Boys’ basketball: Mater Dei holds on for 63-60 win over Westchester

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Clutch free throws in the fourth quarter by Elijah Brown and Mario Soto helped Santa Ana Mater Dei hold off Westchester, 63-60, in the final game of the Nike Extravaganza on Saturday night.

Stanley Johnson had 21 points and 16 rebounds for Mater Dei. Brown had 19 points.

Westchester received 23 points from Matthew Grant and Nick Hamilton sparked a fourth-quarter surge with 12 points and 14 rebounds.

Westchester has played close the three top teams in the Southern Section _ Mater Dei, Long Beach Poly and Bishop Montgomery _ but lost to each.

‘I’m tired of learning experiences,’ Coach Ed Azzam said. ‘We played well. We just have to learn to play a little bit better.’

Asked who is the best team of the three, Azzam said he’d choose unbeaten Bishop Montgomery.

‘They’re strong at every position, plus have depth,’ he said.

Azzam praised Grant. ‘He’s been our best and most consistent player all year,’ he said.

-- Eric Sondheimer