Salesian tops list of heavyweights at MC’s Holiday Hoop Classic

A year ago, the Modesto Christian High School boys basketball team debuted as the top-ranked team in Northern California.

The program was brimming with next-level talent that has, in fact, moved onto the next level.

Point guard Christian Ellis is starting as a true freshman at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, while forward Robinson Idehen is enrolled at Western Kentucky. In all, the Crusaders have six players from last season’s Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championship team playing at a two- or four-year program.

Even the coach, Richard Midgley, received a promotion. Midgley stepped down in August to pursue a scouting opportunity with the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks.

All of that turnover has created opportunity for a new cast, including former player and assistant coach Brice Fantazia, who takes the helm of a program that has reached back-to-back Northern California Open Division finals.

He and Midgeley “both played in Europe, so a lot of the same philosophies are there,” said Fantazia, who has added former Modesto Junior College assistant Jordan Jones to his staff.

About the only thing that hasn’t changed is Modesto Christian’s annual tournament, widely regarded as one of the top Christmas tournaments in Northern California. The 17th annual Holiday Hoop Classic, which begins Dec. 27, check all the boxes on the holiday tournament wish list: elite individual talent, marquee programs, strong local field.

Modesto Christian boat-raced Long Beach Poly in the final last season, snapping a 10-year drought between Holiday Hoop titles.

However, the Crusaders, with one returning starter (Darrian Grays) and nine underclassmen, aren’t the powerhouse of yesteryear. Not yet, at least.

That pressure and expectation belongs to Salesian of Richmond, a regular at Crusader Gym this time of year.

The Pride is ninth in the state and NorCal’s top-ranked team, according to Cal-Hi Sports. Salesian went 28-5 last season and lost to eventual California runner-up De La Salle in the first round of the CIF State Open Division tournament, 51-45.

That team featured 10 underclassmen, and all of that talent has returned. Salesian follows the lead of four: James Akinjo, Jamario Bibb and twins Jaden and Jovon McClanahan.

“Oh yeah, they’re the top dog in Northern California. They return the whole team and they went Open last year,” Fantazia said of Salesian. “This year, we have three Open teams (Modesto Christian, Salesian and Immanuel). Manteca won state and Berkeley was a state runner-up. I think this year’s tournament is as good as any, even with all the local teams.”

Fans will get a rare opening-day treat.

Fantazia has honored Berkeley’s request and paired the Yellowjackets with the Pride in the first round. In exchange for its participation, Berkeley wanted to play the best team in the field on the first day.

Salesian was happy to oblige.

“That’s one of the best first-round matchups ever,” Fantazia said. “Berkeley has college prospects, and I knew Salesian wouldn’t mind. They want to play the best.”

The rest of the out-of-the-area participants reads like a who’s-who of high school hoops.

Central of Fresno is one of the top teams in the Central Section and Immanuel, the defending Central Section Division IV champion, returns Darrin Person Jr., a Cal State Bakersfield commit. Clovis East has won 20 or more games in two of Adrian Wiggins’ three seasons and lost to Central in the Central Section Division I tournament.

Freedom of Oakley reached the second round of the North Coast Section Division I tournament

“The Holiday Hoops has been around for so long. Freedom has been in it for years. Salesian has been in it for years. It wasn’t hard to retain those teams.”

The fresh blood is mostly local.

Fantazia invited seven Stanislaus District teams – two more than last season.

Defending Sac-Joaquin Section and CIF State Division III champion Manteca is back. The Buffaloes no longer possess 6-foot-9 forwards Anand Hundal (Las Positas College) and Kenny Wooten (Trinity Christian prep school), but coach Brett Lewis has a wealth of talent at the guard position, beginning with postseason catalysts Tydus Verhoeven and Dwight Young. Verhoeven is a smooth 6-foot-7 playmaker, while Young is the Stanislaus District’s top 3-point gunner.

Beyer is also back in the fold. The Patriots are 45-12 under third-year coach Kyle McKim, whose success has been built around stellar guard play. Beyer returns sharpshooters Brian Perry and DeAngelo Dancer and post Dylan Weltmer.

Central Catholic won its first Sac-Joaquin Section title in 28 years and graduated just one starter, 6-foot-7 post Peter Hamilton. The Raiders, who open against Central, will be led by their guards: Jared Rice, Joshua Hamilton, Cooper Wilson and Amrit Dhaliwal.

“I got in for the competition,” said coach Mike Wilson, whose team recently scrimmaged Beyer. “Central is a very, very good team, and then you look at the second round, which ever way you go, it’s tough. I wanted in because of that level of competition.”

Rounding out the local entrants are: Ceres, which opens against Modesto Christian, the reigning Holiday Hoop Classic champion; Turlock, which draws Castlemont of Oakland; Delhi, a Southern League title contender with two interesting prospects; and Modesto, which replaces fellow Modesto Metro program Gregori in the field of 16.

Fantazia wanted to reward the local programs looking to boost their strength of schedule.

“Brian de la Porte at Delhi wanted the challenge of playing in the Holiday Hoops,” Fantazia said. “That’s why I have great respect for (Turlock coach Doug) Cornfoot and the people that want to play in this tournament, that want to play a tougher schedule. I wanted to give those coaches that chance.”

This story was originally published November 23, 2016 at 1:47 PM with the headline "Salesian tops list of heavyweights at MC’s Holiday Hoop Classic."