STATE HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT : Southern California Regional Division I Boys Semifinals : Mater Dei Edges Fresno Edison, 63-62

Center LeRon Ellis capped a frantic fourth-quarter rally by making a free throw with five seconds left, lifting Mater Dei High School to a 63-62 victory over Fresno Edison Thursday night in the semifinals of the Southern California Division I boys regional at Cal State Fullerton.

The Monarchs overcame a nine-point deficit in the final quarter, with Ellis making the big plays down the stretch.

“Just once, I’d like to win a game by two points,” said Gary McKnight, Mater Dei coach. “It came down to the big guy and team defense.”

Mater Dei (29-1) has won two straight games by one point and advances to the long-anticipated showdown with undefeated Fairfax in regional final at 8 Saturday in the Sports Arena.

Edison (26-3) had the Monarchs reeling in the fourth quarter following an incredible shooting performance by forward Charlie Ross and an effective fullcourt press in the third quarter.

Ross scored 19 points in the third quarter, hitting 9 of 10 shots from long distance over Mater Dei’s zone defense. The Tigers also forced nine Monarch turnovers in wiping out Mater Dei’s seven-point lead. Edison went ahead, 51-46, with 28 points in the quarter.

Edison’s Steve Smith scored to pad the lead to 55-46 with 7:12 remaining, when Mater Dei began to regroup. Kevin Rembert had a pair of three-point plays and Juan DeAnda hit a big jump shot to get the Monarchs rolling.

Rembert’s three-point play with 2:59 remaining tied the score, 60-60, but Ross retaliated with another long jump shot to make it 62-60.

When Mater Dei forward Erik Quigley was called for traveling with 2:36 left, Edison Coach Bill Engle called a timeout and decided to go to a delay game. It proved to be a bad move.

Mater Dei tied the score, 62-62, following turnover when Ellis scored on a short jumper with 1:01 remaining. Then Ellis made a steal at midcourt after Mater Dei guard Chris Patton tipped a pass. The Monarchs were patient until Ellis got free inside and was fouled by Edison’s Marquise Thomas. He made only one of his two shots, but it was enough.