FULLERTON – Windward was just grateful to be back on the basketball court competing in a game for the first time in three weeks at the inaugural Royals MLK Showcase at Rosary Academy, after having multiple contests postponed as a result of the recent Southern California wildfires.
The biggest challenge for the Wildcats was the Mater Dei lineup they faced Monday being an even more experienced and cohesive version of the team Windward played Dec. 30 in the Platinum Division final at the West Coast Jamboree.
The Monarchs regrouped after making only 1 of 14 3-point field goals attempts in the first half, resulting in a four-point lead at the break, by hitting 5 of 11 shots from behind the arc during the final 16 minutes – including a pair of 3-pointers during a run of 14 unanswered points in the fourth – to produce a 61-39 victory.
Kaeli Wynn had a game-high 20 points, including four 3-pointers, in addition to nine rebounds and five assists for Mater Dei (20-2), which extended its winning streak to nine in a row, including a 65-49 victory against Windward (8-7) to capture the West Coast Jamboree Platinum Division crown at Dublin High.
Wynn scored 18 points in the tournament final for the Monarchs, who had played four games since their previous matchup against Windward.
Addie Deal, an Iowa commit, added 13 points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals for Mater Dei, following a 20-point effort in the first meeting with the Wildcats.
From left, Devyn Kiernan, Kaeli Wynn, Stella Hoss, Amaya Williams and Addie Deal of Mater Dei, with Samari Bankhead, Charis Rainey, Amel Cook and Olivia Lagao from Windward | Photo courtesy of Mater Dei
Perhaps the most significant contributions Monday for the Monarchs came from UC Irvine-bound forward Nohe’Alani Stores, with the Milpitas High transfer adding 13 points and four rebounds after being held scoreless in the previous showdown.
Samari Bankhead, a Central Florida commit, and Olivia Lagao both scored 11 points apiece for Windward, which trailed 23-19 at halftime, despite making only 1 of 9 3-point field goal attempts.
Lagao’s first 3-pointer of the third quarter cut the deficit to 29-26 with 4:15 remaining, but Mater Dei responded by scoring 10 of the next 11 points, including a pair of 3-point field goals from Wynn.
Although Lagao hit another 3-point shot with 1:30 left in the third, Windward still trailed 40-31 entering the fourth.
The Monarchs maintained a 47-37 advantage with five minutes remaining, before producing 14 consecutive points during a stretch of 2:15, with Stores leading the way during the Mater Dei run with six points.
Stella Hoss, a sophomore who capped the impressive surge with a 3-pointer and finished with seven points, gave the Monarchs their biggest lead with a 61-37 advantage with 2:45 left.
Following a layup by Bankhead with 5:17 remaining, Windward didn’t make a field goal the rest of the way and had only two free throws from freshman Amel Cook to briefly halt Mater Dei’s momentum.
Cook scored seven points and Charis Rainey contributed six points for the Wildcats, who still face the challenge of completing all 10 Gold Coast League games in the final 16 days of the regular season.
In addition to four remaining Trinity League contests, Mater Dei plays host Friday to Bishop Gorman from Las Vegas as part of the Nike Extravaganza XXX at the Meruelo Athletic Center, before another showcase event Saturday against Rancho Christian.
Corona Centennial 70, Lakewood St. Joseph 61: The Huskies (11-8) scored 12 unanswered points in a span of 4:30 to open the fourth quarter and never relinquished control in the final game of the Royals MLK Showcase at Rosary Academy.
Cydnee Bryant and Tierra Taylor both produced 19 points apiece for Corona Centennial, which held a 50-49 advantage entering the fourth.
Ahjoy Turner added 16 points, including a pair of 3-pointers in the final quarter, with Calise Gibson contributing 10 points for the Huskies, including a three-point play with 1:13 remaining to extend the Corona Centennial lead to 68-54.
Alana White had a game-high 25 points, with fellow junior Bella Harmon scoring 22 points – 17 in the second half – for the Jesters (18-3), who trailed 35-27 at the break.