Buena Rallies to Defeat Mater Dei for I-A Title

Nicole Greathouse, unhappy with her effort in the first half Friday night, played inspired basketball in the final two quarters, leading Ventura Buena High to a 56-51 victory over Santa Ana Mater Dei in the Southern Section Division I-A girls’ championship before 6,625 at the Pyramid in Long Beach.

Mater Dei (25-3) defeated Buena (28-1), 57-53, in last year’s final.

Greathouse, a 6-foot-2 center, finished with 23 points and 14 rebounds. She scored eight of Buena’s final 10 points and had two blocked shots in the final minute.

The Monarchs led, 46-42, with 6:35 remaining, but managed only two field goals the rest of the game.

Ronnie Gondringer led Mater Dei with 10 points and nine rebounds.

Torrance Bishop Montgomery 62, Pasadena Muir 34--Tashara Carter scored a game-high 19 points, including 13 in the first half, and added 10 rebounds as Bishop Montgomery completed its unusual journey to the Southern Section III-AA title at the Pyramid.

Bishop Montgomery (12-15) barely made the playoffs after forfeiting eight games in January because a clerical error that left two players ineligible.

Despite the setback, the Knights routed their four playoff opponents.

“We knew we should have been here all along,” Bishop Montgomery Coach Yvette Angel said. “We’ve been practicing and playing hard all year to get to this point.”

Muir (25-5) trailed, 15-10, after one quarter, but Bishop Montgomery, behind Carter and Tiffany Washington, who finished with 13 points and eight rebounds, outscored the Mustangs, 16-4, to take a 31-14 halftime lead.

Tiana Sanders led Muir with 12 points and 10 rebounds.