Idehen blocks Modesto Christian buddy’s shot to seal all-star win

Modesto Christian senior guard Christian Ellis, as brazen and clever with the ball in his hands as anyone in the Stanislaus District, operated in his comfort zone.

Which is to say, he owned the paint as he stepped down the lane for hoop after hoop. But in the final minute of the 21st Six-County Senior All-Star Classic – moments after he scored to keep his Blue team close – Ellis’ trademark sleight-of-hand floater was swatted out of the air by an old friend.

Robinson Idehen, Ellis’ 6-foot-10 MC teammate, did his duty for the Red team. He practically inhaled his buddy’s shot to preserve his team’s 100-96 victory Friday night.

“He fouled me, and hard,” Ellis playfully argued as Idehen stood close by. “I got a crick in my neck. Hey, this was supposed to be an all-star game!”

It was all of that, and about 700 at the Modesto Junior College gym clearly enjoyed the high school showcase. Idehen, the game’s MVP, flexed his muscles for 16 points, including nine in the fourth quarter. Ellis countered with 18, most during the second half.

Ellis is bracing himself for the cold winters of Edwardsville, Ill., where he’ll play for Southern Illinois-Edwardsville of the Ohio Valley Conference. Idehen hasn’t yet made a choice. Like everyone else, he savored his final high school game.

“The coach told us today, ‘Go out there and enjoy yourself and have fun. And at the end, try to squeeze it in and win the game,’ ” Idehen said.

Standing behind the north basket with friends was one of the game’s most curious spectators – Cal State Stanislaus coach Larry Reynolds. Two of his top recruits, Weston Ranch guards Jaelen Ragsdale and Fred Lavender, showed why the Warriors figure to improve next season.

Like the Modesto Christian pair, Ragsdale and Lavender excelled as opponents. Ragsdale scored 12 points in a performance befitting MaxPreps’ state Division III Player of the Year. Lavender totaled a high-flying 18 points and joined Ellis to anchor a second-half comeback.

The Blue, which also featured Sierra’s Jess Spivey with 13 points, turned a 51-42 halftime deficit into a 78-70 lead after three quarters. The momentum switched one more time, however, after Calaveras’ Jake Land (17 points) netted a three-pointer, followed by a crowd-pleasing throwdown by Idehen.

Sierra’s Daniel Wyatt, continuing the night’s teammates-turned-opponents theme, somehow refrained from passing the ball to Spivey en route to 16 points.

In the end, Idehen began with a win over Lavender in the slam-dunk contest and ended by rejecting Ellis.

“For him to be playing on a different team than I was on was weird,” Idehen said. “But it was real fun to run up and down the court with these guys.”

Girls celebrate with head-butt – So excited was Olivia Vezaldenos over Lailoni Gaines’ blocked shot, she raced to Gaines and connected with, of all things, an enthusiastic head-butt. And the two laughed.

“This was a game you should get excited about,” said Vezaldenos, the four-year star from East Union and the MVP of the Blue’s 61-50 victory. “I was having fun, and she (Gaines) should get rewarded for it.”

Gaines, the 6-foot soon-to-be Modesto Christian graduate, turned in her defensive gem as the Blue gradually pulled away during the third quarter after a 28-28 stalemate at halftime. Her rebounding and work beneath the glass complemented Vezaldenos’ all-around play that resulted in 14 points.

“I was waiting for it,” Gaines said as she recalled her shot-block. “It was the third quarter – gotta get it.”

Three-point baskets by Vezaldenos and Buhach Colony’s Kaelee Lynch opened the Blue’s 47-40 lead after three quarters. The Red rallied to within four points with about five minutes left. Another block by Gaines, who fed MC teammate Lexia Bell-White for a layup, regained control for the winners.

“It was cool to get out there with some of the girls I played travel ball with,” Vezaldenos said. “And it was cool to go out with a W.”

The Red was led by Golden Valley’s Stephanie Moore, whose Cougars went 38-6 since her transfer from MC, and Central Valley standout Mikayla Mabie. Both scored 15 points.

Lynch edged Livingston’s Tina Lao in an entertaining three-point shooting contest.

This story was originally published May 7, 2016 at 12:48 AM with the headline "Idehen blocks Modesto Christian buddy’s shot to seal all-star win."