Mater Dei stays busy and successful

It was a slow start, by national No. 1 standards, but Mater Dei eventually pulled away and cruised to a 79-50 victory over Squalicum of Bellingham, Wash., on Tuesday in the championship game of the Orange Holiday Classic at Chapman University.

The Monarchs, struggling somewhat to a six-point lead at the end of the first quarter, warmed up in the second to take a 39-27 advantage into halftime, then had a 61-42 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Andy Brown led Mater Dei with 23 points. Brown, a 6-foot-8 senior who has signed with Stanford, was 9 for 10 from the field.

Tournament co-most valuable players Travis and David Wear, 6-10 twins going to North Carolina, scored 21 and 10 points, respectively, and junior UCLA commit Tyler Lamb added 11.

Squalicum, playing only its sixth game, was led by Patrick Vouet's 13 points. The Storm is 5-1.

Last Tuesday, Mater Dei was playing in the championship game of the City of Palms Classic in Florida, a tournament that has been called the most challenging high school basketball tournament in years.

The Monarchs defeated St. Patrick's of Elizabeth, N.J., in the championship game. They flew home Christmas Eve, then started playing in the Orange Holiday Classic two days later.

Mater Dei coach Gary McKnight was pleased with how the Monarchs performed in their four victories at Chapman.

"For us to come back here and be very proficient, is very good," McKnight said.

Mater Dei next plays Saturday at 8 p.m. against Gahr of Cerritos in the Pangos Dream Classic at Long Beach City College.

Also in the Orange Holiday Classic:

Diamond Ranch of Pomona 56, Ocean View 54: The Seahawks (10-6) rallied from a 15-point first-quarter deficit, took a three-point lead in the fourth quarter, but a jumpshot by the Panthers' Garrett Johnson with three seconds remaining was the difference in the third-place game. Mason Jones led Ocean View with 27 points.

Canyon 49, Foothill 42: Dan Gallucio's 23 points paced the Comanches (9-6) against the Knights (7-6) in the fifth-place game.

La Habra 63, White Rock of British Columbia 54: Jordan Sachs led the victorious Highlanders with 25 points in the ninth-place game.

In the KSA Tournament in Orlando, Fla:

No. 2 Los Alamitos 68, Albany Academy of New York 49: The Griffins won the championship game as tournament most valuable player James Walker scored 18 points and Jacob Cheek added 17.

Marina 73, Marana of Arizona 60: Brendan Holmes scored 23 points for the Vikings (11-3).

In the Max Preps Holiday Classic:

No. 7 El Toro 67, Mesa of Arizona 58: Donovan Jackson's 20 points led the Chargers (11-4).

In the Desert Heat Classic:

Orange Lutheran 85, No. 6 Capistrano Valley 70: James Douglas scored 28 points, including four 3-pointers, as the Lancers (13-3) beat the Cougars in the championship game.

Contact the writer: sfryer@ocregister.com