Mater Dei Gets Past Artesia

What the Southern California Division I boys’ basketball regional final lacked in artistry it made up for with grit and determination Saturday at San Diego State’s Cox Arena.

After Santa Ana Mater Dei made only one fourth-quarter field goal, it finally outlasted Lakewood Artesia in overtime, 68-55, in front of an announced session crowd of 6,145 to earn its fifth trip to the state finals.

Mater Dei will play Oakland Fremont, a 55-50 winner Saturday night over Concord De La Salle, next Saturday at Arco Arena in Sacramento.

Steve Scoggin scored 18 points to lead Mater Dei (34-3), which scored 15 consecutive points in the overtime before Artesia’s Jon Steffanson scored a concession basket with 1.8 seconds remaining.

The game also ended with Artesia’s Jason Kapono, a McDonald’s All-American, reduced to cheerleading on the Pioneers’ bench.

Hampered by a left ankle injury he sustained Thursday in a regional semifinal victory over Glendora, Kapono made only one of 10 shots and finished with four points and four rebounds for Artesia (32-3).

Kapono, who averaged 24 points going into the game, missed four of the first five shots he took and lacked his normal explosiveness and quickness.

Although the Monarchs knew Kapono was hurt and might not play, it didn’t affect their approach.

“Either way we were going right at them,” Scoggin said. “Typical Mater Dei.”

Mater Dei built its lead to 10 in the third quarter before Artesia rallied with Kapono on the bench.

Using its full-court press, the Pioneers pulled ahead, 48-47, after Jack Martinez, who had 21 points and six blocked shots, made one of two free throws with 4 minutes 28 seconds remaining.

Ryan Reyes (seven points) and Steffanson (nine points) also helped the Pioneers rally.

But Mater Dei answered with a alley-oop dunk by Jamal Sampson, and a pair of free throws by Mike Bayer pushed the lead to 51-48 with 2:42 remaining.

Artesia made one last push and pulled to within two, 53-51, after Martinez made one of two free throws.

Then after Bayer stepped over the inbounds line to turn it over to Artesia, Martinez scored from the post with 5.3 seconds remaining to tie it, 53-53, and send the game into overtime.

But that was it for Artesia. Scoggin hit a leaning jumper and was fouled to open the overtime, and his three-point play gave the Monarchs a 56-53 lead 17 seconds into the extra period.