In his inaugural year, Ontario Christian girls’ basketball coach Aundre Cummings took his team to observe national No. 1 Archbishop Mitty on Friday at the Sabrina Ionescu Showcase.
For the Knights, however, attending might not have been the best decision.
Mitty demonstrated its dominance once again, decisively defeating Central Section powerhouse St. Joseph (Santa Maria) 79-54. Preseason All-American McKenna Woliczko tallied 21 points in less than three quarters, as the Monarchs (9-0) established a commanding lead of 44-18 by halftime and extended it to 70-30 by the end of the third. St. Joseph, which received a combined 23 points from Ashlyn Waldram and Jazelle Oropeza, fell to 9-5.
The fourth quarter saw the clock running continuously. Maliya Hunter contributed 12 points while Niyati Bangalore and Ze’Ni Patterson pooled 17 points, showcasing the Monarchs’ sharp form ahead of their rematch with national No. 3 Ontario Christian on Day 2 of the Showcase.
The tipoff on Saturday at Carondelet is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. (PDT).
In their initial meeting, the powerhouses clashed with then-eighth-ranked Mitty overpowering the top-ranked Knights in a 59-34 contest during the finals of the Nike Tournament of Champions on December 21.
Cummings reiterated his choice to watch the Monarchs, asserting they appeared every bit as formidable as two weeks ago. Mitty is currently ranked No. 1 nationally, with Ontario Christian at No. 2.
“We were able to see them this time and not sit in the stands and talk to each other like last time, but actually sit in the stands and focus on well, a legendary coach (Sue Phillips) and a legendary team and program,” Cummings said. “They owe them that much respect.”
“So hopefully it translates to a better game and outcome.”
As for results, the Knights capitalized later that same night, deploying a nearly flawless 30-point third quarter to overwhelm Arizona’s Millennium 93-42. The team was led by Kaleenah Smith and Tati Griffin, who both scored 24 points, with 15 points from towering freshman Sydney Douglas, 12 from Alanna Neale, and 20 from Dani Robinson.
Smith showcased her talent with seven assists, while Douglas added 12 rebounds and four blocks, and Griffin contributed 10 rebounds, three steals, and four assists.
This victory marked the Knights’ fifth consecutive win (19-1) since their loss to Mitty, with each win securing impressively lopsided scores of 99-39 (twice), 101-20, and 72-29.
Clearly, the earlier defeat ignited a strong response within the Knights.
“We definitely went into the game estimating them, especially because we beat them in the summer,” Smith noted. “I feel like they just hit us in the mouth first and it was a strong punch, and we never fought back.”
“I feel like we didn’t play our game at all and played even scared. To be honest, nothing went right. We couldn’t run our plays. We couldn’t defend. We couldn’t make a shot. So it was really going back to the drawing board and figuring everything out. I think we’ve had great practices since then that have really prepared us.”
Cummings believes that experiencing such a significant defeat often serves as a critical learning moment.
“That’s a slice of humble pie that if you didn’t take a loss and go back home and say — ‘How do we get better?’ — then you shouldn’t be doing what you’re doing.”
“We’ve taken that loss and have really got after it. We fixed the mistakes. I think we needed some more togetherness and I think we’ve seen that, including tonight.”
While the Knights delivered a commendable performance, it wasn’t without its flaws.
Indeed, the Knights possess immense talent, with Smith, the top-rated sophomore in the nation, supported by two rising freshmen, alongside seasoned players like Neale, a 5-10 senior, and Robinson, a 5-10 sophomore.
That’s a collective five years of varsity experience as they prepare for the 2024-25 season.
Cummings, who served as an assistant last season, clearly took a bold approach with a jam-packed schedule from the very beginning. In Game 3, after overcoming the two-time defending Open Champion and preseason No. 1 Etiwanda 74-66, the Knights skyrocketed to the pinnacle of national rankings, a situation that has turned out to be both advantageous and challenging, according to Smith.
When asked whether she enjoys the rapid success or finds it to be a strain and a source of pressure, Smith replied: “It’s definitely a fun process just playing with my sisters for sure and having mad dad as a coach and a great coaching staff and great parents around us, I feel like it’s very great. It’s very fun.
“And bonding with them, especially when we travel for a national schedule, I feel like that’s one of the reasons why we’re so close.
“I feel like we could get closer, especially on the court, but for sure, it created stronger bonds. Climbing to the top so quickly is a double-edged sword because we face everyone’s best performance.
“But it is beneficial to show people that we are a team to be reckoned with. This is the first year that Ontario Christian has been recognized in this way. We’re representing our school and the community of Ontario, proving that this small private school can achieve great things.”
Facing off against a well-established private school from Northern California will further enhance that newfound reputation.
Aliyahna Morris, known as “Puff,” showcased her abilities to local spectators, scoring 36 points and leading her team to a remarkable 48-point second half against a determined, young Carondelet side, which received 13 points from Layla Dixon and brought the deficit down to single digits late in the third quarter when star Etiwanda post Grace Knox, a 5-star recruit, sprained her ankle.
It was then that Morris, along with newly eligible transfer Chasity Rice, shifted into high gear, generating continuous pressure and scoring numerous fastbreak points during a commanding 27-point fourth quarter. The dynamic duo, standing at just 5-5, was crucial in this offensive explosion, a result coach Stan Delus had anticipated.
“We’re very confident in our smaller lineup,” he stated. “They don’t shy away from anyone.”
However, not having Knox available will certainly be a setback. The Eagles (9-4) made their way back to Southern California following Friday’s game for participation in the Kevin Kiernan Classic at Mater Dei. Knox limped off the court but it appears her injury won’t keep her sidelined for long.
Delus affirmed that Morris is prepared to step up and shoulder whatever responsibilities are needed to lead the two-time defending state champions towards their goals.
This team is still in the process of discovering its identity while adjusting to life without McDonald’s All-American Kennedy Smith, who is now at USC.
“We’ve claimed two state championships, two regional titles, and several section titles while competing at a national level because that little girl takes everything on her shoulders,” Delus remarked. “She consistently demonstrates her passion, as evidenced by her 36 points in this challenging setting. Nothing seems to shake her. She could have easily scored 50.”
Morris, who contributed six assists and eight rebounds, isn’t just…
Fierce on the court, yet gentle off it, she shared that her 36 points were just shy of her career high of 38. While securing the victory and performing well was her top goal, she also expressed a desire to leave a mark on the fans who will cheer for her next season.
“I’ve seen a lot of people in Cal gear walking around here,” she noted. “I’m really excited to work with coach (Charmin Smith). It feels like a wonderful community to be part of. I’d love to contribute to something as remarkable as that.”
Delus mentioned that he is already feeling emotional at the thought of a future without Morris, but he still has a few months to go.
“I’m gonna tell her thank you maybe a thousand times because she continues to add to the legacy of this program,” he stated. “She’s always great at elevating things to another level, and I’m confident she’ll do the same at Cal.”
