Jennings Sets Mark in Loss to Mater Dei

Jenny Jennings said the Southern Section three-point record she set Saturday meant little to her. Maybe if her team, Capistrano Valley, had defeated Mater Dei--or been competitive--it might have been different.

But Jennings and the Cougars fell short as Mater Dei won, 58-39, to claim the South Coast League girls’ basketball title at the Bren Center.

Capistrano Valley, ranked seventh in Orange County, won the last meeting between the teams, 61-54. Another victory would have given the Cougars a share of the league title for the first time since the 1992-93 season. It also would have virtually guaranteed them the No. 3 seeding in the Division I-AA playoffs. Now, they could drop below Esperanza, and because the playoffs will be bracketed regionally, they might find themselves leaving Orange County to play.

“I feel so disappointed we lost,” said Jennings, who is shooting 54% from beyond the three-point line. “I’ll look back on [the record] after the season’s over--it’s a nice accomplishment. But no question, I would trade the record for a victory.”

Mater Dei (18-6, 9-1), ranked fourth in Orange County and No. 4 in Division I-A, won its fourth consecutive league title. Capistrano Valley (18-8, 7-3) tied San Clemente for second place.

Jennings scored a game-high 18 points. Her four three-pointers gave her 123 this season, surpassing the 121 of Sarah Hagman of La Crescenta Crescenta Valley in the 1993-94 season.

The record-breaker came with 7 minutes 39 seconds left, but it did little damage--it cut Mater Dei’s lead to 14 points, 41-27. The Cougars got no closer than 13.

“The last game, we keyed on Jennings too much and the other players were getting open,” said Geri Gainey, the Mater Dei assistant in charge of the defense. “Jenny’s a great player. She’s going to get her points. But don’t let the rest of the team beat you.”

The Monarchs didn’t. The Cougars made as many field goals in the fourth quarter (six) as they did in the previous three combined. Despite shooting two for 14 in the second quarter, they trailed by only five, 25-20, at halftime, largely because they made eight of eight free throws.

But a one-for-eight performance in the third quarter, coupled with only four rebounds, created an 18-point deficit; they trailed, 41-24, entering the fourth quarter.

Tina Garcia led Mater Dei with 17 points, and her four steals and three blocked shots were indicative of the Monarchs’ performance on defense. She left in the third quarter after injuring her left knee, but returned limping in the fourth. She was told afterward to stay off it the next two days.

Lori Hurlbut scored 13 points and Christina Colon had nine for the Monarchs.

In South Coast League boys’ basketball:

Mater Dei 94, Capistrano Valley 51--Kevin Augustine led all players with 31 points and made three of seven from three-point range for Mater Dei (25-2, 10-0). Ryan Thurlow scored 15 for visiting Capistrano Valley.

In Sea View League boys’ basketball:

Newport Harbor 63, El Toro 47--Danny Pulido had 16 points and 11 rebounds as Newport Harbor defeated El Toro (18-9, 5-6) to clinch third place in the Sea View League and an automatic playoff berth.

Matt Jameson had 13 points and eight assists for the Sailors (15-11, 6-5).

The Chargers will have to petition for a wild-card berth.

In the South Coast League boys’ soccer:

Capistrano Valley 1, Dana Hills 0--Jon Tarnow had three saves and a shutout as Capistrano Valley defeated Dana Hills (7-9-1, 5-5-1) to win third place and an automatic playoff berth.

Phil Latini scored for the Cougars (16-6-3, 6-4-1).