Mater Dei Hustles to Defeat Clovis West

They were definitely familiar with each other’s play, but Mater Dei outlasted host Clovis West, 60-50, in the first round of the Southern California Regional girls’ basketball playoffs Tuesday.

“I think it was just our experience compared with their experience,” Mater Dei Coach Mary Hauser said. “Clovis West was giving it their all, all night, scrapping and fighting.”

Mater Dei (26-3) advanced to play San Diego Rancho Bernardo, which defeated Palos Verdes Peninsula, 64-55.

After losing by five points in the Southern Section Division I-A championship game last week, the Monarchs simply outhustled the Eagles Tuesday with inspired play from seniors Melody Peterson and Rhonda Gondringer.

Peterson and Gondringer were coming off tough games, but put that behind them, along with the Eagles, with big games, leading the scoring with 15 points a piece.

“[Gondringer’s] senior leadership was great tonight, she started out hesitant after last game, but came out after them tonight,” Hauser said.

Clovis West (24-7) put a scare in the Mater Dei attack early in the fourth quarter, giving Peterson her fourth foul with 7:52 remaining. With Peterson sitting with four fouls, Gondringer, who scored 13 of her 15 in the second half, stepped up her game. Lori Hurlbut added great support, scoring 10 of her 12 points in the final quarter.

Mater Dei, which slowly increased its lead throughout the game, was up, 51-46, with 3:19 remaining. Hurlbut’s three-pointer with only two seconds remaining on the shot clock sealed the fate of the Eagles. Clovis West stayed with Mater Dei, swapping baskets, but two Hurlbut free throws and a Peterson layup finished the Eagles’ season.

The big jump for the Monarchs came in the third with 4:06 remaining. The Eagles’ Sarah Lien made a free throw to complete a three-point play and cut Mater Dei’s lead to 31-30. But Gondringer scored six points in the next 1:17 to give Mater Dei the momentum and a seven-point lead.