Mater Dei’s Kaeli Wynn smiled and chatted with well-wishers as she left the Meruelo Athletic Center on crutches and her leg in a stiff brace.

The South Carolina basketball signee held her head high Saturday after the Matt Denning Hoops Classic as she discussed her recovery from a Dec. 3 surgery that wiped out her senior season.

“I have a lot of positivity in me,” Wynn said. “This is just my path. I’ve had a lot of time to accept that. Obviously, behind closed doors, I might be a little different and there were some days where they weren’t my brightest but that just comes with it.”

“I’m just taking it one day at a time,” she added. “And that’s the only thing that I can do is continue to work forward for my future, and that’s the only thing I want to think of. Dwelling on the past won’t help me. Dwelling on my situation won’t help me, won’t help my teammates. I try to stay as strong as possible for them but some days it’s really hard.”

“The first couple games, when (I was) walking out and (thought), ‘I’m never going to put on my uniform this year. Never going to put my shoes on. Never going to warm up.’ Those kind of thoughts came through my head.”

Wynn, a 6-foot-1 forward and two-time first-team All-County forward, suffered a dislocated kneecap late last season. She said she underwent surgery on Dec. 3 to reconstruct a ligament on the side of her knee. The procedure, she said, included an adjustment of her tibia to help her knee.

Buoyed by her Christian faith and the support of family and friends, Wynn is eagerly looking forward to beginning physical therapy later this month. Her goal is to play as a freshman next season at South Carolina.

“I just got to get in rehab and get my quad (muscle) back, my calf (muscle) back,” she said. “I’m encouraged to work hard. I have a lot of future to look forward to. I’m really just so excited to get to Columbia (S.C.) and start working.”

In the meantime, Wynn is taking statistics for Mater Dei during games. She also is reading a book that she received from her grandmother for Christmas.

The book is on South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley, who counts Wynn as her first high school recruit from California.

“I’m reading (the book) and I was, ‘Wow. I get to learn from this person,’ ” Wynn said of Staley. “I’m pushing myself to be with the best players, play against the best competition and be coached by the best coach in the nation.”

SHORT SHOTS

Former Rosary standout Asia Avinger is now an assistant coach at Fairmont Prep. The former San Diego State and Georgia guard said she is interested in pursuing coaching. …

Fairmont Prep seniors Adyra Rajan (Harvard commit) and Sarah Aldeguer (Princeton) are both less than 10 points shy of reaching 2,000 and 1,000 points, respectively, for their careers. …

San Juan Hills senior Adelyn Boberg and Villa Park senior Bailey Roczey recently notched their 1,000th career points. …

El Modena (17-0) takes an undefeated record into its North Hills League opener at Pacifica (3-13) on Tuesday.

Marking its fifth location, the lauded taqueria officially opened its doors on Dec. 22, located on the ground floor of the eight-story Rafferty building, brining new energy to the thoroughfare that’s currently undergoing a transformation.

For co-founder and co-chef Josue Maldonado, planting a flag in the Orange County city with the largest Latino population wasn’t just about expansion, but also about preservation.

The original Tacos Los Cholos opened in Anaheim in 2019. Surviving the pandemic, the taqueria opened its second location in Fullerton. Maldonado and his business partner, co-founder and co-chef Michael Alvarado, followed with spots in Huntington Beach and Huntington Park in Los Angeles County. Now, the duo have opened their fifth location in Santa Ana.

“We knew there was a lot of change going on, so we wanted to bring a little bit of Mexican culture to stay here,” said Maldonado.

While Tacos Los Cholos is rooted in tradition, the new venue itself represents a new tier for the beloved brand. Fans of the taqueria know it for its ingredients and dishes (carne asada tacos, Anaheim burritos and handmade tortillas, to name a few) often served in casual, high-energy settings. But the new Santa Ana location leans into a more polished aesthetic.

“It’s a more upscale feel here,” noted Maldonado, comparing the brand-new build to their older spaces.

Despite the snappy interiors, replete with a mural, crimson paint and a wall of soaring floor-to-ceiling windows (ideal for people watching while adding heaps of natural light to the space), the soul of Tacos Los Cholos remains untouched. “The style of cooking, the way we cook and serve, is the same,” he said.

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The focus is still on the fire and food, which are both open for diners to watch in action care of the visible Santa Maria grill anchoring the behind-the-counter scene. Menu items include meat-heavy tacos (the carne asada or chorizo are musts), the unique Anaheim taco, quesadillas, a loaded papa loka (a Mexican-style “loaded baked potato”), mulita, the Cholo pizza and burritos. Meats include more than a dozen options, including a “prime” section with such heavy hitters as filet mignon, ribeye and mar y tierra. And please ask about the secret menu; a recent visit uncovered exceedingly tender and generously filled wagyu tacos.

In the days since its doors opened, the new Tacos Los Cholos has seen a steady crowd, drawing in a notably younger base and neighbors eager to see what the buzz is about. “It’s been busy. People have really liked it. … We feel support for sure from the area and everyone who lives around here,” said Maldonado.

As Maldonado revealed in a 2023 social media post detailing Tacos Los Cholos’ inception, he and his best friend, fellow co-chef and co-founder Alvarado, “bought a plancha and grill with a tax return check.” With little money, the two “high school drop outs on the wrong path” found a love for cooking, which “saved and changed our lives.” The Anaheim locals “that were looked down on for most of there lives” put everything they had into their budding home cottage business. Word of their tacos spread right-quick and soon “we had a line in front of my house waiting for our food.”

While the brand has grown at a stead clip, turning from front yard pop-up into a brick-and-mortar story with acclaim galore, its pace isn’t slowing down yet. Maldonado said he and Alvarado have one more location set to open later this year in Eastvale. “And that’s about it for now,” he said with a laugh. “Then we’re taking a break for a while.”

Find it: 113 E Fourth St., Santa Ana, 714-623-4733

The biggest game this week is St. John Bosco at Santa Margarita on Friday at 7 p.m. It is a Trinity League opener for both teams.

St. John Bosco (11-4), led by 6-6 senior Christian Collins, is ranked No. 3 in CIF-SS in the computer rankings.

Santa Margarita (19-2), led by senior guard Kaiden Bailey (Georgia Tech signee), is No. 2 behind top-ranked Sierra Canyon.

In the CalHiSports.com state rankings, Santa Margarita is No. 3 and St. John Bosco is No. 5. Sierra Canyon is No. 1 there, too.

Orange Lutheran (14-5), which is No. 10 in the Orange County rankings, plays at county No. 3 JSerra (13-8) on Friday in another Trinity League opener.

The schedule for Tuesday has some standout league matchups. In the Crestview League, O.C. No. 6 Canyon (11-6) is at No. 2 Crean Lutheran (14-5) and No. 14 La Habra (15-4) is at No. 8 Cypress (14-7).

In the Freeway League on Friday, No. 18 Sonora (15-5) plays at No. 15 El Dorado (16-2).

ORANGE COUNTY NOTES

The first version of the computer rankings that the CIF-SS will use for the creation of the playoff divisions were released last week. The second posting is due this week and the rankings will continue each week through Feb. 2. …

Canyon and No. 17 Esperanza (18-1) play each other in a nonleague game Monday, Jan. 12, at Intuit Dome, the home of the Clippers. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. …

Los Alamitos senior Tyler Lopez was named MVP of the Diamond Division for The Classic at Damien. The Griffins’ Joseph Ojeda and Isaiah Williamson were named to all-tournament. Los Alamitos beat Auburn of Washington in the division final. Canyon, Fairmont Prep and La Habra also were in the Diamond Division. …

Esperanza was the champion of the Bronze Division in The Classic at Damien. …

Calvary Chapel defeated Jurupa Hills 63-61 in the Iron Division final of The Classic. Calvary’s Micah Francisco was named division MVP and the Eagles’ Ephraim Coffin was named all-tournament. …

Los Amigos went 3-1 in the Bronze Division of The Classic at Damien. …

Orange Lutheran went 3-1 and won the consolation championship in the Silver Division at The Classic. Lancers Josh King and Noah Zeola were selected to the all-tournament team. King is averaging 24 points a game. …

Fountain Valley won the championship of the Oxford Academy tournament. Barons senior guard Kenneth Nguyen scored 30 points in a 79-53 win over Pacifica in the championship game. He was the tournament MVP. …

Crean Lutheran 6-11 senior Chadrack Mpoyi was named all-tournament in The Classic at Damien. …

Newport Harbor went 4-0 in the Gold Division of The Coast Classic tournament at Estancia. The division had a round-robin format without a championship game. Newport’s Owen Saukkola was named all-tournament. …

The Coast Classic’s Silver Division was played in the 16-team bracket style. Godinez beat Cabrillo 58-57 in the championship game. Jaiden Torres of Godinez was division MVP. …

Cypress won the Governors Division championship of the Torrey Pines Holiday Classic. Guard Ryan Gov was named division MVP.  He scored 32 points in the Centurions’ 83-73 win over Poway in the division final. …

Zain Majeed is averaging 25 points a game for Mater Dei since becoming eligible Dec. 26. He is a 6-8 junior who transferred from IMG Academy in Florida. …

Not all teams post stats at MaxPreps.com. Of those that do, Brea Olinda senior Logan Severson is the California leader in 3-point baskets with 67 in 19 games.

ORANGE COUNTY GIRLS SOCCER TOP 10

(Records through Sunday, Jan. 4.)

1. Santa Margarita, 10-0-0: Felicity Nguyen leads the reigning CIF-SS Open Division champion with 17 goals. Sophomore Winter Meskiel has five goals for the Eagles, who were ranked No. 1 in the Orange County season preview. Previous ranking: 1

2. Mater Dei 10-1-3: Senior forward Valentina Labuschagne has 15 goals and three assists for the Monarchs, who captured the Excalibur tournament. Previous ranking: 2

3. Huntington Beach 7-0-4: Santa Clara commit Solana Van Enoo leads the Oilers with seven goals. Previous ranking: 5

4. Orange Lutheran 2-1-3: Sophomore Samantha Sugerman has four goals for the Lancers, who play host to Millikan on Friday. Previous ranking: 3

5. JSerra 4-1-1: GG Szczuka and Kaylee Hanna each have six goals for the Lions, who play host to San Diego’s San Marcos on Tuesday. Previous ranking: 6

6. Aliso Niguel 5-3-0: The Wolverines, who won the Best in the West tournament’s top division, open the South Coast League against El Toro on Thursday. High-scoring forward Claire Hirakawa (10 goals) missed the Excalibur tournament. Previous ranking: Not ranked

7. Newport Harbor 7-4-1: Freshman Cassie Jacoby leads the well-balanced Sailors with six goals. Eleven different players have scored for Newport Harbor. Previous ranking: 9

8. Capistrano Valley 5-2-2: The Cougars edged San Clemente 1-0 in the finals of the GH Division at the Best in the West tournament. Taylor Ortiz and Ella Brinkerhoff have two goals apiece to lead the defensive-minded Cougars. Previous ranking: Not ranked

9. San Clemente 9-1-2: Seniors Payton Fitch (five goals) and Celia Mann (five assists) lead the Tritons in points. Previous ranking: 10

10. Los Alamitos 3-7-3: The Griffins have dealt with injuries and a difficult schedule but expect to be healthier for their Sunset League opener against visiting Newport Harbor on Tuesday. Previous ranking: 4

Please send O.C. girls soccer news to Dan Albano at dalbano@scng.com

Notable this week: Santa Margarita won the championship of the top division in the Desert Holiday Classic. …  Mater Dei went 4-0 in its division of the Desert Holiday Classic. … Los Alamitos won the championship of the Diamond Division of The Classic at Damien tournament. … Huntington Beach makes its season debut in the Top 25 … Transfers who had to observe the sit-out period became eligible to play on Dec. 26.

BOYS BASKETBALL TOP 25

1. Santa Margarita 19-2: The Eagles won the championship of the top division in the Desert Holiday Classic. They also beat Roosevelt and Fairfax. They are home against St. John Bosco (11-4) in a Trinity League opener Friday.

Previous ranking: 1

2. Crean Lutheran 14-5: The Saints lost to Redondo Union in the semifinals of the Platinum Division in The Classic at Damien. They beat Cypress 72-60 in a Crestview League opener.

Previous ranking: 2

3. JSerra 13-8: The Lions lost to Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks in the championship game of the National Division of the Torrey Pines Holiday Classic.

Previous ranking: 3

4. Corona del Mar 16-1: The Sea Kings finished second in its division of the Desert Holiday Classic. They beat Fountain Valley 64-46 in a Sunset League game, the first loss of the season for the Barons.

Previous ranking: 4

5. Los Alamitos 8-6: The Griffins won the championship of the Diamond Division in The Classic at Damien. They beat Auburn of Washington 60-53 in the division final.

Previous ranking: 7

6. Canyon 11-6: The Comanches went 2-2 in the Diamond Division of The Classic at Damien, then beat Arizona’s No. 3-ranked team Brophy Prep.

Previous ranking: 5

7. Mater Dei 12-7: With their roster improved by recently eligible transfers, the Monarchs won their division of the Desert Holiday Classic.

Previous ranking: 10

8. Cypress 14-7: The Centurions won the championship of the Governors Division in the Torrey Pines Holiday Classic, and lost to Crean Lutheran in a Crestview League game.

Previous ranking: 6

9. Fairmont Prep 10-7: The Huskies went 2-2 in the Diamond Division of The Classic at Damien.

Previous ranking: 8

10. Orange Lutheran 14-5: The Lancers won the consolation championship in the Silver Division of The Classic at Damien.

Previous ranking: 11

11. Pacifica Christian 13-4

Previous ranking: 9

12. Tesoro 17-3

Previous ranking: 12

13. Servite 15-5

Previous ranking: 17

14. La Habra 15-4

Previous ranking: 14

15. El Dorado 16-3

Previous ranking: 13

16. Edison 14-3

Previous ranking: 15

17. Esperanza 18-1

Previous ranking: 16

18. Sonora 15-5

Previous ranking: 20

19. Fountain Valley 16-1

Previous ranking: 21

20. Newport Harbor 13-4

Previous ranking: 19

21. San Clemente 10-9

Previous ranking: 18

22. Huntington Beach 10-7

Previous ranking: Not ranked

23. Villa Park 12-9

Previous ranking: 24

24. Aliso Niguel 11-8

Previous ranking: 25

25. Woodbridge 12-6

Previous ranking: 23

SANTA ANA — The challenges for Mater Dei’s girls basketball team extend beyond playing without All-County forward and South Carolina signee Kaeli Wynn.

While season-ending knee surgery has been a blow for Wynn and the Monarchs, the team also is navigating a national schedule with limited returning experience.

Mater Dei pushed forward with another test in the Matt Denning Hoops Classic on Saturday, and passed behind Harmony Golightly and step-up performances from freshman Nelly Strong and sophomore Marissa Bishop.

Golightly matched her season-high with 28 points and Strong made a critical 3-pointer in the fourth quarter as the Monarchs held on for a 58-55 win against Democracy Prep of Nevada at Mater Dei High.

Democracy Prep (7-5) impressed earlier this season with a 66-61 victory against three-time defending California Open Division champion Etiwanda at the Maya Enomoto Memorial Showcase at Esperanza.

The Nevada powerhouse later lost UNLV commit Keonni Lewis to a knee injury but still showed plenty of fight against Mater Dei (12-4).

On the final play, Democracy Prep missed a 3-pointer that would have forced overtime.

“This is one of the best (wins for us),” said Harmony, who was selected game MVP. “These were really good competitors today. They beat great teams like Etiwanda so it’s good to pull through with this.”

“I know they were missing one of their best players but it was still a great win and (I’m) proud of the team. I felt like it was a big learning experience,” the junior guard added. “I hope that we keep elevating from here, just being able to push through adversity.”

Mater Dei, second in the last Orange County rankings, never trailed but never raced away from Democracy Prep despite opening a 21-5 lead late in the first period.

Democracy Prep, the Division 5A state runner-up last season in Nevada, tied the score 45-45 early in the fourth quarter on a 3-pointer from Aryana Edwards. But Mater Dei responded with an 8-0 run that featured consecutive 3-pointers from Strong and Harmony.

Strong, a guard, took a short pass from Golightly and sank a 3-pointer from the corner to give Mater Dei a 50-45 lead with 4:56 left in the fourth.

“Nelly is an amazing shooter,” Golightly said. “We’ve been wanting her to score more in games. … I saw her there and knew that she was going to knock it down.”

Golightly followed with her fourth basket from beyond the arc to help stabilize the Monarchs.

UC San Diego commit Noelle Mulvanny added a basket in the paint to push Mater Dei’s lead to 55-52 with 1:34 left.

Harmony then made two free throws with 56 seconds remaining to extend the lead to 57-52.

Strong (six points) and Bishop (eight points) helped Mater Dei tally 16 points off the bench. Bishop, a transfer from Ontario Christian who observed the sitout period, supplied an inside presence with scoring and two blocks.

Strong, Bishop and freshman Legend Tyler all played major minutes in the fourth quarter for Mater Dei. The Monarchs return one starter from last season in Stella Hoss. Golightly started a few games.

“I’m just proud of the way our team is having to mature really quickly,” Kaeli Wynn said. “The only way we’re going to get better is to keep putting ourselves in tough positions and surviving through the tough positions. It’s a process.”

Mater Dei entered the showcase coming a third-place finish in the top division of the Holiday Classic in Portland, Ore. in late December.

Earlier in December, the Monarchs finished 14th in the premier high school division at Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona.

Point guard Bray’ana Miles, a senior committed to Coppin State, scored 17 points to lead Democracy Prep.

The Blue Knights went 1 for 5 from the foul line in the fourth quarter.

“We’re kind in a transitional phase,” said Democracy Prep coach Julius Barren, whose team also had a starter not make the trip. “Players having to adjust their roles and having to do more.”

“We came out a little flat,” the coach added. “Once we got our feet under us, we got a little more competitive. That’s a great (Mater Dei) team, well-coached.”

In other games:

Sage Hill 79, Mission Hills 57: Kamdyn Klamberg scored 18 of her career-high 31 points in the second half as the Lightning (14-4) won their ninth consecutive game.

Amalia Holguin added 19 points, including six 3-pointers for Sage Hill.

Valencia of Valencia 81, Esperanza 54: Charlotte Muller scored 19 points and Avery Kame and Alexa Muller added 13 and 12 points, respectively, in the loss for the Aztecs (9-9).

The woman, identiifed by relatives as 39-year-old Alejandra Ramirez Torres, was first reported in the water near Warner Avenue and Harbor Boulevard in Costa Mesa shortly before noon. Authorities said she was hollering for help, according to Fox11.

About 60 firefighters from Orange County, Fountain Valley and Costa Mesa fire departments responded to the scene, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. Swift-water rescue teams later recovered Torres near Ellis Avenue, after she was carried approximately two miles in fast-moving water.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officials said Torres was homeless at the time of her death. The circumstances that led to her entering the river were not known.

Torres had lived in Tustin, and leaves behind two daughters, ages 11 and 16, her family said on a GoFundMe established to help cover funeral expenses and provide support for the girls. The family could not be reached for comment Saturday.

“This sudden and heartbreaking loss has deeply affected our family, and we are doing everything we can to support Alejandra’s girls as they face an uncertain future without their mother,” the fundraiser, organized by Michelle Flores Norman, states.

Victor Torres, Alejandra’s cousin, said her daughters were involved in a bus crash in Running Springs in November, when a bus carrying 32 children overturned, CBS News reported.

“Her two girls have been through a lot recently,” Torres told the station. “Right now, they’re with the family. They’re pretty devastated. We’re trying to be there as much as we can for them in the future as well.”

SANTA ANA — Mater Dei’s girls soccer team added a historic feat to its sizzling start Wednesday in the finals of the Excalibur Tournament of Champions at Foothill High.

Valentina Labuschagne converted a penalty shot that she drew in overtime, and Addy Rodriguez scored twice on free kicks outside the penalty box as the Monarchs defeated Harvard-Westlake 3-2 to capture the tournament for the first time under longtime coach Matty West.

“There’s a first for everything,” West, in his 25th season, said with a smile. “This was an impressive accomplishment. The girls just worked really hard, overcame some big obstacles and they really put it together when we needed it.”

In improving to 10-0-3, Mater Dei took a 3-2 lead against Harvard-Westlake (5-2-3) late in the first five-minute overtime period.

Labuschagne, a forward who is committed to Rice, drew the penalty as she dribbled into the box after taking a pass from Addi Doria.

Harvard-Westlake was whistled for tripping and Labuschagne followed by netting her second consecutive game-winning goal.

“She hurt her ankle last game,” Mater Dei midfielder Kendra Hansen said of Labuschagne, who scored in a 1-0 win against Los Alamitos in the semifinals Tuesday. “When she got fouled, her ankle was throbbing. … Big props to her (for scoring). Big props to Addy.”

“This is our fourth game in three days,” Hansen added, “so it takes a lot of (will) to win.”

Hansen, a member of the U.S. under-17 national team, drew free kicks in the first and second half that Rodriguez scored on to give Mater Dei leads.

In the 21st minute, the left-footed Rodriguez blasted a low, free kick from just outside the penalty box into the far corner for a 1-0 lead.

After Harvard-Westlake’s Zoe Piper tied the score just before halftime on a counterattack, Hansen drew another free kick just outside the box in the third minute of the second half.

Rodriguez, who is committed to Colorado State, followed by bending a shot into the near-side upper corner.

“I haven’t scored two free kicks in a row in a game,” said Rodriguez, who plays outside back. “I was thankful to help out my team.”

“(And) thank goodness for (Hansen),” she added. “She always draws (free kicks).”

Harvard-Westlake hung tough. Freshman Amada Rodriguez scored in the middle of the second half after the Monarchs failed to clear the ball.

Mater Dei goalie Jojo Conn made a diving save moments later on a shot by Piper. The North Dakota State committed senior added another save against Amada Rodriguez as the teams pushed toward overtime.

Early in the first overtime, Harvard-Westlake goalie Sasha Selvaggio soared to narrowly punch out a lofted shot by Mater Dei’s Sophia Di Gerlando.

“I thought it was a pretty even game and (I) am very proud of our girls for the quality of their play and their competitive spirit,” Harvard-Westlake coach Richard Simms said. “Credit to Mater Dei for some wonderful free kicks.”

Mater Dei, the reigning CIF-SS Division 1 champion, opened the tournament with a loss in penalty kicks against Fairmont Prep. The Monarchs bounced back to beat Edison 2-1, on a goal by Hansen.

“This means a lot,” West said of winning the Excalibur. “It is a collection of some really competitive teams ramping up for season. This is just a really good indicator on what you’re capable of doing.”

Mater Dei opens Trinity League play against Orange Lutheran on Jan. 15.

At 1:30 p.m. in the Norma Kershaw Auditorium, SADUBAS presents a live audio/visual performance celebrating Bollywood. In the courtyard, free face painting and art projects are scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. including wood block painting, Mandala color sheets and more.

At noon, see the Arpana Dance Co, followed at 12:30 p.m. by Bhakthi Bhav Dance. There’s singing by Renu Arya at 12:45 p.m. and a Bollywood performance at 2:30 p.m. by Adaa Dance Academy.

The Bowers Museum is at 2002 N. Main St. Santa Ana. bowers.org/index.php/programs/exhibit-tags/global-threads/festival-of-india

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The park runs alongside Santiago Creek, stretching from Main Street toward the 22 Freeway, with recreational amenities including picnic areas, playgrounds and tennis and basketball courts, as well as an archery range, a lawn bowling green and an interpretive wildlife center.

City officials in Santa Ana marked the completion of Santiago Park’s second phase of improvements earlier this month. They were funded by the California Coast Conservancy at a cost of $2.8 million.

New upgrades include improved picnic areas, Santiago Creek overlooks, lighting and updated landscaping and irrigation. The work also includes a new monument at the park’s Main Street entrance, along with new pedestrian and bike paths that connect to the Santiago Creek Bike Trail.

The improvements are part of a broader effort to refresh aging infrastructure, improve access and safety, and better connect the park to the creek and regional trail network.

Improvements in the park’s third phase are expected to begin in 2026 and will cover the portion of the park east of the Lawn Bowling Center to the 22 Freeway.