Joens’ Trip to the Finals Special Despite Outcome

Calvary Chapel’s Cathy Joens won a girls’ basketball state title with Woodbridge High as a freshman when she was one of the first players off the bench.

It didn’t go nearly so well Saturday in Calvary Chapel’s 48-43 loss to Atherton Sacred Heart in the Division IV state final.

However, Joens said this year’s trip was more special.

“Now it’s a bigger deal,” she said. “As a freshman, we expected to go because of the players on the team.”

That Woodbridge team, ranked No. 1 in the state, featured Melanie Pearson (UCLA) and Erin Stovall (Virginia).

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Brea Olinda guard Kyle Dodd, a Times Orange County first-team selection, has committed to play basketball at Arizona State, Wildcat Coach Bob Terry said.

The 6-foot Dodd averaged 17.9 points and 9.2 assists a game.

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In assessing Mater Dei’s 50-45 loss to Oakland Fremont in the state Division I boys’ basketball championship game Saturday, Coach Gary McKnight was blunt.

“We only made 11 of 23 free throws--that’s our fault,” McKnight said. “To get outrebounded, 20-14, on the offensive boards like that, that’s our fault.”

Mater Dei shot 67.6% from the free-throw line during the season, and averaged 11.9 offensive rebounds to its opponents’ 9.5.

The Monarchs also shot 35.9% from the three-point arc during the season, but made only one of 10 shots against the Tigers.

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Santa Ana seniors Jose Najera (112 pounds), Jose Leon (119 pounds) and Steve Avalos (145) will compete in the national high school wrestling championships in Pittsburgh, Thursday through Saturday, according to Coach Scott Glabb. Santa Ana’s Tony Perez won the 103-pound title last year in Pittsburgh.

“Perez set the goal for them to shoot for,” Glabb said. “They’ve been training consistently since the state meet.”

Aliso Niguel’s Steve Trevino (112) and Brethren Christian’s Joe Garcia (125) also qualified.

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St. Margaret’s junior Alex Huff won Academy League boys’ basketball player of the year honors, but he has long been known off the court as an age-group chess champion.

Huff, who averaged 23.6 points, 13.7 rebounds and seven assists a game, was champion at the recent California State High School Championship and has been selected to participate on the USA National Scholastic Chess Team, which will compete against the Canadian scholastic team in July.

Last summer, Huff finished second at the National Scholastic Chess Championships.

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Staff writers Dave McKibben and Paul McLeod contributed to this report.

Baseball, Softball Statistics to Begin

Prep Extra will include weekly county baseball and softball statistical leaders beginning Tuesday, March 30, and running through the conclusion of the Southern Section playoffs.

All statistics are supplied by coaches, who can report them by calling (714) 966-5867 or faxing (714) 966-5663 by Monday noon.