The Sage Hill girls’ basketball is expected to be shorthanded against Mater Dei – Orange County Register

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The Sage Hill girls’ basketball team will be without starting forward Annabelle Spotts Saturday when they meet host Mater Dei in a clash between Orange County’s top two teams at the Matt Denning Hoops Classic.

Spotts, a 6-foot-2 junior, will be out with an ankle injury sustained in the Lightning’s final game at the Nike Tournament of Champions on Dec. 22, Sage Hill coach Kerwin Walters said Friday.

Sage Hill (13-6), second in the county, was hoping Spotts could return against No. 1 Mater Dei (17-2). The Monarchs have their deepest team under coach Kevin Kiernan and boast a strong post in 6-foot-2 junior Jenessa Cotton.

Last season, Mater Dei defeated Sage Hill 75-40 at the Denning Classic. The Lightning took the CIF State Division II title.

Walters added that Spotts will also miss the Lightning game against Santiago Corona at 7:30 a.m. Monday night at the Presion Showcase at Orangewood Academy.

The Denning Classic concludes on Saturday with Sonora-St. Paul at 10:30 am The Raiders, who finished sixth in Orange County, join Sage Hill and Mater Dei as the only county girls teams in the Denning Classic.