PREP ROUNDUP : Mater Dei Girls Rout San Clemente

San Clemente went into Tuesday’s South Coast League girls’ basketball showdown with Mater Dei as the mirror image of the Monarchs. Like the county’s top-ranked team, the Tritons were in first place and getting the most out of a press-and-transition type of style.

But Coach Mary Mulligan, knowing her team couldn’t match up with the Monarchs, slowed the tempo and went to a half-court game. And that didn’t work, either.

Mater Dei scored a 73-30 victory over visiting San Clemente, improving to 16-0 and 5-0 through the first round of league play. San Clemente (13-8, 4-1) had won 12 of its previous 15 games.

“All we want to do is win the other four games (against the other four opponents) and go 8-2,” Mulligan said. “Mater Dei’s not going to lose a game in league.”

The Tritons had some success in the first quarter, trailing, 14-8, but Mater Dei’s full-court press--leading to eight San Clemente turnovers--limited the Tritons to three points in the second. Although San Clemente has beaten two teams that have been in the county’s top 10, including Marina, Mater Dei showed it’s in a league of its own; the Monarchs shot 52% from the field (30 for 58).

Leading scorer Melody Peterson had only two points at halftime, yet the Monarchs led, 35-11, largely because of reserve Lori Hurlbut. She scored 13 in the half and finished with 16, including four three-point baskets. Peterson (17 points, eight fewer than her average) scored 15 in the third quarter before fouling out with 7:31 left.