Modesto Christian pulls away to big basketball win over O’Dowd of Oakland

Modesto Christian and Bishop O’Dowd have collided over the years on the highest summits, including last season’s Northern California title game.

The Dragons of Oakland won the hardware that night at Sleep Train Arena but, nine months later, Saturday night was a rematch in name only. O’Dowd superstar Ivan Rabb has moved on to Cal, and the mood was light while Modesto Christian coach Richard Midgley and O’Dowd’s Lou Richie exchanged good-natured barbs, as good friends often do.

MC shook off a rough start to win convincingly 65-41 while Richie – Midgley’s trainer at Cal back in the day – didn’t fret over his painfully young team’s 0-3 start. When you’re the reigning Open Division state champion, you can smile after early season losses.

“He (Midgley) is family. If I have to lose, I don’t mind losing to somebody I care about,” Richie said. “We’re both coaching at our alma maters. It can’t get better than that.”

Mutual respect filled the MC Gym, and so did the turnover count – 52 of them, as the teams displayed some not surprising rough-and-around-the-edges form. Eventually, the Crusaders (2-1) and their five senior starters forced tempo and pulled away. It was MC’s second win in three nights after its 61-43 victory over Buchanan.

Guard Christian Ellis sliced through the O’Dowd defense for 16 points and matched the point total of 6-foot-10 post Robinson Idehen. Forward Josthin Dawkins, who boosted the Crusaders while they gained the lead in the second quarter, finished with 13 points.

O’Dowd, with its 6-9 freshman Raymond Hawkins seeing limited minutes, had no answer for Idehen. The lefty threw down five slam dunks, three in ringing succession during the third quarter, as MC built a 41-21 lead.

Idehen’s thunder, which featured 10 rebounds and three blocked shots, will be a constant this season. What he doesn’t want to continue is his 4-of-11 effort from the free-throw line, which contributed to O’Dowd’s 8-2 start.

“I was more comfortable as the game got along,” Idehen said. “The coaches tell you to relax and let the game come to me. I rush stuff, but we’re a running team.”

Idehen’s final slam, preceded by his leaping catch over freshman Will Chavarin, demonstrated his dominance. Modesto Christian scored in bunches, 14 in a row during the second quarter and 14-2 to start the second half. Ellis’ leadership will be leaned on as much this season as Idehen’s power.

“I’m confident we’ll buy into what coach is saying,” Ellis said. “I know we can’t come out like we did tonight. You should have heard him (Midgley).”

Midgley won’t accept 21 turnovers a night, even against top-tier competition, but he also will not throw back a 24-point win over a blueblood like O’Dowd. The Crusaders had not beaten the Dragons since 2013.

“I think we have too many turnovers and we’re not converting in transition as many times as I would like,” Midgley said. “It is a good situation to learn from a win rather than a loss.”

This story was originally published December 5, 2015 at 10:28 PM with the headline "Modesto Christian pulls away to big basketball win over O’Dowd of Oakland."