Tiptoeing to Tip-Off : Mater Dei, Brea-Olinda Antsy Over Showdowns

At lunchtime Friday, the Mater Dei High School cafeteria was swarming with students dressed in red shirts, sweat shirts and jackets, buzzing about their plans to go to Sacramento for the big basketball game today.

The school spirit here is so strong and visible that it’s called the “red wave.”

Once again, county high school basketball teams will be playing in the state finals after winning regional titles last weekend--Mater Dei for the boys’ Division I title and Brea-Olinda High for the girls’ Division III crown.

On Friday, students proudly wore their school colors--scarlet and gray--and many talked about plans to drive--or fly--with friends or family to witness what will be the school’s third attempt at the state title in six years. About four buses carrying boosters will make the trip, Mater Dei Principal Lyle Porter said.

“We expect 1,000 to 1,500 Mater Dei fans to be there,” he said.

A private Roman Catholic school, Mater Dei is as well regarded for both academics and athletics. After failing to make it to the state finals last year, the Monarchs now have a shot at defending champion Alameda St. Joseph, which boasts one of the nation’s best players, point guard Jason Kidd.

“There’s a tremendous outpouring of support,” Porter said, “not just current students and families, but community supporters who go back 20 years.”

Fans regularly buy season tickets and follow the team up to 100 miles, sometimes drawing larger crowds than the home teams, Porter said.

“I go to the games with my friends,” said Erick Mangali of Anaheim. “We yell and scream and jump. We would paint ourselves red if they’d let us.”

During games, whenever a Monarch steps up to a free-throw line, the “red wave” stands up, lifts its arms and yells “whoosh!” The hands drop when the ball falls in.

“It’s a dream come true to have put in all this work and effort and to have it come through,” said Monarch guard Reggie Geary, who will be attending the University of Arizona in the fall.

“I’m really excited,” added reserve guard Brian Fleming, another graduating senior. “I’ve gone to Mater Dei games since the fifth grade. I’ve always dreamed of playing in the state finals, and I’m very confident that we’re going to do well.”

School spirit was also strong Friday in Brea, but students say they may be a little jaded because their girls have captured so many championships.

The defending state champion Ladycats have made it to the last four state finals and won three times. In the past four years, they have lost just five games.

“The students and the community are supportive,” forward Jody Anton said. “But at times, it feels like they’re thinking, ‘Oh well, they’re going to win anyway.’ That kind of hurts, because it’s a game and anything can happen.”

“It’s true,” said senior Kellie Fisk, who dressed in her cheerleader’s outfit to show support. “Some people just expect them to win. But everyone’s excited.”

“The fact that this is the fourth year we’ve made it to the championship is a historic thing,” Assistant Principal Bill Tangeman said. “At last week’s rally, the students went nuts--cheering, yelling. Every girl who was introduced got a huge ovation.”

The girls have been practicing rigorously this week. After dinner together Friday night, many of the players planned to go to bed early so they would be well rested before their early morning flight today.

“The best thing about being on the team is just being one of the girls,” said forward Jennifer Crawford, a senior. “Sitting around before a game and just talking--about the game, guys and school--while we’re getting taped up and ready: It gets us psyched up.”

“No one really talks about winning or losing,” added point guard Nicole Erickson, a sophomore. “We all know what we want.”

Her father, Keith Erickson, president of the team’s booster group, which has raised money for supplies, equipment and special events, will be at courtside to cheer her on.

“I really enjoy watching her play, but the thing I’m most proud of is her demeanor on and off the court,”said Erickson, who is not the former pro basketball player. “She knows how to win and how to lose. She doesn’t rub it into people’s faces.”

The thought of another championship trophy is tantalizing, but it is also bittersweet for those who will be graduating.

“When you think about how this is the last game the seniors are going to play, it’s sad,” said Anton, who will be attending USC this fall. “But we just want to play hard and go out on a winning note.”