BOYS’ I-A DIVISION : Mater Dei Crushes Huntington Beach

As expected, the Mater Dei High boys’ basketball team won another Southern Section championship.

The Monarchs used their superior depth, talent, rebounding strength and defensive skills in dismantling Huntington Beach, 63-41, in the Division I-A game Saturday night before 7,034 at the Sports Arena.

It was Mater Dei’s seventh title in 11 seasons.

“They’re all great, but I’m especially proud of this team because I put a lot of pressure on them,” Coach Gary McKnight said. “They had to live up to a lot of expectations.”

Miles Simon led Mater Dei with 19 points.

It was the third time Mater Dei (31-1) has defeated Huntington Beach, and each time the Monarchs made it look easy.

Saturday, Mater Dei trailed only at 4-2 and then went on a 13-0 run. Huntington Beach (28-4) threatened briefly, but Mater Dei put the game away with a 21-7 advantage in the fourth quarter.

“They’re just too good,” Huntington Beach Coach Roy Miller said. “We’ve been shooting 50% as a team all season, but we didn’t come close to that tonight.”

Huntington Beach made only 15 of 44 shots.

Guard Tommy Walden, who had played so well in victories over Moreno Valley Valley View and Los Angeles Loyola, missed all eight of his shots.

Forward Matt Ambrose, who was averaging 12.6 points per game, finished with four points.

“This is my best defensive team by far,” McKnight said. “I was really concerned about this game. I have all the respect in the world for Roy and his team. They have five really good players.”

There was some consolation for Huntington Beach. Both teams are guaranteed berths in the Southern California Regionals that begin Tuesday.

“There is life after tonight,” Miller said. “That’s the positive that we have to cling to. We’ll get a second chance in the regionals, and hopefully, we’ll come back.”