STATE PREP BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : Montclair Prep in Celebratory State : Division V boys: Mounties defeat University High of San Francisco, 83-67, for title.

Suddenly, the Montclair Prep boys’ basketball program isn’t feeling so persecuted.

A year ago, the Mounties were grousing about how they had been denied an at-large berth in the Southern Section playoffs despite 15 victories.

But Friday afternoon, Montclair Prep picked up victory No. 28, beating University High of San Francisco, 83-67, in the CIF Division V boys’ State championship game before 6,000 at the Oakland Coliseum Arena.

“This makes up for last year,” said Montclair Prep senior Reed Berglund with a net draped around his neck. The Mounties (28-5) became the first Valley team, boy or girl, to win a state basketball championship. State champions were crowned from 1916-1928 and since 1981.

Not bad for a team that doesn’t own a league championship--Montclair Prep is a free-lance team--or a Southern Section title--the Mounties lost to Pasadena Poly in the Division V-AA final two weeks ago.

Montclair Prep was seeded sixth in the Southern California regional of the State playoffs.

But none of that matters now.

Much of the credit for the title goes to Montclair Prep junior forward Anwawn Jones, who led all scorers with 26 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.

Jones, who is 6 feet 5, also helped control University’s top player, 6-6 center Mark Mamakos.

Mamakos scored 17 points, six below his average, with many coming in the second half after Montclair Prep had taken a commanding lead.

Mamakos had six points on three-for-10 shooting in the first half.

“Our quickness made us a better team and we handled their big man,” Montclair Prep Coach Howard Abrams said, referring to Mamakos. “I don’t think they’ve seen quickness like ours.”

Mamakos was despondent after the game.

“My shots just weren’t falling,” he said. “Rebounding, I was frustrated because I didn’t have more. I felt that it was my fault they had so many offensive rebounds. They played good defense up front.”

Taking Mamakos out of the game was the key for Montclair Prep because University (28-4) seemed to have few other weapons.

“I don’t think we matched up with them,” University Coach John Werle said. “In the second half they just blew right by us.”

Montclair Prep’s quickness started to show midway through the first quarter. University led, 11-7, when the Mounties took control with an 11-0 burst, keyed by two steals.

Montclair Prep led the rest of the game, pulling away with a 10-0 run to start the third quarter.

“The first half we were a little nervous playing in a big arena,” said Berglund, who scored 17. “But the second half we came out and we were ready to go.”

Montclair Prep, which had all five starters reach double figures, kept the a comfortable lead the rest of the game. The Mounties had plenty of time to plan the celebration they said they expected.

“We knew it on the flight up here,” Berglund said. “We never doubted anything.”

Abrams told a different story.

When was he sure Montclair Prep had won the state title?

“With 30 seconds left.”