Michele Massari normally can talk up a storm, her passions including family and basketball, especially when they roll into one.

Saturday afternoon, the Sacramento Dragons' coach couldn't find the precise words to describe the inspired efforts of her gritty, never-bland young team. So she said nothing.

Finally, she spoke of pride.

Second-seeded Sacramento succumbed to the size and skill of top-seeded Bishop O'Dowd of Oakland in the second half and fell 57-46 in the Northern California Regional Division III championship game at Power Balance Pavilion in a sobering end to a surprising season.

That the Dragons (28-6) of Oak Park were here was testament to the program Massari has maintained. She plugged in four new starters to replace those who graduated and steered the team back to the NorCal final.

"I've never been more proud of a team," Massari said, trying to maintain her composure. She added later: "This is crazy to think about. Unlike Del Oro, unlike St. Francis, unlike El Camino, this is a fresh group of starters … . It's unique. We graduated 90 percent of our scoring, 90 percent of our rebounding and defense – and here we are.

"There's no other team that can do that."

Leading the way, as she has all season, was Fantasia Hilliard, the dynamic 5-foot-3 point guard who had 15 points and five rebounds against a lineup of trees in her prep finale. Fittingly, the classy senior leader was presented with the CIF Pursuing Victory with Honor Sportsmanship Award.

"She is amazing," Massari said of the Sacramento State-bound Hilliard. "You can't match her energy, her hustle, leadership. She's become our heart and soul. I'll miss her."

Junior wing Jasmine Ware, one of a host of impressive returning players, scored 18 points as she attacked from all angles. Also returning for Sacramento next season will be freshman post Ayanna Edwards. Her defensive presence and poise helped Sacramento lead 20-15 at halftime.

The 6-4 Edwards, who Massari said could barely dribble the ball last summer, had four blocked shots and six rebounds. At times, Edwards also held her own against the three-headed inside force of O'Dowd's K.C. Waters, Breanna Brown and Oderah Chidom.

Those three sophomores, all 6-2 or taller, combined for 33 points and 29 rebounds.

O'Dowd (24-7) won its first NorCal title and seems primed for more such runs.

So is Sacramento, with the return and expected growth of Ware, Edwards, Najah Queenland, Allie Green, Jehiah Cook and Dalayna Tyler-Scott, among others.

"There's some unbelievable talent coming back, and we'll get better, and we can get right back here," Massari said.

Edwards agreed, saying, "We can grow from this and improve."

Now, maybe, Massari can finally exhale for a season well done.

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Follow Joe Davidson on Twitter@sb_joedavidson.

• Read more articles by Joe Davidson