Mater Dei’s inspired second half is enough to beat Orangewood Academy

ORANGE — Mater Dei’s top-ranked girls basketball team rode an inspired second half to a 63-38 victory against No. 4 Orangewood Academy at the Tony Matson Classic at Orange Lutheran on Saturday night.
The Monarchs, No. 1 in Orange County and fourth in CIF-SS Division 4, led 27-21 at halftime and soon received a challenge from Coach Kevin Kiernan.
“I got on them at halftime. I thought we were not playing for each other,” Kiernan said. “And that was the best second hal