Modesto Christian’s Ellis does it all in basketball win over Sheldon

Modesto Christian High School senior Christian Ellis scored a career-high 32 points, grabbed eight rebounds, shut down Sheldon’s leading scorer and played every second of the Crusaders’ 74-67 victory in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I semifinals Wednesday night at Sleep Train Arena.

Think college scouts might take notice now?

Ellis, a four-year varsity starter who has yet to hear from an NCAA Division I program, helped Modesto Christian fight back from a 12-point first-half deficit and into Saturday’s final against Folsom, a 55-37 winner over Jesuit of Carmichael in the other semifinal.

“I don’t worry about (a scholarship) too much,” Ellis said. “When the time is right, something’s going to come.

“We just want to play hard and look like the best team when we step on the court.”

Sheldon’s guard-heavy offense gave the Crusaders (29-1) fits early, allowing 6-foot-6 swingman Matthew Manning to score 10 first-quarter points.

Crusaders coach Richard Midgley switched his defense at that point, putting the heavily muscled Ellis on the Huskies’ leading scorer (19.4 points per game). Over the final three periods, Manning had just four points and was a non-factor.

“(Ellis) isn’t just scoring 30 points,” said Midgley, who has guided Modesto Christian to back-to-back section finals in his two seasons as head coach. “He’s shutting down their best player.”

Modesto Christian, ranked sixth in the state by Cal-Hi Sports and No. 1 in Northern California, whittled the deficit to five by halftime, and the score was tied 48-48 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Crusaders moved to a 61-54 lead on an Ellis putback, but Sheldon (22-5), ranked 14th in the state, scored six unanswered to make it a one-point game.

After each team wasted a possession, Darrian Grays nailed a three-pointer from the corner to make it 64-60 with just over a minute to play.

“The last 30 minutes of practice we partner up and shoot as many shots as possible,” said Grays, who scored nine points on 3-of-6 three-point shooting. “Coach always tells me that whenever I’m called on, I have to be ready for a big moment.”

Over the final 59 seconds, Modesto Christian hit 11 of 14 free throws – including the last eight in a row; Ellis buried the final four to seal the deal.

Sheldon’s three point-guard offense set the tempo early, with the Huskies pushing the ball up the court at break-neck speed and disrupting the passing lanes as the Crusaders attempted to pound the ball inside.

Ellis kept the Crusaders close with 17 first-half points – nine coming in the second quarter when 6-foot-10 center Robinson Idehen was stuck on the bench with foul trouble.

“There’s nobody like him,” Midgley of his 6-3 point guard. “Some may say I over-hype him, but he’s an animal. He’s the ultimate competitor and does whatever it takes to win.

“I’m glad he did this tonight on this stage, because I see it every day in practice. He’s going to be a special player for someone.”

The Crusaders will be making their 18th appearance in a section final in the past 20 seasons Saturday. Folsom, ranked No. 12 statewide by Cal-Hi, handed Modesto Christian its only loss, winning 53-51 on Nov. 28 at the Tip-Off Classic in Newark.

This story was originally published March 2, 2016 at 9:56 PM with the headline "Modesto Christian’s Ellis does it all in basketball win over Sheldon."