Mater Dei isn’t surrendering to the environment

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Well, Mater Dei is living up to its reputation.

Thanks to 15 points from North Carolina-bound David Wear (at right) and 10 points from Gary Franklin, the Monarchs lead their Division I-AA second-round playoff game against Harvard-Westlake, 42-24.

It looked like Mater Dei was a little frazzled by the Wolverines’ rowdy home crowd early, but ever since McKnight was fooled by the home crowd’s fake countdown at the end of the first quarter, Mater Dei has been the dominant team.

In fact, Wear’s three-pointer at the halftime buzzer not only quieted the crowd, but also helped the Monarchs ride the momentum into the locker room.

The Wolverines are going to have to find a way to get past Mater Dei’s stellar defense if they want to stay alive after tonight. Austin Kelly looked good on the perimeter, scoring nine points, but the Wolverines need even more.

Unless something weird happens, Mater Dei should have win No. 29 behind them shortly after 9 p.m.

-- Austin Knoblauch

- Image by Lori Shepler / Los Angeles Times