Grey Gives Mater Dei Lift in Victory

Rising to the occasion against post player Chanda McLeod, Ana Grey led sixth-ranked Mater Dei to a 62-50 victory over fifth-ranked Marina in the second round of the Marina girls’ basketball tournament.

Grey finished her opportunities, making six of seven from the field and grabbing nine rebounds to lead the Monarchs (7-5) into the semifinals Monday against second-ranked San Clemente.

“I don’t even know where that came from,” Grey said of her performance. “Usually I don’t shoot. Coach [Geri Campeau] gave me the green light this year. I didn’t have the green light last year [as a reserve]. Well, I had the green light for the garbage baskets.”

Mater Dei made nine of its first 11 shots, led 31-27 at halftime, and blew the game open in the early minutes of the fourth quarter when Marina (9-3) went one for 11 from the field. The Monarchs’ 44-42 lead stretched to 59-46.

In its first meeting, a 67-64 Monarch victory, Marina played without two starters, including McLeod. Most assumed that, with McLeod in the lineup, Marina would win.

That wasn’t the case.

“I think there was still a question about whether we could beat them at full strength,” Campeau said. “[Coming off a 1-3 performance in the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions], this does wonders for our confidence.”

Marina didn’t help itself, shooting 15 of 55 from the field, and making only 17 of 33 free throws. Mater Dei made 27 of 46 (58.7%) from the field.

Maile Shimoda was the only other Monarch in double figures with 10 points.

Natalie Nakase scored 18 for Marina and McLeod had 14 with eight rebounds.

In other tournament games:

Harbor City Narbonne 64, El Dorado 38--The Golden Hawks (9-2) were tied at 9-9 before Narbonne went on a 12-1 run in the last 2:30 of the first quarter and first two minutes of the second. Narbonne (11-1), ranked No. 1 in the state and 10th nationally, didn’t start any seniors, and exploited its size and strength advantage, taking advantage of 16 first-half turnovers and a 42-25 rebounding edge. El Dorado, limited to seven offensive rebounds, got 11 points from Stephanie Patten and 10 from Jennie Bluth.

No. 2 San Clemente 57, Fountain Valley 33--The Barons (4-7), led by Kelly Boeke’s 12 points and 12 rebounds, trailed by only six with 1:58 left in the third quarter, but San Clemente (12-1) went on a 22-2 run, including 12-0 run over the next 3:38. Colleen Turnbull had 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Tritons, and Kelley Kruger had 14 points and nine steals.

Santa Margarita 65, Huntington Beach 40--Daniell Bennett scored 23 points for the Eagles (8-5), who outscored Huntington Beach, 21-8, in the second quarter. Courtney McKinney led the Oilers (6-8) with 12 points.

Century 48, Pacifica 32--Century outscored Pacifica, 28-11, through two quarters as Aprile Powell scored 24 points for the Centurions in a consolation game.

Jaymee Pendergast had 17 points for Pacifica (4-6).