Mater Dei Defense Does Job in Victory Over Capistrano Valley

IRVINE â€”  Mater Dei’s methodical run toward the South Coast League championship continued on its merry way Saturday.

The Monarchs were neither pretty nor sharp, just effective, in a 51-31 victory over Capistrano Valley at the Bren Center. The victory gave Mater Dei (23-1, 5-0), the top-ranked team in Orange County, a two-game lead in the league race.

The Cougars (14-7, 3-2) did their best to set the tempo. And Capistrano Valley controlled the clock by working its offense, but it only delayed the inevitable. The Monarchs bided their time and capitalized on too many mistakes and missed shots.

“You have to play well and shoot 50% against them or it’s not going to happen,� Cougar Coach Mark Thornton said.

The Cougars made 12 of 49 shots and turned the ball over 16 times. They trailed, 25-15, at halftime, then were overwhelmed in the third quarter.

By the time the Mater Dei defense was finished, the Monarchs led, 39-19, and had secured their 44th consecutive league victory. That ties the Monarchs with Glendora for seventh in Southern Section history.

“Our defense kept us in the game,� Coach Gary McKnight said. “I think Mark was trying to keep it close, but our intensity took them out of their offense.�

Not even a new face could help the Cougars. Greg Foster, playing his first game since transferring from Estancia last week, hit three consecutive shots in the second quarter, cutting the lead to 17-10.

But Mike Waugh, the Monarchs’ defensive specialist, was switched to Foster, who had trouble getting the ball from then on. Foster got free for only four shots after that and missed them all.

The Monarchs needed the defensive effort, as their offensive game was lacking. They were playing their third game without sophomore standout Schea Cotton (pulled hamstring).

Capistrano Valley managed to keep the ball from 6-foot-8 center Shaun Jackson, who scored 13 points. But the Cougars made the mistake of leaving guard Clay McKnight open too many times. McKnight made nine of 13 shots, including four three-pointers, and finished with 22 points.

“We didn’t do a good job of containing Clay,� Thornton said. “You can’t let a shooter like him get open.�

McKnight made them pay. He was four for four in the third quarter. He started the half with a steal and a layup and scored seven consecutive points to give the Monarchs a 32-17 lead.

It was all the offense the Monarchs seemed to need.