Rapid Reaction: West Ranch 60, Mater Dei 55

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tarkanian Classic is consistently one of the premier pre-Christmas Tournaments and always features a strong contingent of Southern California-based programs. Though I'm not in physical attendance, the livestream via BallerTV allowed me to see West Ranch defeat Mater Dei, 60-55, in a Platinum Division semifinal Wednesday night at Bishop Gorman high school. Here are some of my rapid reaction thoughts from that game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>[player_tooltip player_id='1222500' first='Andrew' last='Meadow'] was the ultimate difference-maker</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1222500"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63a3ea485bf3c"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6-foot-7 Boise State-signee scored 20 points and did so with efficiency and variety. Meadow hit on eight of his 11 field goal attempts, including 3-for-4 from three-point range. Meadow was also impactful in the intangibles category as his ability to crash the offensive glass created second-chance scoring opportunities for the Wildcats. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>West Ranch has two talented unsigned seniors</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1434421"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63a3ea485bfb5"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1434421' first='Jaqari' last='Miles'] and Isaiah Fields are two available seniors who should see plenty of next-level looks over the next couple of months. Miles is one of the more talented perimeter scorers in the area and his shot-making ability from three-point and mid-range levels of the floor was on full display. Fields is a long, athletic slasher who at 6-feet-5 has potential that is through the roof, especially on the defensive end. Fields' combination of size, length and athleticism makes him an efficient transition finisher and multi-positional defender.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>Mater Dei Freshmen show poise in big game</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Monarchs 2026 class is as solid as you'll find on the west coast and a few of them stepped up on a big stage against a good opponent. 6-foot-7 Brannen Martinsen was the main cog for the Mater Dei offense as the lefty forward was aggressive attacking the basket and finishing at the rim over length. Martinsen scored 16 points. Che Brogan, who added 14 points, was up to his usual tricks of using his footwork to score craftily around the basket and used his high basketball IQ and passing ability to play-make and take charge. Luke Barnett had a couple of nice plays, including a baseline drive and dunk, and he pitched in seven in the narrow loss for the Monarchs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3>Open Division Audition?</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1502770"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":1708912,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-63a3ea485c01a"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both West Ranch and Mater Dei have the talent to be in the CIF Southern Section Open Division playoff field and this game further established both teams as Open contenders. The Wildcats' combination of scoring firepower led by Miles and [player_tooltip player_id='1502770' first='James' last='Evans'], size inside with [player_tooltip player_id='992478' first='Jazz' last='Gardner'], and the offensive and defensive versatility brought by Meadow, Fields, and [player_tooltip player_id='1502802' first='Darrell' last='Morris'] could make West Ranch a tough team to beat come playoff time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mater Dei has been a staple in the Open Division since its inception and, if the Monarchs win the Trinity League, this season should be no different. This isn't the Monarchs' roster that many familiar with the storied program would expect as there's not a couple of big names on the team, but this year's version has a ton of on-court synergy and high IQ players who know and execute the system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->