Mater Dei Outlasts Westchester

The Anaheim Convention Center was the place to be Saturday night.

With only a week left in the regular season and many of the Southland’s top basketball teams turning their attention to the playoffs, the Nike Extravaganza provided an ideal setup for the region’s upper echelon to face a quality opponent and scout those expected to stand in the way of a state championship.

“We’re scouting four teams today,” said Santa Ana Mater Dei Coach Gary McKnight, who was referring to Southern Section Division II-AA foes Compton Dominguez, Villa Park and Mission Viejo Capistrano Valley, and league rival Servite, who also played in the event. “Our division is so tough it’s ridiculous.”

The Monarchs, ranked No. 4 in the Southland by The Times, and No. 5 Westchester gave spectators, including UCLA Coach Ben Howland and Arizona Coach Lute Olson, more than they bargained for in the featured game, playing two overtimes before Mater Dei finalized a 91-89 victory.

Taylor King scored 38 points, one short of his career high, and Kamyron Brown scored eight of his 16 points in the second four-minute overtime to lead the Monarchs (23-2).

“We had three other players on the court, but sometimes the two most valuable players have to take over,” Brown said. “And that’s what we did.”

Westchester, the defending Division I state champion, showed its resilience against the Monarchs, rallying from a nine-point deficit at the end of the third quarter to twice take the lead in the fourth. Ahmaad Cook’s three-pointer gave Westchester a 67-65 lead with 1:27 remaining in regulation. After Brown made two free throws with 49 seconds left to tie the score, Westchester forward Brett Goodwell missed two free throws with 37.8 seconds left, and the game went into overtime.

Isaiah Jenkins scored 24 points to lead five Westchester players in double figures.

-- Dan Arritt

Girls’ Water Polo

Santa Ana Foothill, winners of five Southern Section girls’ water polo titles in the last six years, showed that it is again the team to beat, routing Corona del Mar, 8-2, in the championship game of the Irvine/Southern California Championships on Saturday at Woollett Aquatics Center in Irvine.

Noel Umphrey scored three times from long range, Kelsey Holshouser scored twice from medium range and Grace Reynolds had two goals from the two-meter position as the Knights (21-3) kept Corona del Mar (21-3) off balance.

Foothill, ranked No. 2 in the Division I coaches’ poll, had lost twice this season to Corona del Mar, ranked No. 1 in Division II and considered the top team in the state before Saturday, but got a solid defensive effort, led by goalie Amber Oland and two-meter defender Jessica Kutcher.

It is the fourth Southern California Championship title for Foothill in the last six years. The Knights have played in four consecutive championship games at the prestigious tournament, which this year featured the top nine teams in Division I as well as the top-ranked teams in Divisions I, II, IV and V.

“The kids are finally playing consistent,” Foothill Coach Dave Mikesell said. “That’s important because we’re coming down to the end of the season and getting ready for the playoffs.”

A key for Foothill was holding Camille Hewko, who plays the two-meter position, scoreless.

-- Peter Yoon