By Bill Paterson
bpaterson@sacbee.com
Sheldon couldn't overcome the shooting of senior Katin Reinhardt or the around-the-basket play of sophomore Stanley Johnson as Mater Dei of Santa Ana defeated the Huskies 66-48 in tonight's CIF State Division I boys basketball championship game at Power Balance Pavilion.
Sheldon fans will say they couldn't overcome the officiating, either. Four of Sheldon's five starters fouled out as the Huskies were called for 25 fouls.
The UNLV-bound Reinhardt, a 6-5 guard, scored 30 points, including a new state record six-three pointers, while the 6-7 Johnson added 21 points, 11 rebounds and five blocked shots.
D'Erryl Williams, the only starter not to foul out, led Sheldon with 13 points. Nate Iese had a game-high 12 rebounds and six points.
For the Monarchs (33-3), it was their ninth state title in 13 appearances. It was the first state title game for Sheldon (29-6).
The officials were booed almost from the start by the partisan Sacramento crowd of 4,600.
Iese was gone at 5:02 in the third quarter after an offensive charge, when it appeared he had been pulled down by a Mater Dei defender. Dakarai Allen drew his fifth foul at 7:27 of the fourth quarter on a questionable offensive charge.
Kyi Thomas, who had 12 points, drew his fifth foul with 5:19 to play. Then Ryan Manning was the next to go with 3:36 left.
Xavier Johnson fouled out for Mater Dei when he was called for his fourth foul, then was assessed a technical after he said something from the bench.
But Sheldon was whistled for 16 fouls; Mater Dei for six in the second half.
Sheldon was as close as five points, 38-33, early in the third quarter before attrition took over. Mater Dei outscored Sheldon 21-10 in the final quarter.
DIVISION I (boys)
MATER DEI-SANTA ANA 66, SHELDON 48
Mater Dei 21 12 12 21 - 66
Sheldon 18 9 11 10 - 48
MD - Stalzer 2, Reinhardt 30, X. Johnson 7, Strawberry 2, S. Johnson 21, Brown 2, Soto 2.
S - Thomas 12, Williams 13, Allen 5, Iese 6, Manning 5, Haney 2, Bradley 2, Lewis 3.
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