Mater Dei's Shot At Redemption Over High-Powered Chino Hills

Forget the past. Erase the scoreboard. Toss it up again. See what happens. These might seem like the necessary steps to recovery, but it is likely easier said than done.

For No. 10 Mater Dei, the sour taste remains. It might be even more bitter now. However, a shot at complete redemption starts Friday night in California’s Southern Section Open Division semifinals against No. 9 Chino Hills.

The rematch is on.

A year ago, on the same Galen Center floor at USC, Chino Hills and its new-age style completely ran Mater Dei off the floor, 102-54. And earlier this season, the Huskies beat the Monarchs again at the Tarkanian Classic. It is Mater Dei's only loss this season.

It has a chance to be different this time around, though. In many ways, this is a completely different Mater Dei team.

While junior guard Spencer Freedman still runs the show with Justin Sueing and Michael Wang leading a strong supporting cast, the Monarchs have something new to offer now. They have size and a shot-blocking presence in 7-footer Bol Bol, who has averaged nearly 18 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks since becoming eligible in January.



This is more than just a plot twist. This is a difference-maker. After all, inside was the one area Chino Hills was able to exploit in the first matchup, shooting 72 percent in the paint.

By now, it’s no secret Chino Hills wants to score and can on anyone, in any way imaginable. It is a diverse attack.

The shots by quarter indicate the Huskies can wear teams down and make a push late, too, as they did in their 84-73 win in December, taking 25 shots in the fourth quarter alone.

It’s also no secret, however, that Chino Hills' LiAngelo and LaMelo Ball are high-volume scorers. They shoot. They shoot again. They shoot some more -- early and often. 

LiAngelo had 34 points in the blowout win against Mater Dei last season and 25 more in the first meeting this season. He’s dropped at least 49 points twice this month and even registered a 72-point outing earlier in the year. And, of course, LaMelo had his infamous 92-point display recently.

Defending this team can be a nightmare, but with Bol, Mater Dei has a chance to pressure the two brothers into tougher shots while relying on the big man to corral some rebounds.

That, too, is easier said than done. This won’t be a walk in the park. There is a chance at redemption, though, and to erase some recent bad memories before facing the winner of No. 2 Sierra Canyon and No. 15 Bishop Montgomery in the bracket finals.

(Highlights courtesy of Krossover)