Girls Hoop Playoffs: Coronado Ousted by Mater Dei

The Coronado High girls basketball team entered Friday night’s second-round CIF San Diego Section Division IV playoff game against Mater Dei Catholic with a 20-7 record.

But out of the 27 games played by the Islanders, none could have prepared the Central League champions for what they were up against in the third-seeded Crusaders. And it showed right from the start.

Mater Dei used smothering defense to race out to a 29-14 lead in the first half and never trailed in a 59-35 victory, as the Islanders saw their season come to an end in the second round of the playoffs for the second straight season.

This one was never close, as Mater Dei star guards Kandiss Barber and Brittani Lusain combined for 25 points. The Crusaders (19-8) led by as many as 33 before Coronado (20-8) ended the game on a 9-0 run. The Islanders were led by Peri Curtis’ 15 points and Nicollete Abrantes’ 12 points, including three 3-pointers.

“We have got to play tougher competition in order to take the next step,” Islanders coach Toler Goodwin said. “The league is not competitive as it needs to be for us to be ready for these games.”

Toler will have a chance to make a tougher schedule next season for mainly the same group of girls. The Islanders have just one senior on the roster (Alex Reidy) and the entire starting lineup from Friday night’s playoff game will return.

Mater Dei advances to Tuesday’s semifinals against second-seeded Bishop’s.