Etiwanda can't keep up with Mater Dei in defeat

ANAHEIM >> The Etiwanda boys basketball team has staged a handful of fourthquarter comebacks this season.

Trying to do the same against Mater Dei was a tough challenge, one that ultimately proved unsuccessful.

Missed layups and turnovers helped contribute to the double-digit deficit the Eagles faced throughout the majority of the fourth period Saturday afternoon at Honda Center. Etiwanda cleaned things up, but the Eagles never got close enough down the stretch to put Division 1 championship game in doubt, as Mater Dei walked away with a 6653 victory and its 24th section title.

“They were ready for us. This is not the first time that coach (Gary Mcknight) and Mater Dei played Etiwanda in the finals,” Etiwanda cocoach Daniel Ryan said. “I don’t think we came out with our usual defensive intensity.”

Etiwanda (25-5) had few answers for Mater Dei senior forward Zack Davidson, who poured in a game-high 27 points for Mater Dei,13 of those coming in the fourth quarter. Davidson made 8 of 12 from the field and 11 of 13 from the line. Etiwanda ran four different defenders at Davidson during the game, but nothing really slowed him down.

“We knew he was going to be a tough player to defend,” Ryan said. “We gameplanned for that, but sometimes guys are just that good, that big and that strong... We tried a variety of looks with him, going either with muscle or length.”

Etiwanda had no problems early with shooting in the big arena, as the Eagles drained four 3-pointers during the first 10 minutes. Curtis Williams sank one with 6:48 left in the opening half to give the Eagles an 18-17 lead.

That would be the last time Etiwanda held the lead in the game.

Mater Dei (27-6) closed the opening half with a 16-7 run and led 33-25 at halftime. Freshman Brannen Martinsen scored the final five points in that run by the Monarchs. Mater Dei’s lead reached double figures in the third quarter.

Williams converted an and-1 to get Etiwanda within 49-39 with 5:@3 remaining in the game. Williams appeared to have another and-1 chance about a minute later, but the referees called Williams for a charge, wiping out the basket. The charge call was not made immediately. Two officials looked at

PHOTO BY PAUL RODRIGUEZ