CIF STATE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : Mater Dei’s Run for Title Comes Up Short, 52-50 : Division I girls: The Monarchs are frustrated to come so close against powerful Sacred Heart.

Rhonda Gondringer grappled for composure and Michelle Meyers grappled for perspective, both trying to make sense of Mater Dei’s first State title game.

Gondringer said a 20-point loss would have been better than what happened. Meyers said she wished she could be back for one more year and try to avenge Saturday’s 52-50 loss to Atherton Sacred Heart at the Oakland Coliseum Arena.

“They’re a great team and we lost 52-50--that’s one time out of 10 times,” Meyers said. “You never know what’s going to happen the other nine times.

“I’m a little sad I’m a senior. I’d like to get another chance.”

There won’t be any more chances for Meyers after Mater Dei--ranked 17th nationally--made a run at fifth-ranked Sacred Heart (38-1) with Melody Peterson on the bench for the final 2 minutes 14 seconds.

Trailing, 49-46, and Peterson getting what she called a “cheap” foul, Lori Hurlbut was cast in the unlikely role of savior.

Hurlbut, who sparked the Monarchs with a three-pointer to end the third quarter, managed a steal but missed a layup. Tricia Felts turned it into a layup on the other end to give Sacred Heart a five-point lead, 51-46.

Hurlbut made the front of a one-and-one opportunity with 1:46 left, and Gondringer missed a three-point shot. Then the Monarchs missed two more shots before Hurlbut’s three-pointer with seven seconds left made it 51-50. They were five of 16 in the fourth quarter.

“If Hurlbut makes the back end of that one-and-one,” Sacred Heart Coach Mike Ciardella said, “that three-pointer ties the game.”

That’s how close it was. Sacred Heart’s Renee Robinson made a free throw with 0.8 seconds left, and Margaret Hollis was unable to get off a full-court, desperation heave.

It was the 33rd consecutive victory for Sacred Heart (38-1) and its 113th in 114 games, which includes three consecutive State titles--including the 1993 Division III championship.

Afterward, there were many places the Monarchs (28-2) could look to find those extra two points. They made only 17 of 49 shots. They made 13 of 13 free throws. They committed 16 turnovers that led to 11 points.

“Those are the differences in winning a State championship and losing one by two points,” Mater Dei Coach Mary Hauser said. “But you can’t blame one player--the game is 32 minutes long.”

Gondringer, who had a team-high 17 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots, was the most emotional, fighting back tears well after the outcome.

“Losing by two points,” she said. “Anything could have happened.”

Gondringer said she would be thinking about her three missed free throws, though she was five for eight from the line.

Foul trouble plagued both teams. Sacred Heart’s Jenny Circle (14 points, 10 rebounds) picked up her fourth foul with 5:58 left in the third quarter. Point guard Renee Robinson (17 points, 12 assists, five steals) picked up her fourth with 34 seconds left in the third.

But only Peterson fouled out.

“I thought we were eventually going to get some calls but it never happened,” guard Allison Luckey said. “Lori hit some key shots and we just ran out of time.”

Mater Dei went five minutes without a field goal late in the first quarter and into the second, during which its 8-2 lead evaporated into a 14-9 deficit. The Monarchs could never get closer than two points until Hurlbut came off the bench and nailed her three-pointer with one second left in the third quarter. They never took the lead.

“We started pressing a little (with the 8-2 lead),” Hauser said. “We weren’t moving the ball as well as we had been, and we tried to penetrate one on five instead of passing the ball around.”

Leading Sacred Heart early was 6-foot-2 Kobie Kennon (16 points, 11 rebounds), and 6-3 Circle came on strong in the second half (five-of-seven shooting in the half, seven fourth-quarter rebounds).

Still, the undersized Monarchs--without a player taller than 5-10 getting in the lineup--gave the Gators all they wanted.

“Last year we lost to Brea, (Ventura) Buena and Clovis West and we got revenge on them,” said Peterson, who had 12 points and eight rebounds. “According to most people, we were supposed to be gone three games ago. This loss just means next year is a revenge season.”