PREP BASKETBALL: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL TOURNAMENT : DIVISION I BOYS : Mater Dei Beats North Hollywood

Santa Ana Mater Dei High got an early jump on North Hollywood, breaking out to a 12-point lead before the game was five minutes old.

It was a good thing, too, Mater Dei Coach Gary McKnight said. The Monarchs survived a listless final three quarters to beat North Hollywood, 76-64, in the first round of the Southern California Regional playoffs Tuesday at Huntington Beach Ocean View.

Mater Dei led, 57-41, late in the third quarter, but couldn’t run away from North Hollywood.

When Dana Jones made a driving layup in the final seconds of the third quarter, North Hollywood was within 10, 61-51.

The Huskies got as close as 66-59 after a three-point basket by Harry Marks with 4:08 left. But Mater Dei held on down the stretch.

Mater Dei (31-1 and the No. 2-seeded team) advances to play Manual Arts in the semifinals Thursday. North Hollywood, an upset champion in the City Section 3-A division, ended its season 23-4.

“It looked like we were tired from Saturday night (when the Monarchs defeated Loyola, 83-57, in the Southern Section 5-A final),” McKnight said. “We didn’t have five guys who were focused tonight. If we don’t get five guys focused, we’re going to be out of the tournament fast.”

Mater Dei relied heavily on the inside play of Charlie Andres and Andy Karich and a swarming defense on Jones.

Andres had 23 points and 14 rebounds and Karich had 26 points to lead Mater Dei.

Jones, who had 29 points and 29 rebounds in the Huskies’ 76-71 victory over Fremont in the 3-A final last week, faced double- and triple-teaming from Mater Dei.

A 6-foot-6 center bound for Pepperdine next season, Jones had 19 points and 11 rebounds, but was held scoreless in the fourth quarter. Harry Marks led North Hollywood with 20 points.