Phillips’ 30 not enough as Modesto Christian Crusaders fall to Inderkum
One of the most highly anticipated matchups in the Sac-Joaquin Section lived up to the hype.
After being rescheduled to Saturday, Feb. 12, Modesto Christian hosted Sacramento’s Inderkum in a tilt between two of the top Division I teams in Northern California.
Though both teams were missing key pieces, the matchup still featured high-level skill and had its fair share of highlights.
In the end, the Tigers had just enough to outlast the Crusaders, delivering Modesto Christian an 82-74 loss in the final game of the regular season.
“It was a very hyped game,” said Modesto Christian coach Brice Fantazia. “They’re a good team. They’re ranked number one in the section. I think we both wanted that playoff atmosphere going into the playoffs.
“I thought we played really well for having a couple guys out right now.”
Modesto Christian jumped out to an early 15-9 lead that was promptly dissolved by an Inderkum 7-0 run, giving the Tigers a one-point lead with 1 minute, 21 seconds left in the first quarter.
The Crusaders were able to draw even at 19 after the opening frame courtesy of a Jamari Phillips turnaround three-pointer.
The two teams traded blows in the second quarter but it was Modesto Christian who took a narrow 43-40 lead into halftime, powered by an impressive showing from three.
Phillips, who scored a team-best 30 points, hit five in the first half. Freshman Zeke Davis, who scored 16 points after being inserted into the starting lineup, added three from deep.
“Zeke stepped up and was huge tonight,” Fantazia said. “For him to step up in these moments, you know he’ll be ready for the playoffs. That’s why you play these games.”
The Crusaders were no match for the Inderkum duo of Jalen Glenn and Jermaine Haliburton.
Whenever the Tigers needed a basket, one of them scored, like clockwork. They showed range from three, but also got to the basket.
Glenn scored the majority of his game-high 34 points in the second quarter, while Haliburton took over the third.
The game shifted in the fourth quarter. The Crusaders were ahead 64-63, but with 5:14 left, Phillips picked up his fifth foul. A three-point play put the Tigers ahead 66-64, and they didn’t look back.
“It’s one of those things where we haven’t played without Jamari and Bj (Davis) down the stretch all year.”
Despite the loss, Fantazia said he was pleased with the way his team played. “I tell my guys, as long as they’re playing hard and playing together and we lose the game, I can lose like that,” Fantazia said. “The way we lost tonight, I can lose like that.”
Playing shorthanded
There were noticeable differences in the starting lineups of both teams.
On Inderkum’s side, leading scorer and three-star small forward Derrick Claxton missed the game with an ankle injury.
The 6-foot-5 senior averages nearly 22 points, eight rebounds and two steals per game for the No. 1 team in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I rankings.
The Crusaders were missing a combined 27.5 points and 10.6 rebounds in junior Bj Davis and sophomore Ty Virgil. Both guards are usual starters for Modesto Christian.
Players stepped up for both teams in the absence of their stars.
Glenn’s 34 were not only a season high, but also triple his season average. Jermaine Haliburton, who averages almost 10 points a game, scored 29.
Zeke Davis knocked down five three-pointers as one of the players Fantazia called up from junior varsity.
Senior Austin Moore saw extended minutes in the game as well.
As the playoffs approach, Modesto Christian is ranked the No. 4 team in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I rankings. Fantazia did not comment on when the guards will return.
“We will be better in a week because of these games,” he said. “They’re only gonna get so much better. At one point, we had three freshmen on the court in the fourth quarter. I’m proud of my guys for being in that moment.”
