Another Game Means Another Mater Dei Rout

Santa Ana Mater Dei did not rest on its laurels.

The Monarchs were at it again, just days after administering the worst beating in Southern Section championship game history. This time it was Long Beach Poly that took a thrashing.

The Monarchs’ 65-47 victory Tuesday night at UC Irvine’s Bren Center in the first round of the Southern Regional was a stepping-stone, one that could lead them to The Pond of Anaheim for a third consecutive showdown with Los Angeles Crenshaw in the regional final. Crenshaw has won the previous two meetings, winning state titles both seasons.

In a regional semifinal Thursday at the Pyramid at Long Beach State, Mater Dei will play Fairfax, a 52-51 winner over Rancho Buena Vista on Tuesday.

Fairfax had better take note. The Monarchs (33-1) have allowed only 19 first-half points in their past two games combined. They led, 38-10, against La Punete Nogales on Saturday en route to an 83-33 victory in the Southern Section I-A title game.

Poly (21-11) was the next to feel that defensive pressure.

The Jackrabbits (21-11) trailed, 36-9, at halftime. They did not score for the first 5:16, turned the ball over six times and missed seven shots in their first 11 possessions.

By the time Mike McDonald’s rebound layup got Poly on the board, the game belonged to Mater Dei.

“You have to be real happy holding teams to 10 and nine points in a half,” Coach Gary McKnight said. “We’ve had good defensive intensity.”

The offense wasn’t so bad, either. Mater Dei scored the first 14 points, with Schea Cotton scoring seven. Cotton finished with 18.

Cotton and center Shaun Jackson (22 points) dominated the inside. Jackson was eight of 10 from the field and had seven rebounds.