Mater Dei wins third straight title

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis scored 16 points and Jessica Duarte added 12 as Santa Ana Mater Dei won its third consecutive Southern Section championship Friday night with a 63-54 victory over Brea Olinda in the girls’ Division 1AA final at the Anaheim Convention Center. The third-seeded Monarchs (29-1) led by as many 15 points early in the second half.

“In this day and age, as much basketball as these girls play, it’s hard to peak at the right time, but we’re playing our best basketball right now,” Mater Dei Coach Kevin Kiernan said.

Alexis Perry scored 15 points for Brea Olinda (29-1) in a showdown between teams ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the nation by ESPN.

Rialto 55, Ventura Buena 53: Janae’ Sharpe made a five-foot jumper in the lane at the buzzer to win the girls’ Division 2AA final for the top-seeded Knights (30-3), who outscored Buena, 24-18, in the fourth quarter. Sharpe played all 32 minutes and had 23 points, five assists and four steals.

Taylor McGuire had 21 points for the second-seeded Bulldogs (24-7).

Gardena Serra 66, Santa Maria St. Joseph 58: Sierra Thompson led the Cavaliers with 28 points, five steals and two assists and was nine for nine from the free throw line in the Division 3AA final. Rejane Verin added 12 points and 10 rebounds for second-seeded Serra (27-5).

Tatiana Dunlap had 14 points for top-seeded St. Joseph (24-6).

Long Beach St. Anthony 53, Westlake Village Oaks Christian 44: Jourdan Cooper had 11 points and 14 rebounds and Raquel Johnson added 11 points and 11 rebounds for the second-seeded Saints (19-8) in the Division 4A final. Brianna Barrett had 13 points for the top-seeded Lions (24-8).