In matchup of two stars, Sonora wins second straight section title with balanced effort
Entering Thursday’s CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV Championship rematch, the matchup to watch was between the two Pattersons.
Liberty Ranch senior Jalen Patterson, who is second all-time in section scoring, against Sonora senior Austin Patterson, who averages over 20 points per game.
While Austin Patterson had a game-high 30 points, it was Sonora’s supporting cast that provided the difference as the Wildcats won their second straight championship, 70-57, over the Hawks at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
The Wildcats beat the Hawks 73-70 last year.
“Against Calaveras (in the semifinals), we saw how we aren’t just a one-man team and didn’t have to rely on him (Austin),” Wildcats coach Lloyd Longeway said.
Three other Wildcats (28-3) scored in double digits, including senior Darius O’Neal, who had 10 points and is the “heart” of the team, Longeway said.
O’Neal was tasked with guarding Jalen Patterson and although he had 22 points, he was 7-of-26 from the field and 1-of-11 from the 3-point line.
“I was just trying to get the feel of him and not allow him to get comfortable,” O’Neal said.
Austin Patterson did Austin Patterson things. He pulled up for jump shots, drove to the basket for layups, and was a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line.
He also led the team with nine rebounds and five assists.
“Everything just felt right tonight and I started to get in my groove,” Patterson said. “Making those free throws (made all 10 in second half) helped me get going.”
Patterson had 17 of his 30 points in the second half.
Said Longeway: “He’s did what he has done his whole career ... just win.”
After a Devon Dye 3-pointer, Sonora led 20-4 with 1:30 left in the first quarter. Patterson said the team was more ready than last year’s title game, when they were “nervous” and not energized.
Liberty Ranch used a 24-point second quarter to cut the Wildcats’ lead to eight at halftime. The lead dwindled to 44-43 late in the third quarter.
But, Sonora pulled away thanks to O’Neal, Patterson, and sophomore Callahan Hanson (12 points) and senior Jonathan Mayben (10 points).
“We played well the whole game,” Longeway said. “It was a team effort.”
The win extended Sonora’s winning streak to 19 games, one that started after back-to-back losses in late December at the Modesto Christian Holiday Hoops Classic.
It was the second straight year where the Wildcats had a long winning streak after suffering back-to-back losses.
“We hate to lose and grind at practices (after losses),” Patterson said. “Those practices were always tough.”
Sonora will find out its CIF State fate when the brackets are released Sunday.
“We aren’t done yet,” Patterson said.
This story was originally published February 27, 2020 at 6:47 PM.
