Watch: Minute with Madelyn Shanahan after St. Bernard's state-title victory

As good as 6-foot forward was on the court — 15 points, 16 rebounds — the articulate senior was perhaps better off it, including this one-one-one interview after the game.

SACRAMENTO — Madelyn Shanahan, much like her coach and St. Bernard's girls basketball teammates, couldn't be more respectful, aware or appreciative of the moment. 

They had just traveled 300 miles from "true" Northern California, the very tip at Eureka, to defeat Grossmont of El Cajon, at the Southern tip of the state, 47-29 in the CIF Division 4 championship at Golden 1 Arena, home of the NBA's Sacramento Kings.

Highlights: St. Bernard's girls basketball tops Grossmont to win first CIF State title

And as good as Shanahan, a 6-foot senior forward, was on the court — she had 15 points and 16 rebounds — she might have been off it during a postseason game press conference, describing her team's journey or what it was like ending her prep career on an NBA arena, holding up the ultimate trophy as Division 4 state champions. 

“Playing in an NBA Arena, hearing that buzzer go off and knowing we had come on out on top and that we had worked together and stuck together, it was such a great experience," she said in an interview with SBLive at the top of the page. "Especially knowing it was my last game. I’m a senior. We’ve worked hard all season. We played over 35 games. And all season we haven’t had a problem with one another. We’ve supported one another. So when that buzzer went off, it was a win together. We’re just one big family so it was great.”

St. Bernard’s girls wins first CIF California basketball state championship

Watch: St. Bernard's coach, players talk first CIF State basketball championship

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