BOYS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Focused Mater Dei Routs Louisville Ballard, 70-49

Just when it seemed Mater Dei was scratching to survive, the Monarchs go out and maul somebody.

They had just hung on Tuesday, but seemed determined not to let Louisville Ballard hang around Wednesday. A second-half blitz led to the Monarchs’ 70-49 victory at Las Vegas Durango High School, putting Mater Dei in today’s Reebok Holiday Prep Classic semifinals this morning against Washington, D.C. Dunbar, a 77-71 winner over Las Vegas Durango. The championship game is tonight.

“We came out focused tonight,” said guard Clay McKnight, who scored 15 points. “We knew our defense would lead to some offense.”

The Monarchs overwhelmed the Bruins (4-3) in the second half, outscoring them, 35-18. Mater Dei led, 35-31, at halftime, then left Ballard gagging on fumes.

The key was a 13-0 run that gave Mater Dei a 52-33 lead with nine minutes left. Schea Cotton scored six of those points and Kevin Augustine four.

This was the same Augustine who was one for seven from the field Tuesday, one reason the Monarchs barely survived Federal Way (Wash.) Decatur, 49-48. Augustine, a sophomore point guard, scored 10 points against Ballard, making all four of his shots.

“I can do other things to help the team beside score,” Augustine said. “But when I get my points, it seems to free up the other guys.”

Guys like Cotton, for instance. He scored 24 points, making 10 of 14 shots. He made his last seven shots before fouling out with three minutes left.

“Tonight, that was what Schea Cotton is all about,” Coach Gary McKnight said. “When he shoots like that, he’s scary.”