Modesto Christian boys can’t compete with Colts’ experience

With its season resurrected by the CIF seeding committee, the Modesto Christian High boys basketball team stormed the floor at James Logan High.

And then the Colts’ experience and talent won out.

The 14th-seeded Crusaders jumped out to an early lead but faded quickly in a 83-60 loss to third-seeded James Logan in the first round of the CIF Northern California Division I regionals Wednesday evening. Modesto Christian led 7-2 in the first quarter.

James Logan (25-5) will host sixth-seeded San Leandro on Saturday at 6 p.m. San Leandro topped West of Tracy 59-57.

After making back-to-back Northern California Open Division finals, Modesto Christian (22-8) slips quietly into the offseason without a title banner to hang on the wall. The Crusaders were prohibited from winning the Modesto Metro Conference, though they were 14-0, and then suffered early exits in the Sac-Joaquin Section and regional tournaments.

The Crusaders’ lack of depth and inexperience were exposed by a program loaded with college-ready talent. Modesto Christian first-year coach Brice Fantazia said as many as five Logan players could wind up on college rosters in the fall.

“Our inexperience was exposed,” Fantazia said, “but it will be a good learning experience for them. I think we’ll be one of the best teams in the state next year, so this will only help us.”

His confidence sits on a bedrock of talent, beginning with juniors Tyler Williams and Gabe Murphy. Williams led the Crusaders with 19 points, while Murphy outplayed 6-foot-9 Division I prospect Edra Luster. Murphy had 10 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots, and limited Luster to just three points.

“Our problem was our guards had trouble getting Gabe the ball,” Fantazia said. “He dominated that matchup. It was our guards that didn’t play well at all.”

Darrian Grays, the team’s season scoring leader, closed his career with 13 points. The Colts shadowed Grays throughout, commissioning 6-4 Jordan McGlory to be the stopper.

Though Grays had a frustrating night on the offensive end, Fantazia thanked him for his leadership and calming influence in a locker room lined with fresh faces and hobbled by devastating injuries.

“He meant a lot to this program,” Fantazia said of Grays. “I’m just so proud of how he’s grown. I know this year was frustrating for him, being such a young team and him having to lead us. But he’s grown as a leader. His mentorship will carry on with the younger guards over the next couple of years.

“Similar to what Christian (Ellis) did with him, Darrian has instilled a toughness with our younger guards that will benefit them over the next couple of years.”

This story was originally published March 8, 2017 at 11:32 PM with the headline "Modesto Christian boys can’t compete with Colts’ experience."