Mater Dei Shows Why It’s No. 1, Romps to 111-31 Victory

Sometimes the final score doesn’t tell the story. But when Mater Dei was finished whipping Santa Ana Valley, 111-31, in the semifinals of the Daily Pilot Tipoff Classic Friday night, there wasn’t anything left to explain.

“Awesome, that’s the only thing that comes to mind,” Santa Ana Valley Coach Rich Prospero said when asked to describe Mater Dei, the county’s top-rated team.

The Monarchs (3-0) wasted little time at the Newport Harbor gym showing how dominating they can be. After Terence Wilborn scored on a jam to complete a 9-0 Monarch run to start the game, it was apparent Mater Dei would be coasting in this one.

Wilborn led Mater Dei’s fast-breaking offense with 23 points. Jovan Robinson led the Falcons--who were held to two points in the third quarter--with eight.

Mater Dei Coach Gary McKnight was almost apologetic after the easy victory. He called Santa Ana Valley a good team and said he hoped the Falcons would learn from their big loss.

“All we learned is how good Mater Dei is,” Prospero said.