San Domenico forward Maja Cykowska (24) goes for the block of a shot by Shalhevet guard Yalee Schwartz during the fourth quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. Shalhevet defeated San Domenico 50-46. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico’s Mattie Greenstone, from left, Mina Swain and Amahji Cook watch their teammates take on the Shalhevet Firehawks during the fourth quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. Shalhevet defeated San Domenico 50-46. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico guard Summer Jenkins (15) battles Shalhevet guard Yalee Schwartz (24) for a loose ball during the fourth quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. Shalhevet defeated San Domenico 50-46. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico guard Summer Jenkins (15) brings the ball up court against Shalhevet during the first quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico guard Lily Reeser (4) guards Shalhevet guard Davina Benelyahu (10) during the third quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico head coach Mike Fulton, right, watches his team take on Shalhevet during the first quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico guard Summer Jenkins (15) eyes the ball after knocking it away from Shalhevet guard Yalee Schwartz (24) during the fourth quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. Shalhevet defeated San Domenico 50-46. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico guard Lily Reeser (4) drives the baseline against Shalhevet during the fourth quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. Shalhevet defeated San Domenico 50-46. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
Shalhevet guard Yalee Schwartz (24) is double-teamed by San Domenico guards Lily Reeser (4) and Nayeli Aguirre (20) during the fourth quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. Shalhevet defeated San Domenico 50-46. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico guard Summer Jenkins (15) puts up a shot over Shalhevet guard Yalee Schwartz (24) during the fourth quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. Shalhevet defeated San Domenico 50-46. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico guard Summer Jenkins (15) puts up a shot ahead of Shalhevet center Kira Kupferman (2) during the fourth quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. Shalhevet defeated San Domenico 50-46. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico guard Lily Reeser (4) drives past Shalhevet guard Talia Tibi (25) during the fourth quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. Shalhevet defeated San Domenico 50-46. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico guard Summer Jenkins (15) puts up a shot against Shalhevet guard Yalee Schwartz (24) during the third quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico forward Mina Swain (12) looks for an open teammate as she’s surround by Shalhevet defenders during the fourth quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. Shalhevet defeated San Domenico 50-46. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico guard Lily Reeser (4) drives around Shalhevet guard Talia Tibi (25) during the third quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico forward Maja Cykowska (24) shoots over Shalhevet center Kira Kupferman (2) during the fourth quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. Shalhevet defeated San Domenico 50-46. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico guard Summer Jenkins (15) passes away from defensive pressure by Shalhevet guard Davina Benelyahu (10) during the third quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico guard Summer Jenkins (15) puts up a shot ahead of Shalhevet center Kira Kupferman (2) during the fourth quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. Shalhevet defeated San Domenico 50-46. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico head coach Mike Fulton confers with his players during the fourth quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game against Shalhevet, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. Shalhevet defeated San Domenico 50-46. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico Panthers fans cheer on their team against the Shalhevet Firehawks during the fourth quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. Shalhevet defeated San Domenico 50-46. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico guard Lily Reeser (4) puts up a shot in front of Shalhevet guard Talia Tibi (25) during the first quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
Shalhevet guard Yalee Schwartz, left, and San Domenico center Mattie Greenstone (33) vie for a loose ball during the second quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico guard Summer Jenkins (15) intercepts a pass intended for Shalhevet guard Davina Benelyahu (10) during the second quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
Shalhevet guard Yalee Schwartz (24) shoots around San Domenico forward Maja Cykowska (24) during the second quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico center Mattie Greenstone (33) drives past Shalhevet guard Yalee Schwartz (24) during the first quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico players walk off the court at halftime during a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game against Shalhevet, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico guard Summer Jenkins (15) drives to the basket ahead of Shalhevet guard Davina Benelyahu (10) during the second quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico guard Nayeli Aguirre (20) puts up a last second shot between Shalhevet guards Mikayla Namvar (34) and Kiana Surpin (20) during the first quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
Shalhevet guard Yalee Schwartz (24) pulls down a rebound ahead of San Domenico center Mattie Greenstone (33) during the second quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico head coach Mike Fulton, right, confers with a referee during the second quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game against Shalhevet, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico guard Summer Jenkins (15) looks to inbound the ball around Shalhevet guard Davina Benelyahu (10) during the fourth quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. Shalhevet defeated San Domenico 50-46. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico guard Summer Jenkins (15) puts up a shot between a trio of Shalhevet Firehawks defenders during the first quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
Shalhevet guard Yalee Schwartz, center, goes up for a shot between a trio of San Domenico defenders during the fourth quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. Shalhevet defeated San Domenico 50-46. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico guard Lily Reeser (4) guards Shalhevet guard Davina Benelyahu (10) during the third quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico guard Averey Conklin (21) brings the ball up court against Shalhevet during the second quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
The San Domenico Panthers bench watch the award ceremony following their CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game against the Shalhevet Firehawks, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. Shalhevet defeated San Domenico 50-46. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
San Domenico guard Averey Conklin (21) is consoled by head coach Mike Fulton after fouling out during the fourth quarter of a CIF high school girls’ state championship basketball game against the Shalhevet Firehawks, Friday, March 10, 2023 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. Shalhevet defeated San Domenico 50-46. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to the Marin Independent Journal)
SACRAMENTO >> The sequel had little of the same feeling for the San Domenico girls as they made their return to the CIF State basketball championships. The Panthers tried to claw their way past Shalhevet, the Southern California regional champion, but never led in a 50-46 loss in the Division IV title game on Friday morning.
The tears again flowed down the cheeks of the Panthers (27-8), but this time they were not tears of joy.
“The girls are hurting,” San Domenico head coach Mike Fulton said. “But they’re all upset mainly because this is the last time they’ll be playing with Maja (Cykowska). She’s a special player and a special human being. I’m just sorry I had her on the team for only two years.”
Cykowska, the only senior on this year’s San Domenico roster, came to the San Anselmo campus two years ago from Poland. She and her young teammates bonded during last season’s state championship run, and the Panthers wanted to give her another title before she graduates.
“I’m really proud of everyone. It’s been an incredible time these past two years with this team,” said Cykowska, who hopes to play basketball in the college ranks next season. “It’s been a great experience with my friends and teammates.”
Cykowska anchored San Domenico with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Averey Conklin added 12 points, four rebounds and three assists. Summer Jenkins finished with a team-high 15 points, as well as five assists, six steals and six rebounds.
San Domenico also got three points from junior guard Lily Reeser and two from junior forward Mattie Greenstone.
“We came in ready to play. We felt good,” Cykowska said. “We were not scared this year. Last year we were intimidated by the arena, the environment, the idea of the big game. We were more confident this year.”
Unlike in their matchup last season in the Division V final, Shalhevet (26-2) was in control from the opening tip at the Golden 1 Center behind the scoring of juniors Yalee Schwartz and Arielle Grossman, who combined to account for the Firehawks’ entire point total in the first quarter.
“(Shalhevet) had a chip on their shoulders after last year,” Jenkins said. “They came in playing hard and they wanted the championship. … We were here last year, so we knew what to expect.”
Jenkins has been working her game back into form during the postseason after missing two months of the regular season with an injury.
Schwartz dominated the court with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Grossman finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
“Schwartz showed just how good she really is when she’s healthy,” Fulton said. “She’s a great player.”
Grossman hit three of her four 3-pointers in the first quarter as Shalhevet opened a 16-5 lead against San Domenico’s vaunted defense that had allowed 40 or more points in only eight games this season.
“We created turnovers, but that didn’t translate to our offense, like it usually did throughout the season,” Jenkins said.
The Panthers found a spark in the second quarter as they managed to close the gap to as little as three points with 9-1 run early on. San Domenico started shooting the ball more, but more importantly, the ball started dropping for them. Cykowska hit a 3-pointer to start the roll, then Jenkins stole the ball and scored in the paint. The next time she touched the ball, Jenkins took a shot from beyond the arc that bounced high off the rim, but still fell through the cylinder for three points.
The Firehawks got back to work, however, to build a 26-18 halftime lead.
The second half was a game of runs, as Shalhevet scored quickly in the third quarter to open a 10-point edge, their biggest lead of the game. By the end of the third, however, San Domenico had cut the deficit to just five points. The Panthers’ momentum carried over into the fourth quarter as they cut the deficit to just two points, trailing 40-38.
“I thought we’d make a run at that point,” Fulton said. “I thought we could win it at that point.”
The winning run that Fulton and the Panthers were hoping for just never came, however.
“You’re not going to win shooting 16 for 65,” Fulton said. “We weren’t running the plays and the ball wasn’t falling for us. We needed better shooting.”
The Panthers will be without Cykowska next season, although she will remain close to their hearts as they try to make it to the State championships for a third consecutive season. Fulton, who has announced his plans to step down after next season, wants to be with his team for one more run.
“I’ve got a nice class coming back,” said Fulton, who has coached most of this year’s players since they were freshmen. “I plan on getting this group back to the championship. … My run at San Domenico with these girls has been nothing short of brilliant. They are all special.”
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