TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS : Despite Lapses, Mater Dei Rolls to Title

If not for the trophy they walked off with, you never would have known that Mater Dei had won the title of Ocean View Tournament of Champions Saturday night at Ocean View High School.

The way Mater Dei Coach Gary McKnight sounded, you got the idea the Monarchs had been on the wrong side of their 85-54 victory over Long Beach Poly.

For the record, Miles Simon--the tournament’s most valuable player--led Mater Dei (9-0) to an easy victory with a game-high 24 points. But McKnight, who is concerned with bigger things than winning local tournaments--such as State titles--wasn’t pleased with the effort of the Monarchs, who are ranked No. 7 nationally.

“We have too many lapses,” said McKnight. “Until we turn it up every time down, this coach will not be happy. We need to step it up or this will be a short season.”

Simon said he understood what McKnight was talking about.

“I feel we do have letdowns at times,” Simon said. “We need to play against ourselves, play as if it’s 0-0 all the time.”

Jackrabbit Coach Ron Palmer thought Mater Dei played with plenty of intensity, but added a word of caution.

“They did a great job. Their knowledge of the game is so strong,” said Palmer, whose Jackrabbits (5-3) were led by Al Curry’s 13 points. “But it’s December, not March. They are just ahead of everyone now.”

The Jackrabbits kept it close for a little more than a quarter. They trailed by only five points with less than six minutes left in the second quarter, but Mater Dei pulled away for good with a 19-9 run.

David Drakeford added 16 points for Mater Dei.

In the third-place game:

Huntington Beach 68, Ocean View 50--Matt Ambrose scored 14 points to lead Huntington Beach (6-2) past visiting Ocean View (5-3). Jim Harris of Ocean View led all scorers with 24 points.

In a consolation game:

Long Beach Jordan 65, Servite 48--Everett Ratleff scored 27 points, including four three-pointers, for Jordan (4-3). Tony Iannone scored 11 for Servite (1-6).