First place in the Mesa League boys basketball standings was up for grabs Wednesday when the seventh-ranked Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders invaded the ninth-ranked Montgomery Aztecs’ gym.
Both teams entered the high profile Jan. 24 contest with identical 5-0 league records.
The Crusaders came out of the fray 6-0 after downing the host team 70-56.
“It was a good game,” noted Mater Dei Catholic head coach Kenny Caesar, whose team improved to 17-6 overall. “Both teams were 5-0 in league going into it. We were both ranked top 10 in the county. I think our size, athleticism and depth played a big part in winning that game.
“(Montgomery) coach Ed Martin does an outstanding job with his team. They play very hard the entire game and they stay together, which is a testament to his leadership.”
The Aztecs, riding a 10-game winning streak, dropped to 5-1 in league play, 16-4 overall, with the loss.
Mater Dei Catholic used a strong start to set the tone in Wednesday’s game. The Crusaders out-scored the Aztecs 14-8 in the first quarter and 15-6 in the second quarter to build a 29-14 halftime lead.
The teams opened up their offensive games in the second half, with Montgomery out-scoring Mater Dei Catholic 42-41 in the final two quarters.
The Crusaders poured in 20 points in the third quarter to 16 for the Aztecs to expand their lead to 49-30.
Montgomery captured a 26-21 scoring edge in the final quarter to come up 14 points short.
MDCHS senior Trey Anderson led all scorers in the game with 26 points while Montgomery senior Timothy Crawford dropped in 23 points to lead his team.
Six players put their name on the score sheet for the victorious Crusaders.
Beon Riley had 16 points while Joshua Tawhiao had 14 points. Jake Tawhiao contributed nine points to fall just shy of reaching double figures. Emilio Sanchez had four points while Mauricio Reyes had one point.
Six players also scored points for Montgomery. Sebastian Morgan recorded 18 points to finish second in team scoring in the game. Rahin Williams had six points while Ze’Tiam Burton had four points. Kyle Paranada had three points while Anthony Hall had two points.
Joshua Tawhiao and Morgan each sank three three-pointers in the matchup of league heavyweights.
The Crusaders and Aztecs — perfect in the opening round of league play — will get to do it all over again as the second round tips off prior to the start of the San Diego Section playoffs.
Montgomery plays at Olympian on Friday, Jan. 26, while Mater Dei Catholic hosts Bonita Vista on Wednesday, Jan. 31. Both games tip off at 6 p.m.
“The second round is always a little more difficult,” Caesar admitted. “Teams have seen you and can prepare a little better now. Also, you have keep your team motivated and continue to execute.”
Mesa League Standings
(Through Jan. 24)
League/Overall
Mater Dei Catholic Crusaders 6-0, 17-6
Montgomery Aztecs 5-1, 16-4
Eastlake Titans 5-2, 13-9
Otay Ranch Mustangs 3-3, 13-7
Olympian Eagles 2-4, 13-8
Bonita Vista Barons 1-6, 14-11
San Ysidro Cougars 0-6. 7-17
Wednesday, Jan. 24
Mater Dei Catholic 70, Montgomery 56
Olympian 66, Bonita Vista 58
Eastlake 66, Otay Ranch 64
Friday, Jan. 26
Otay Ranch at San Ysidro, 6 p.m.
Eastlake at Bonita Vista, 6 p.m.
Montgomery at Olympian, 6 p.m.
