SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS : DIVISION I-A GIRLS’ BASKETBALL : Mater Dei Defense Shuts Down Rialto

Mater Dei Coach Mary Hauser readily acknowledges her team’s pressure defense is the reason it has been so successful this season.

On Saturday, the Monarchs executed their half- and full-court press to perfection, smothering Rialto, 79-39, to advance to the Division I-A girls’ basketball semifinals Tuesday against Fountain Valley.

Mater Dei (23-1) pressed from the start, building a 14-0 lead behind Rhonda Gondringer and Melody Peterson. The Monarchs forced turnovers on the Knights’ first 10 possessions, resulting in layups or short jump shots. Rialto did not take its initial shot until 3 minutes 56 seconds were left in the opening quarter.

“They’ve probably never seen a press like this,” Hauser said. “But this is us--it’s what we do. We play with tenacity and stifle our opponents.”

That was evident against Rialto, as the Monarchs built a 42-15 halftime lead, after forcing 26 turnovers. Peterson, frequently the benefactor of Rialto miscues, scored 17 of her 19 points in the first half. The third quarter belonged to Gondringer, a junior who scored 11 of her game-high 20 points in the quarter.

Mater Dei, the second-seeded team in Division I-A, had four players score in double figures. The Monarchs tightened their defense as the game went on. Rialto scored its first basket of the second half with 1:58 remaining.

“When we get steals, it pumps us up. Our press is our weapon. If it’s not on, then we’re not on,” Peterson said.

Rialto, the No. 2 team from the San Andreas League, finished the season 23-3. Rialto was led by Tabreshia Lawrence with 14, including three three-pointers.

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In other Division I-A games:

Fountain Valley 52, Cerritos 48--Jennifer Ludwicki scored 19 points and Nicole Strange added 18 for host Fountain Valley (22-6) in the quarterfinals. The Barons will face Mater Dei in the semifinals Tuesday.