Brea-Olinda Girls Champs; Mater Dei Loses

It was a day of mixed emotions for Orange County high school basketball as the Brea-Olinda girls won but the Mater Dei boys lost Saturday in state championship games at the Arco Arena.

Brea won its third title in four years by defeating Healdsburg, 47-44, in the Division III final. Guard Nicole Erickson made a three-point shot with a minute and a half remaining for the winning points.

Senior forward Jody Anton had 19 points and 16 rebounds for the Ladycats, then burst into tears during the victory celebration.

“It’s sad knowing this is your last game, and it’s all over after you’ve worked so hard for four years,” said Anton, who helped Brea win 129 of 135 games during her career. She is headed for USC next season.

Mater Dei, the state’s top-ranked boys’ team, was beaten by the state’s best player, Jason Kidd, in the Division I final. Kidd scored 28 points, had nine rebounds and added three assists in Alameda St. Joseph’s 59-37 victory before 15,788 fans.

Mater Dei lost for just the 26th time in 10 years under Coach Gary McKnight. St. Joseph’s winning margin was the biggest in the state tournament since it was revived in 1981.

Mater Dei fell behind, 19-4, in the first half, going nearly 11 minutes without making a field goal. The Monarchs rallied to within 28-26 early in the third quarter, but St. Joseph put the game away with a 15-2 run.

Kidd, named national high school player of the year by Parade magazine, punctuated the victory with a breakaway dunk shot for his final points late in the fourth quarter. The senior will continue his career at UC Berkeley.

Mater Dei won state titles in 1987 and 1990, but the Monarchs’ junior-dominated lineup was no match for St. Joseph, the defending champion.

“We have nothing to hold our heads down about,” Mater Dei guard Reggie Geary said. “We lost to a great team with a great player.”

* RELATED STORIES, PHOTOS: C1, C4-5