Mater Dei girls basketball team gets big lift with return of Devyn Kiernan in win against Bishop Montgomery in Southern California Regional quarterfinals in Open Division state playoffs; Sierra Canyon also advances

Mater Dei welcomed the return Wednesday night of Southern Utah-bound senior Devyn Kiernan to the lineup, helping the third-seeded Monarchs cruise to a 76-40 victory against No. 6 Bishop Montgomery in the opening round of the Southern California Regional in the Open Division girls basketball state playoffs.

Kiernan was sidelined for the second half Feb. 19 in a CIF-Southern Section Open Division pool-play game against Fairmont Prep after being struck in the face and having her head hit the court, resulting in her also missing a Feb. 22 matchup at Etiwanda.

Kiernan contributed nine points and five assists Wednesday for Mater Dei (29-3), which had a 10-point advantage following the opening quarter and built a 42-21 halftime lead against the Knights (22-6).

Mater Dei girls basketball team | Photo courtesy of Mater Dei

Addie Deal, a McDonald’s All-American and Iowa signee, had 18 of her game-high 27 points in the first half for the Monarchs. Deal finished with seven rebounds and six assists for Mater Dei, which extended its lead to 57-27 entering the fourth quarter.

Stella Hoss added nine points and four rebounds, with Grand Canyon commit Amaya Williams producing eight points, five rebounds and three steals for Mater Dei, which also secured an 83-49 victory Dec. 28 in the semifinals of the Platinum Division at the West Coast Jamboree.

The Monarchs play Saturday at second-seeded Etiwanda (25-5), the two-time Open Division state champions.

Etiwanda earned a 63-60 victory against Mater Dei in their CIF-Southern Section Open Division pool-play showdown.

The Monarchs have suffered four consecutive losses against Etiwanda, with Mater Dei’s last victory over the Eagles coming in the 2021 CIF-Southern Section Open Division playoffs.

Sierra Canyon 71, Mission Hills 26: In another rematch from the regular season, the fourth-seeded Trailblazers (28-2) built a 40-15 halftime advantage against No. 5 Mission Hills (23-9) in the opening round of the Southern California Regional in the Open Division girls basketball state playoffs.

Sierra Canyon girls basketball team | Photo courtesy of Sierra Canyon

Emilia Krstevski had 28 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and three blocked shots for Sierra Canyon, which also secured an 84-46 victory Jan. 4 against Mission Hills at the Kiernan Klassic at Mater Dei.

Jerzy Robinson added 13 points and 10 rebounds Wednesday for the Trailblazers, who also received six points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists from Leia Edwards.

Sierra Canyon plays Saturday at top-seeded Ontario Christian (29-1), the CIF-Southern Section Open Division champion, in the regional semifinals.

Ontario Christian produced a 62-52 victory Feb. 22 against the Trailblazers in an Open Division pool-play showdown.

Sierra Canyon earned a 76-69 win against the Knights in last year’s Open Division regional semifinals.