This time, there would be no "Mitty miracle."

Not for a neighborhood team from a public school league that has more than held its own against private school behemoths from the Bay Area the last two seasons.

Last season, Woodcreek traveled to San Jose and beat the favored Archbishop Mitty Monarchs 91-83 in overtime in the CIF Northern California Division II boys semifinals.

But Saturday night at Power Balance Pavilion in the D-II title game, there would be no repeat against the top-seeded Monarchs.

Not even close.

A more aggressive, better-shooting and more poised Mitty squad (31-2) cruised to a 67-44 win over the Timberwolves (29-6), a brotherly bunch that had captured the area's hearts and minds by winning three tough NorCal road games to return to the final for a second consecutive year. (Last season Woodcreek lost on a buzzer beater to St. Francis of Mountain View, a Mitty league rival.)

But Woodcreek couldn't overcome sizzling shooting by Mitty senior guard Kyle Toth, who had a game-high 20 points, and the all-around athletic play of 6-foot-7 sophomore center Aaron Gordon, who had 10 points and 17 rebounds. The Monarchs shot 50 percent from the field, and the Timberwolves couldn't get on track, shooting 37 percent.

Mitty advanced to Friday's D-II state title game at Power Balance against Summit of Fontana, a 74-69 upset winner over top-seeded San Diego in the Southern California Regional final.

Woodcreek, which never led, got as close as 37-29 on John Peska's basket with 6:16 to play in the third quarter. Mitty then went on an 18-0 run.

"We wanted the 'W' bad," said Gordon, the West Catholic Athletic League Player of the Year. "But this was one stop on a long road."

Co-captain Devin Murphy, who led Woodcreek with 13 points, said the two Mitty games offered a contrast in emotions for his team.

"Going down to Mitty last year and beating them there was one of the greatest feelings in my high school career," he said. "But it (stinks) to end like this."

The debate about whether there should be separate tournaments for public and private schools continues.

In Division II boys, Mitty and St. Francis have won four of the last five titles. The exception was Woodcreek's Sierra Foothill League mate Rocklin, which beat St. Francis 70-65 in 2009.

While saying that private schools have the advantage of open enrollment, Woodcreek coach Paul Hayes opposes that idea.

"I think people enjoy the competition, and I know that I do," said Hayes, who led Woodcreek to a NorCal title in 2003. "I know I wouldn't want to see it."

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