Etiwanda rolls past Mater Dei in regional semifinals

Saturday was a significant girls basketball game for both coaches.

For Etiwanda’s Stan Delus, it was one step closer to becoming a legend. For Mater Dei’s Kevin Kiernan, it was the end of a legendary era.

Etiwanda seized control for good late in the second quarter and defeated Mater Dei 76-58 in a CIF State Open Division regional semifinal game at Etiwanda High School.

The top-seeded Eagles (30-3) will host No. 2-seeded Sierra Canyon in the regional final Tuesday night. It is a rematch of the CIF Southern Section championship game, which Etiwanda won 65-44.

The game not only ended the season for fourth-seeded Mater Dei (25-8), but it was the last game for Kiernan, who previously announced his retirement from coaching effective at the end of the season. Kiernan won his state-record 900th career game Wednesday in the first round of state playoffs against Mission Hills.

“I am humbled,” Delus said of taking his program to its fourth consecutive regional final. “We lost to Lynwood (three years ago) and ever since then we’ve been pushing an amazing run of basketball with different teams.

“He (Kiernan) is pretty special to me. He took care of one of my (trainee) kids 13 years ago. I brought her to him. He took care of her. We’ve had a good relationship since then. I’ve always admired him. I told him, ‘Thank you for what you’ve done for the girls game as I thank you for the countless hours of talks we’ve had over the last 20 years.’ ”

Although the Eagles never trailed in the game’s final 29 minutes, it was only a five-point lead until a 10-2 run to close the first half to give Etiwanda a 44-31 halftime lead. The Eagles never led by fewer than 13 points in the second half.

Senior Kennedy Smith led Etiwanda with 17 points and six rebounds, while junior Grace Knox added 16 points and 13 rebounds. Aliyahna “Puff” Morris