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Mater Dei’s girls basketball team is excited to face another challenge this week as it travels to Mesa, Ariz., for the Nike Tournament of Champions.
The Monarchs (7-0) are in the Vincent Cannizzaro Division — the top grouping for national federation high school teams — and will face Bartlett of Tennessee (5-4) on Thursday.
If Mater Dei wins, it plays the winner of nationally-ranked Long Island Lutheran of New York and Fairmont Prep in the quarterfinals Friday.
The semifinals and finals are scheduled for Saturday and Monday.
“We are so excited for the opportunity to compete against the best teams in the nation,” Mater Dei coach Jody Wynn said. “The energy and team culture has been fantastic from this very young group of girls who work hard to get better each and every day.”
Ranked No. 1 in Orange County, Mater Dei is off to a strong start despite playing without All-County forward Kaeli Wynn. The senior recently underwent surgery for a dislocated kneecap and will miss the season.
Jody Wynn said her daughter’s surgery “went well.” The coach added that the rehabilitation process will be long.
“But she is motivated and focused to tackle it,” Jody Wynn said of her daughter, who signed with South Carolina.
In Kaeli Wynn’s absence, Mater Dei’s offense has been led by guard Harmony Golightly. The 5-foot-7 junior is averaging 20.7 points and has scored at least 20 points in four consecutive games.
The offense also has received contributions from junior forward Stella Hoss and UC San Diego-bound senior Noelle Mulvanny.
Hoss had 15 points and eight rebounds in a 73-45 triumph against San Clemente on Saturday. Mulvanny tallied 10 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in a recent win against Oak Park.
Freshman guard Legend Tyler has stepped up as a rebounder, Jody Wynn said. She had eight rebounds against San Clemente.
SHORT SHOTS
Beckman and Troy will join King/Drew and Mira Costa in the same pool in the top division of the Marina tournament on Dec. 26-30. …
Marina senior guard Rylee Bradley recently notched her 2,000th career point. …
Pacifica Christian junior Vivian Villagrana recorded her 1,000th career point in a 42-40 win against Chaparral last week. …
St. Margaret’s won the top division of the Pacifica tournament. Freshman Jayden Witten earned tournament MVP. …
Crean Lutheran placed third in the KSA Oahu Classic in Hawaii.