HS HOOPS: Taft taking its best shot, leads by four at half at Mater Dei

Going in, Taft was deeply concerned about Mater Dei's ability to score from the outside, but Taft did a fine job of its own shooting the ball in the first half to lead 39-35 at the break.

Pierson Williams, Taft's designated shooter, broke out of a slump, scoring 15 points in the first half, including a 22-footer in the opening seconds for the first game's first basket. Williams clicked three 3-pointers in the first two quarters.

In the previous three games, Williams twice totaled just three points.

Taft's first three baskets were 3-pointer, as the Toradors came out firing and scored 21 of their first 27 points on outside shots, including five first-quarter 3-pointers.

Taft's Bryce Jones, who scored the winning 3-pointer Thursday in a last-second win over Leuzinger, was held scoreless in the first quarter and had just four points at the half.