Modesto Christian getting boost from key bench players in Holiday Hoop Classic

Nico Rojas Rojas exploded along the baseline and took flight toward the rim, cocking the ball back behind his head.

The crowd gasped as Modesto Christian’s 6-foot-4 reserve tried to posterize Manteca’s prized prospect, 6-9 Kenny Wooten, bound for Nevada next fall.

The dunk never materialized. Wooten met Rojas Rojas at the rim, breaking up the play with his body. Rojas Rojas earned two free throws, but more importantly, he earned the confidence of his coach moving forward.

While Modesto Christian chases glory at the 16th annual Holiday Hoop Classic, the ultimate objective at the north end of Sisk Road remains Sac-Joaquin Section and CIF state championships.

To achieve those goals, coach Richard Midgley knows he’s going to need more than his all-star pairing on the low block – 6-10 forward Robinson Idehen and 6-4 Josthin Dawkins.

The Crusaders, who began the season ranked No. 1 in Northern California by Cal-Hi Sports, will need takeover performances from bench players like Rojas Rojas, who delivered a season-best effort during Monday night’s 59-43 victory over Manteca.

“That was the best he’s played all year, without a doubt,” Midgley said. “Usually, we put him in to give Josthin and Robinson a break. He played so well, it was like, ‘Let him play.’ He’s done it in practice but never in a game. For such a big stage, for him to play so well, it was good for us and his confidence.”

Rojas Rojas had eight points and four rebounds on 3-of-3 shooting in 15 minutes, and he helped limit the Buffaloes’ twin towers – Wooten and 6-9 Anand Hundal – to three points over the final 16 minutes.

He also had a putback at the third-quarter buzzer to fuel Modesto Christian’s final kick, but it was Rojas Rojas’ attempted dunk that caught his coach’s eye.

“For anyone, we want their maximum effort. Nico’s going up against Robinson every day in practice, so the size … he sees it every day in practice,” Midgley said. “When he tried to dunk on Wooten, for me, it was a mindset. He was ready to play. The fact that he even attempted it showed his aggressiveness and where his mind was at for the game.”

On Tuesday, Modesto Christian advanced to the final of its event for the third time in four years by wrangling Salesian 68-56. Idehen once again took the lead in the win, scoring 21 points with 13 rebounds and six blocked shots, but Midgley has a developing rotation of big men behind he and Dawkins.

Along with Rojas Rojas, who had six points and three rebounds in 17 minutes Tuesday, Modesto Christian has worked sophomore Gabe Murphy and senior Juan Morales Vargas into the mix at the Holiday Hoop Classic.

Vargas is still playing his way into basketball form after tearing his right ACL. He wore a bulky brace during a 73-30 victory over Turlock in the first round and finished Tuesday’s win on the floor.

Midgley has high hopes for Murphy, a 6-7 center who has shed 35 pounds since the summer. Murphy’s maturation has been stark. He was a bench player for the Crusaders’ junior varsity team as a freshman.

Today, he’s commanding minutes at the varsity level against some of the state’s top competition. Murphy is Midgley’s first option when Idehen is in foul trouble.

“He’s the future. He’s going to be a big part of everything next year,” Midgley said. “He’s working to make himself a big part of things this year. He had a goal of making varsity, and his commitment then to now, with our workouts and his own, I’ve been impressed with him. I’m proud of the work he’s done.”

Murphy had six points and five rebounds against Turlock, and two points and three rebounds in eight minutes against the Buffaloes.

“I don’t want to say Gabe has been a surprise, but he’s worked his butt off to get in shape,” Midgley said. “He was a bench player for the junior varsity a year ago, and now he’s in the rotation for varsity as a sophomore. He’s put himself in that position, and he warrants more minutes by the way he’s worked and the way he’s playing.”

Murphy is motivated by the naysayers in his past and the memory of his late grandfather, James Ray Mullins.

“My grandpa wanted me to be the best man I could be,” Murphy said. “Plus, there have been a lot of people who said I couldn’t do this ... that I couldn’t be a good player. I wanted to prove them wrong.”

They all have, Midgley says, referring to his group of backup bigs, and the proof is in the minutes.

This story was originally published December 29, 2015 at 7:42 PM with the headline "Modesto Christian getting boost from key bench players in Holiday Hoop Classic."