PHOTOS: Mater Dei stages big second half rally and earns trip to CIF Division 1 finals

Mater Dei’s Brannon Martinsen goes up for a layup as Mira Costa’s Jacob de Armas looks on during the opening half of Friday night’s semifinal. (Photos: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone). 

Mater Dei High School’s boys basketball team has had 23 CIF titles and 11 state titles in its history.

Next Saturday night, the Monarchs will get a chance to bring home another.

Coach Gary McKnight’s team rallied from a 34-17 halftime to deficit to defeat Mira Costa 60-54 in the Division 1 semifinals at Meruelo Athletic Center Friday night.

To see the slide show, click on the first photo:

Mater Dei's Owen Verna attempts a shot from the perimeter during the opening quarter of Friday night's CIF Division I semifinal at the Meruelo Athletic Center.

Mater Dei's Zack Davidson focuses for a free throw shot in the opening quarter of Friday night's game against Mira Costa.

Mira Costa's Will Householter dribbles inside the paint as Mater Dei's Brady Karich defends.

Mira Costa players gather around each other as the Mustangs' starting line-up is introduced.

Mater Dei's Scotty Belnap warms up prior to Friday's CIF playoff matchup against Mira Costa.

Mira Costa's Eneasi Piuleini picks up the rebound as Mater Dei's Luke Barnett attempts to poke the ball out of his control.

Mater Dei's Brannon Martinsen gets ready to release a jumpshot as Mira Costa's Will Householter is in pursuit.

Mater Dei's Zack Davidson attempts a layup as two Mira Costa players disrupt his effort.

Mater Dei player Nolan Jacobsen greets teammate Owen Verna (3) as the Monarch starting line-up is introduced.

Mater Dei's Zack Davidson goes up for a lay up as three Mira Costa players try to keep him from scoring.

Mater Dei's Owen Verna pushes the ball up the court as Mira Costa's Dylan Black covers during the second quarter of Friday night's CIF Division I semifinal game.

Mater Dei head coach Gary McKnight encourages his players during the first half of Friday night's CIF Division I semifinals against Mira Costa.

Mira Costa's top scorer Nick Lundy looks on after putting up a layup for the Mustangs.

Mater Dei's Luke Barnett reacts after the Monarchs' sluggish start during Friday night's CIF Division I semifinals.

Mater Dei's head coach Gary McKnight and players react during the first half of Friday night's CIF Division I semifinals.

Mira Costa's Nick Lundy looks for an open teammate during Friday night's CIF Division I semifinals at the Meruelo Athletic Center.

Mater Dei's Brady Karich pushes the ball up the court for the Monarchs on Friday at the Meruelo Athletic Center.

Mira Costa's Nick Lundy passes the ball as Mater Dei's Zack Davidson glances.

Mira Costa's head coach Neal Perlmutter encourages his Mustangs' players during Friday night's CIF Division I semifinal at the Meruelo Athletic Center.

Mira Costa's guard Nick Lundy comes up with a rebound for the Mustangs.

Mater Dei will face Etiwanda next Saturday night in the Division 1 finals at the Honda Center. Etiwanda defeated Canyon 67-57 in the other semifinal.

Mater Dei (26-6) led in the early going 3-2, before Mira Costa (27-3) went on an 8-0 run to take control in the first half. But McKnight’s team adjusted in the second half for the win.

Brannon Martinsen led Mater Dei with 17 points (nine in the second half) . Zack Davidson had 15 points (10 in the second half), Luke Barnett 11 points and Owen Verna 10 points for the Monarchs.

Meanwhile, Nick Lundy led the Mira Costa Mustangs, scoring 18 of his total 26 points in the first half.

Fernando M. Donado contributed to this story.