Sage Hill girls basketball beats Mater Dei in CIF-SS Open Division playoffs

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NEWPORT COAST — A standing-room-only crowd filled Sage Hill’s gymnasium Wednesday to watch the top two girls basketball teams in the Orange County rankings duel in the CIF-SS playoffs.

By the end of the night, the Lightning’s faithful chanted “Our house!” as their team used a sizzling start to secure a long-sought after win.

Amalia Holguin scored 24 points, including five 3-pointers, and Eve Fowler blocked six shots to lead top-ranked Sage Hill past No. 2 Mater Dei 56-45 for first place in Pool D in the Open Division.

Kamdyn Klamberg added 11 of her 15 points in the second half for the Lightning.

Sage Hill (26-4) extended its winning steak to 21 consecutives games by beating Mater Dei (24-6) for the first time. The Lightning were 0-6 against the Monarchs since the start of the 2021-22 season.

“I’ve been here for four years so this means a lot,” Holguin said. “We were the best of OC this game and hopefully we carry it on to the next.”

“This is our house and it’s something we want to protect,” the University of Texas signee added. “I’m undefeated here. That’s just something that I want to keep going and our team has done a great job having my back and I have theirs. You see it on the court.”

Sage Hill, seeded fourth in the Open Division, will play host to 11th seed Oak Park in the quarterfinals Saturday. Oak Park was the last team to beat the Lightning.

The teams’ early-season tournament clash marked the final game for Sage Hill coach Kerwin Walters, who was replaced by interim coach Jethro Julian.

“The girls are starting to come together,” Julian said. “They’re a little fired up see how far we can take this.”

Sage Hill used a strong man defense and the shot blocking of Fowler to slow Mater Dei’s offense in the first half.

The Lightning held Mater Dei to 1 for 16 shooting from the floor and five points in the first quarter. In the second period, Sage Hill limited the Monarchs to 1 for 13 on field goals for two points.

With Holguin connecting on four of her 3-pointers, Sage Hill led 24-7 at intermission.

Holguin and Addison Uphoff opened the second half with steals for breakaway baskets as the Lightning took a 30-7 lead. Sage Hill never let Mater Dei draw closer than 10 points in the second half.

“Our defense was really great tonight,” said Fowler, a 6-foot-4 sophomore who had seven points and 10 rebounds. “It’s a great rivalry game that brought the energy.”

Mater Dei shot better in the second half but finished 22 percent from the floor (12 of 54).

Freshman Legend Tyler provided a spark with 11 points of the bench. Harmony Golightly scored all 18 of her points, including four 3-pointers, in the second half for the Monarchs, who lost forwards Noelle Mulvanny and Marissa Bishop to injuries.

“We won the second half, on the positive,” said Mater Dei coach Jody Wynn, whose team plays at Sierra Canyon in the quarterfinals. “Kids didn’t quit and Legend led us in her energy and effort, and it was contagious.”

“It hurts to lose,” the coach added, “but it should hurt it you are competitor. Let it fuel you to get better.”