Santee Is No Match for the Monarchs : Division III: The Morningside girls overcome some poor shooting with strong defense in 68-59 win.

The Morningside High girls’ basketball team advanced to the Southern California Division III championship game with a 68-59 victory over Santana High of Santee Thursday night at Inglewood.

The Monarchs (28-2) forced Santana (27-2) into numerous turnovers and limited the Sultans to four-for-23 shooting in the first half.

“Our defense is our best offense,” Morningside Coach Rod Tatum said. “When we are playing good defense it picks up our offense, we move better and play more lively.”

Morningside took a 13-2 lead as Santana missed its first nine shots. The Monarchs weren’t much better from the field, missing their first six shots.

Santana’s poor shooting continued into the second quarter as the Sultans made only two-of-11 shots and trailed, 37-20, at halftime.

“We were worried about (Morningside’s) defense,” Santana Coach Wade Vickery said. “I saw their CIF championship game and I knew we’d have a difficult game if we couldn’t handle their pressure. They are really just a better team.”

The Monarchs were led by Center Tina Thompson, who scored 14 of her 20 points in the first half. Thompson had 19 rebounds, 13 of which came in the first half.

“She was the best player out there,” Vickery said.

Monarch forward Cha-Ron Walker scored 18 points and had five rebounds, and point guard Kameisha Prewitt had 10 points.

Santana was led by center Cathy Bass, who had a game-high 23 points. Bass, who averages 25 points, had to work for her shots. She was only six-for-19 shooting, including three three-point baskets, and was 8-for-12 on free throws.

Guard Jenny Yoney added 19 points for the Sultans, 15 of which came on free throws.

The Monarchs, who have won 19 consecutive games, advance to the Division III championship game at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Sports Arena against Costa Mesa.

“We will go to bed early (tonight), wake up early and be glad to be there,” Tatum said. “We are one game away from where we’ve wanted to be since the beginning of the season.”