PHOTOS: Mater Dei storms past Etiwanda to capture Division 1 title at Honda Center

Mater Dei players and coaches celebrate after capturing the CIF Division 1 title Saturday. (Photos: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

While a downpour filled the Southern California skies outside Saturday afternoon, inside the Honda Center Mater Dei created its own storm as the Monarchs used an explosive inside game and an aggressive defense to defeat Etiwanda 66-53 to win the CIF Division 1 championship.

Mater Dei senior forward Zack Davidson scored 27 points and had 11 rebounds to lead the Monarchs.

“There’s no feeling like it; I’ve waited for four years to win a title; winning is cool,” said Davidson, who made 8 of 12 shots and 11 of 13 free throws, including 7 of 8 in the fourth quarter.

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Mater Dei coach Gary McKnight won his 24^th CIF title in his 41^st year as the Monarchs coach.

McKnight was gracious in the post-game press conference.

“It’s been a long season from London to the Honda Center and these guys have worked hard and I’m so proud of them,” said McKnight, who has now won a CIF title in five decades. “I know we still have the state tournament, but it’s all about winning a CIF title. It’s been a heck of a season and it’s a dream to win a CIF title.”

Leading 33-25 at halftime, Mater Dei’s defense, led by Owen Verna and Brady Karich, picked up the pace in the third-quarter forcing five turnovers and not allowing Etiwanda to score on back-to-back possessions. Verna scored six points in the quarter and Davidson added four points as the Monarchs extended their lead to 45-34 after three periods. Verna and Karich also combined to make four of the Monarchs seven steals in the game.

The Eagles tried to make a run in the final quarter and cut the lead to 60-53 on a Curtis Williams’ 3-pointer with 1:08 to play, but could not draw any closer.  Mater Dei secured the victory at the free throw line as the Monarchs made 15 of 18 free throws in the final three-minutes of the game.

“A year ago I was manifesting about a moment like this,” said Mater Dei freshman forward Brannon Martinsen, who scored nine points and had five rebounds. “I was waiting to play for coach McKnight.”

Martinsen’s freshman teammate, Luke Barnett was just as pleased.

“You never know if you’ll ever get back here, so it’s good to win a CIF title it our freshman year and hope we’ll get back,” said Barnett, who scored 12 points and had three steals. 

The No. 2 seeded Monarchs have won nine consecutive games and 13 of their last 14 games while snapping the top-seeded Etiwanda’s 13-game winning streak. Mater Dei finished in second-place in the Trinity League behind St. John Bosco this season and captured its first CIF title since 2018 (the Monaches reached the finals in 2020 but lost to Sierra Vista).  

“They’re big and long and they cut down our passing lanes and protected the basket; give them a lot of credit,” said Etiwanda co-coach Daniel Ryan. “They handled our press and we didn’t hit key shots; that tells you how good Mater Dei is and they hit their free throws down the stretch.”

The Monarchs forced 15 turnovers and shot 46 percent in the game, despite making only 2 of 12 3-pointers. Williams led Etiwanda with 17 points and seven rebounds and Jimmy Baker added 16 points for the Eagles (25-5), champions of the Baseline League. Etiwanda last played in the finals in 2018 and last won a CIF title in 2013.

Mater Dei led 14-12 after the first-quarter.

Davidson, Barnett and Martinsen combined to score 14 points in the second-quarter as the Monarchs built a 33-25 halftime lead. Martinsen, a 6-8 freshman scored a basket, sank a free throw and threw down a thundering dunk in the final minute of the half to spark Mater Dei. 

Davidson led the Monarchs with 10 points and four rebounds in the first-half as Mater Dei shot 57 percent (12-21) and outscored Etiwanda 16-10 in the paint. Baker led the Eagles with nine points in the first-half. Etiwanda shot 38 percent (10-26) in the first-half. 

To reach the finals, Mater Dei defeated Long Beach Poly, Crean Lutheran, Heritage Christian and Mira Costa in the playoffs while Etiwanda beat Oak Park, St. Paul and Canyon.  

—Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone