Loss Keyed Eagles' Run to No. 1

Gonzaga started the season with a 17-game winning streak and finished with another 17 consecutive victories. But boys' basketball coach Steve Turner doesn't lament the one loss between the two runs -- he credits it for putting things back on track and helping the Eagles finish the season ranked No. 1 by The Post for the first time.

"That got us refocused and regrouped," Turner said. "It took the pressure off our kids of that whole undefeated season. That's a burden for any kid or even a coach."

For Gonzaga, 34-1 will do just fine. With a starting lineup that included three future college basketball players and two future college football players, the Eagles were strong all season, starting with three tournament championships in December.

A 45-42 loss to No. 12 DeMatha on Jan. 15 ended the first winning streak, but Gonzaga went on to first place in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference during the regular season, won the WCAC tournament, beat Theodore Roosevelt to win the City Title and finished things off this past Saturday by beating sixth-ranked O'Connell for a fourth time, 49-43, to win the Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament in Frostburg, Md.

Sitting on the bench during the postgame awards celebration, Turner sneaked in a call to his predecessor, longtime Gonzaga coach Dick Myers.

"I talk to him after every game," Turner said. "He reminded me to cherish and enjoy it."

Across the area, the end of the season brought several moments to remember.

Second-ranked Montrose Christian (21-4) finished in the same spot for the second year in a row and in The Post's top five for the sixth consecutive season.

Third-ranked T.C. Williams (29-3) became the first boys' team from the Northern Region in 27 years to win a Virginia AAA championship.

Fourth-ranked Springbrook (25-2) erased an 18-point deficit to beat No. 10 Thomas Stone, 61-57, in the Maryland 4A championship game.

Fifth-ranked Millbrook, which opened in 2003, became the first school from the Winchester area to win a state title in boys' basketball, beating Brunswick, 53-43, in the Virginia AA championship game. The Pioneers finished the season 29-1.

Coaches and players from all of those schools almost certainly received plenty of messages after their triumphs. Gonzaga's Turner said everyone from parents to former players and other alumni have been congratulating him via phone messages, e-mails and text messages. Meantime, his players -- including standout forwards Max Kenyi (who has committed to play basketball at Harvard) and Cameron Johnson (signed to play football at Virginia) -- can enjoy their success this week during spring break.

"It's a great feeling," Turner said. "A great feeling that you feel for the kids, having that opportunity to accomplish everything they accomplished this year. Losing only one game and winning every event they participated in. It's a memorable season for the kids, a memorable season for the school."