Gainey answered with her own three-point play, driving the length of the court for a basket with seven seconds left. Gainey also made the free throw.

Gainey led Mater Dei (10-2) with a game-high 24 points. Easterly led Katella (9-2) with 16.

The Monarchs meet Edison Monday night at 8:30.

In other Marina-Edison tournament games:

Edison 66, Esperanza 24--Denise Ogburn scored 17 points and Kristi Smith added 16 as the Chargers (11-1) advanced to the championship semifinals against Mater Dei Monday night. Michelle Hennessey also had eight assists for Edison. Laura Jones had eight points for the Aztecs (7-3). The Chargers outscored Esperanza, 20-0, in the third quarter.

Mission Viejo 57, Los Alamitos 40--Tricia Stringham scored 14 points to lead the Diablos into the championship quarterfinals against Foothill Monday night at 7. Kelly Moore led Los Alamitos with 18. The Diablos improved to 10-0. Los Alamitos is 6-3.

Foothill 57, Marina 56--Forward Robin Welch scored 18 points to lead the Knights into the championship semifinals against Mission Viejo. Dawn Charrion scored 22 points in a losing effort for Marina, which meets Los Alamitos Monday at 5 p.m.

Foothill is 8-2, Marina is 8-4.

Huntington Beach 35, Savanna 17--Shawna Armstrong scored 16 points and Tami Chick added 8 as the Oilers (5-5) won the consolation game. Cristina Radu led Savanna (2-7) with eight. Huntington Beach meets Orange in the consolation semifinals Monday afternoon at 1:30.

Orange 56, Corona del Mar 31--Suzette Sargeant scored 22 points and Alicia East had 14 to lead the Panthers (3-6). Kellie Cohen led Corona del Mar (0-7) with 16 points.

Fountain Valley 53, Long Beach Wilson 40--Melissa Handley and Kami Bigler combined for 43 of the Barons’ 53 points in the victory over the Bruins. Handley scored 29 points and Bigler 14. Yonay Hatch scored 17 points for Wilson. Fountain Valley advanced to the consolation semifinals and plays El Toro Monday at 12 p.m.

Fountain Valley is 8-5, Wilson is 5-7.

El Toro 47, Loara 30--Forward Andrea Young scored 21 points and center Elaine Youngs added 15 for the Chargers. Carolyn Osato led Loara with 15. El Toro is 8-4, Loara is 1-6.

In the Eisenhower tournament:

Magnolia 51, Eisenhower 47--Dawne Borum scored 20 points and Rena Rossoll added 16 as the Sentinels (9-2) won the fifth-place game of the Eisenhower Tournament. Borum coverted 10 of 13 free throws and averaged 20 points in the tournament.