SANTA ANA – When you’re as talented as Mater Dei’s girls basketball team is, challenges are few and far between.
The Monarchs, ranked No. 1 in the nation by MaxPreps.com, were nervous prior to their game with undefeated North Torrance on Thursday night.
They need not have worried, as the Monarchs blew out the Saxons, 74-31, in a nonleague game at Mater Dei High.
Scoring the first 15 points of the game served as the perfect remedy to calm the nerves. The strong start was fueled by the Monarchs’ full-court press. Mater Dei forced eight turnovers in the first quarter as it built a 26-6 lead.
“We were really nervous coming into the game because North Torrance was undefeated coming in,” Monarchs coach Kevin Kiernan said. “We just got off to a really great start.”
Katie Lou Samuelson scored 27 points to go with seven rebounds and six steals. Andee Velasco added 18 points, four 3-pointers and six assists to lead the Monarchs (13-1).
Mater Dei has won 10 straight since its only loss, to Chaminade of West Hills, 60-59, in the Palisades Beach Invitational.
The size of Ally Rosenblum (nine points) and Emma Torbert (six points) in the post, along with the length of Samuelson up front, disrupted the Saxons’ offense. North Torrance (12-1) committed 25 turnovers, which included 15 steals by the Monarchs.
Kiernan said the team’s coaching staff made it a priority to establish team chemistry coming into this season.
Samuelson, who has committed to Connecticut, says that the team’s greatest test will come from within as it chases an eighth straight Trinity League title.
“Going into league, we need to focus on ourselves,” she said. “We can’t let up.”
“I think this year we’re a lot younger than normal,” she added. “We’ve all had to come together real fast. I think our chemistry is better than it’s ever been while I’ve been at Mater Dei.”
