Modesto Christian hangs on, beats Riverbank

RIVERBANK -- Jeff Jennings could have selected five other teams for Riverbank High's Homecoming game Friday night, but he chose Modesto Christian.

MC has been the king of the Trans-Valley League since it joined in 2006-07. It has been one of the top programs in the Sac-Joaquin Section for two decades.

It's also The Bee's top-ranked small-school team.

"That's why we wanted MC, because it's a team that everyone gets up for," Jennings said. "Our kids felt they would win this."

Riverbank threw a scare into MC, never allowing it to get a comfortable lead, but that was as close as it got.

Sophomore guard Tyras Rattler had 21 points and a a career-high five 3-pointers as the Crusaders hung on for a 59-54 win between the TVL's elite squads.

It was the 99th straight league win for MC (16-4, 7-0), and the second time it beat Riverbank — the Bruins' (17-2, 5-2) only losses.

Third-ranked Riverbank won its first 12 before losing 70-53 to MC in the TVL opener. It then won five in a row, a streak that ended because MC hit its late free throws.

A capacity crowd of 1,500 tried to cheer the Bruins to a win, but Sam Onochie and Rattler hit two free throws in the final 18 seconds.

"I was happy to see us stay composed, especially shooting free throws with the crowd behind the basket trying to distract us," said MC coach Gary Porter, whose team also got 15 points from Onochie and 14 from Raymond Bowles.

"We played without our point guard (Mason Washington) and we have have just one senior, so our young kids held up well."

Bowles' acrobatic layup, which rolled around the lip as he crashed to the court, made it 51-37 with 5:25 left.

But Rolaun Dunham (17 points, three 3s, 9 of 10 at the line) and Alex Reynaga (10 points) hit back-to-back treys to spark a 12-4 run to make it 55-49 with 1:45 left.

MC forced a shot-clock violation on Riverbank's next possession, though, forcing the Bruins to start fouling.

"The kids weren't happy with a close loss. We're past that point where just playing good is going to make us happy," Jennings said.

"Great atmosphere, like a playoff game. What a great experience for the kids, for the fans. If we're more crisp on offense, maybe we win."

If Rattler's not stroking it from beyond the arc, Riverbank likely wins, as well.

"Coach says shoot if I feel it," said Rattler, a transfer from East Union. "We need to keep getting better, if we want to keep winning when the playoffs come around."