Seely's passing puts Crusaders in cruise control

By RICHARD T. ESTRADA
restrada@modbee.com

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SALIDA — D.J. Seeley was the Sac-Joaquin Section’s leading scorer as a junior, pumping in 25 points per game for a 10-17 Tokay High team.

When he arrived at Modesto Christian for his senior season, it was assumed Seeley would continue to be a shooting machine. Not so fast.

“I found out last year that one guy can’t beat a whole team, no matter how much he scores,” the 6-foot-2-inch guard said. “You’ve got to have teammates around you who play the game, too.”

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Seeley definitely had those Wednesday night, as the Crusaders opened the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV playoffs with an 87-51 rout of Central Catholic in a showdown between private-school athletic powers.

Seeley had 24 points, hitting 10of 14 field goal attempts and all four free throws, but it was his passing skills that thrilled coach Gary Porter.

“I’ve been watching D.J. since he was a freshman, playing travel ball with Michael (Porter’s son who is now at Kentucky) on the Oakland Rebels,” the elder Porter said. “He’s always impressed with his ability to see what’s on the opposite side of the court and to get the ball there.”

He finished with a dozen assists, including five to Dabrail Henton (24 points) and three to Adam Watts (15 points). Henton usually was near the basket when he received Seeley’s passes, which explains why he hit his last seven shots.

“We wanted to come out and play well in this game, regardless of whether it was Central Catholic or anyone else, because we wanted to make a statement that we’re ready to go,” Porter said.

The Crusaders (23-4) are gunning for their 11th section title in 12 years — MC hosts Argonaut (20-8) in Friday’s quarterfinal — but Seeley says the Crusaders’ goal extends well beyond that.

“We’ve been waiting for the playoffs and we’re ready. We want to win a state title,” Seeley said.

Central Catholic (18-10) was willing to run with the Crusaders, and the first quarter ended with MC holding a 31-12 lead. By the end of the third quarter, MC was rolling with a 74-40 advantage.

The Crusaders’ quickness overwhelmed Central’s backcourt, as the Raiders often struggled to get the ball upcourt and had 10 turnovers in the first quarter. Central played physical inside, putting a body on 6-7 Reeves Nelson every time he entered the key, and it worked for a while.

But Nelson (15 points) blossomed in the second half, throwing down three rim-rattling dunks.

“We’ve got guys who can score points, so I don’t feel I have to score as much as I did last year,” Seeley noted. “I’ll pass up some open shots if I see someone closer to the basket, because I know the shot will be there later in the game.”