Bishop Gorman girls basketball players celebrate after their 87-66 victory over Centennial at the Orleans Arena on Friday, earning the Gaels their second straight Class 4A state championship. Photo by Jane Kalinowsky.

Bishop Gorman was the last of four teams to make the Class 4A state girls basketball tournament. Now, for the second straight year, the Gaels are the last team standing.

A week after losing to Centennial in the Sunset Regional final, Gorman avenged the loss with an 87-66 victory over the Bulldogs at the Orleans Arena to repeat as state champions.

The victory was especially sweet for the Gaels (31-2) in light of their 68-62 loss to Centennial (31-4) in the Sunset final Feb. 16. Gorman had to defeat Rancho in a play-in game the following day to qualify for state.

"In the regionals, we came in maybe a little bit cocky, but we knew this game we were the better team. We just had to prove it and leave no doubt," said Gorman senior guard Kaila Goff, who had 10 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.

"This couldn't be more perfect. It's the most amazing feeling in the world."

The taller Gaels won by compiling a 38-28 rebounding advantage and holding Centennial scoring leader Italee Lucas in check. The 5-foot-9-inch guard had averaged 41 points in her three previous playoff games, but shot only 8-for-27 in the final, including 1 of 9 3-point attempts.

"We knew she's pretty much their entire team," Goff said. "We knew if we held her down, we pretty much had the rest of their team."

Lucas, a North Carolina signee who led Centennial to state titles in her first two high school seasons, forced many of her shots in her final prep game, but finished with a team-high 22 points, 11 rebounds and four steals.

"My shot was off tonight," Lucas said. "I tried to go to the hole and I tried to dish, but it wasn't enough.

"I think I had a great year and I'm very proud of my teammates and coaches. I don't regret anything, but it would've been nice to win."

The game turned on the Gaels' response to Centennial's 14-2 run to begin the second half, which gave the Bulldogs a 47-43 lead. Gorman quickly regrouped, going on a 14-4 spurt to end the quarter for a 57-51 lead.

The Gaels never trailed again, ending the game on a 44-19 surge.

"I called timeout and told the girls this game is about runs, and we needed to stop their run and get ours back," Gaels coach Sheryl Krmpotich said. "Once we started playing our game and doing what we do well -- pounding it inside and taking advantage of our height -- they just rolled with it."

Krmpotich seemed surprised at the margin of victory.

"We did it in fashion, beating a great team," she said. "Karen (Weitz) does a great job coaching (Centennial) and to beat them by (19) is an amazing feeling. It makes it much sweeter to beat them in the fashion we did, definitely."

Freshman Aaryn Ellenberg led the Gaels with 24 points, and 6-foot-4-inch junior center Ashley Gayle compiled 21 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots.

Weitz said she is looking forward to bringing the Bulldogs back stronger next season.

"The bottom line is it's the last game of the season, but we'll be back and we'll be better," she said.