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  • JSerra's Megan House goes up for a shot against Bishop...

    JSerra's Megan House goes up for a shot against Bishop Montgomery during Friday night's CIF-SS Division 4AA final at Godinez High.

  • JSerra fans cheer for their team during Friday night's CIF-SS...

    JSerra fans cheer for their team during Friday night's CIF-SS Division 4AA final against Bishop Montgomery at Godinez High.

  • JSerra's Coco Miller goes up for a shot over Bishop...

    JSerra's Coco Miller goes up for a shot over Bishop Montgomery's Jessica Malazarte during Friday night's CIF-SS Division 4AA final at Godinez High.

  • JSerra's Julia Ackerman dribbles past Bishop Montgomery guards during Friday...

    JSerra's Julia Ackerman dribbles past Bishop Montgomery guards during Friday night's CIF-SS Division 4AA final at Godinez High.

  • JSerra's Julia Ackerman tries to regain control of the ball...

    JSerra's Julia Ackerman tries to regain control of the ball during Friday night's CIF-SS Division 4AA final against Bishop Montgomery at Godinez High.

  • JSerra's Alexis Vail goes up for a shot against Bishop...

    JSerra's Alexis Vail goes up for a shot against Bishop Montgomery during Friday night's CIF-SS Division 4AA final at Godinez High.

  • JSerra's Kaitlyn Reis watches as Bishop Montgomery is named CIF-SS...

    JSerra's Kaitlyn Reis watches as Bishop Montgomery is named CIF-SS Division 4AA champion after Friday night's game at Godinez High.

  • Bishop Montgomery's Samantha Isozaki guards JSerra's Alexis Vail during Friday...

    Bishop Montgomery's Samantha Isozaki guards JSerra's Alexis Vail during Friday night's CIF-SS Division 4AA final at Godinez High.

  • JSerra's Coco Miller accepts the runner-up plaque after losing to...

    JSerra's Coco Miller accepts the runner-up plaque after losing to Bishop Montgomery in Friday night's CIF-SS Division 4AA final at Godinez High.

  • JSerra players react as their team plays during Friday night's...

    JSerra players react as their team plays during Friday night's CIF-SS Division 4AA final against Bishop Montgomery at Godinez High.

  • JSerra's Coco Miller tries to gain control of the ball...

    JSerra's Coco Miller tries to gain control of the ball as Bishop Montgomery's Chelsea Lidy guards her during Friday night's CIF-SS Division 4AA final at Godinez High.

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SANTA ANA – JSerra took the court at Godinez High on Friday night looking to avoid the same fate it experienced last season — a loss to Bishop Montgomery of Torrance in the CIF-SS Division 4AA girls basketball finals.

Unfortunately for the Lions, history was destined to repeat itself.

JSerra was outscored, 17-9, in the fourth quarter of a 59-49 defeat, suffering the all-too-familiar feeling of coming so close to the ultimate prize but falling just short.

“We just couldn’t make shots. That’s the bottom line,” JSerra coach Mary Rossignol said. “We needed to make big plays, and we couldn’t put the ball in the basket, and couldn’t get a defensive stop when we needed it.”

The Knights (19-13) shot 5 for 9 from the field in the fourth quarter and 5 for 5 from the free throw line. Jessica Malazarte scored nine of her 17 points in the fourth to lead Montgomery.

“We put them to the free throw line, and they’re a very good free-throw shooting team,” Rossignol said. “It kind of all went in their favor, and we just couldn’t make it happen.”

The Lions (23-7) got off to a hot start with 21 first-quarter points. Julia Ackerman made 4 of 5 shots from beyond the 3-point arc to spark the Lions. She scored 12 points in the quarter, but was contained in the second half and finished with 18.

“We ran plays (for Ackerman), but just couldn’t get the looks,” Rossignol said. “Obviously, they were keying on her. We tried to get other people involved, but we just couldn’t put the ball in the basket.”

After shooting 8 for 14 in the first quarter, the Lions shot 10 for 40 the rest of the game.

The Knights responded in the second quarter and took a 32-30 lead at halftime. Most of the damage was done in the paint, where the Knights had 10 offensive rebounds and finished with a 42-32 rebounding edge.

Bishop Montgomery led 42-40 at the start of the fourth and made two quick 3-pointers to extend the lead to eight. The Lions were unable to recover, suffering another disappointing end to their playoff run.

“They’re a tremendous group of kids; I wouldn’t trade them for anything,” Rossignol said. “I’m proud of the accomplishments they’ve had and will continue to have. They worked hard, but we just couldn’t get it done.”