Boys’ basketball: Mater Dei 45, Sheldon 38

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Santa Ana Mater Dei has a seven-point lead over Sacramento Sheldon in tonight’s CIF Division I championship game at Power Balance Pavilion in Sacramento.

The Monarchs lead 45-38 behind 23 points from star senior guard Katin Reinhardt. They are now just eight minutes away from back-to-back state titles under Coach Gary McKnight.

In last year’s final, Mater Dei defeated Concord De La Salle 43-36.

Reinhardt has hit four three pointers and needs one more to tie the Division I state finals record of five held by Fairfax’s Josh Shipp and Alastair Faux of Los Angeles Crenshaw.

Senior forward Kyiron Thomas has 11 points to lead the Huskies, who are making their initial appearance in the state finals.

Although the deficit isn’t insurmountable, it will take a monumental effort for Sheldon to come back because Mater Dei is clicking on offense.

-- Steve Galluzzo