MATT’S MUSINGS:

Jim Harris always seems to find the right perspective, and the longtime Ocean View High boys’ basketball coach did it again Saturday in Sacramento.

Despite a big fourth-quarter rally, the Seahawks had just fallen to Sacred Heart Cathedral, 62-55, in the CIF State Division III championship game. And Ocean View had various factors working against it.

One was that Sacred Heart had played in Arco Arena the previous weekend as well. Another was that Ocean View’s top scorer in the playoffs, senior guard Mason Jones, had been sick last week and was ultimately held scoreless in the championship game. But to Harris, there were no excuses, only positive thinking. At one point, he even borrowed a “We Try Harder” phrase from Avis rental cars.

“ ‘Body of work’ is a big phrase right now in the NCAAs, and I think that’s what we have to focus on,” Harris said. “I don’t think we should ever be ashamed to be No. 2. We strive to be No. 1 — everybody does — but there’s a lot of people that aren’t here today. We were proud to represent our school and the Southern [California] region of CIF.”

Ocean View was undone by missing too many shots, especially lay-ups around the rim when the Seahawks were able to drive the ball inside. Only junior guard Anthony Brown (six for 14) and Steven Yoon (three for four) shot the ball well for Ocean View, which ended up at 30% (18 for 60) for the game.

Sacred Heart Cathedral also owned a 50-35 rebounding advantage. In earlier games like the Southern California regional final against Harvard-Westlake, Ocean View was also out-rebounded. Harvard-Westlake had a 38-26 rebounding advantage.

The difference in that game, though, was that the Seahawks shot more than 50% from the field and made 10 three-pointers. When the shooting went dry Saturday, it was tough for Ocean View to compensate.

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HAVE FANS, WILL TRAVEL

The Seahawks should also be thankful for their fans’ support during their amazing run. Ocean View had more fans there Saturday than Sacred Heart did.

Ocean View High is 424 miles from Arco Arena, while San Francisco’s Sacred Heart Prep is just 90 miles away.

BACK TO WORK FOR MONTGOMERY

One notable figure in attendance Saturday in Sacramento was Cal men’s basketball Coach Mike Montgomery, presumably scouting the talented high school kids who had led their teams to the state finals.

Montgomery, the former longtime Stanford coach, even had a funny exchange with a fan sitting courtside.

“You’re not supposed to be here,” the fan said.

Montgomery quipped back, “I wish I wasn’t.”

Cal lost to Maryland, 84-71, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 19.

MATT SZABO may be reached at (714) 966-4614 or at matthew.szabo@latimes.com.