Modesto Christian returns to the top, beats Sheldon to earn record 20th section title
“It’s always better to win it in Division I.”
For a record 20th time, when the final buzzer sounded at a CIF Sac-Joaquin Section final, Modesto Christian was named the champion.
The Crusaders have won at least one title from Division V on up as they climbed the ranks to where they reside now, and will for some time: Division I.
On Saturday evening at Golden 1 Center, Modesto Christian (25-5) won its fifth Division I title, beating the Huskies of Sheldon (22-9) in an intense, physical game, 52-42.
“I tell people all the time with us and Sheldon, you could go play in an alley and it’s going to be a physical game,” said coach Brice Fantazia. “Both teams are going to get after it. “We knew what to expect, they knew what to expect … proud of my guys for getting the job done.”
The Crusaders got a bit of revenge. In 2019, facing a Sheldon program that owns the Division I section championship record with seven, they weren’t as successful, falling 64-61.
The two schools have played in three of the last four Division I section championships. Modesto Christian now has a 2-1 record.
Once again, the Crusaders were anchored by their big men against a much smaller Huskies team. Prince Oseya scored eight points, collected a game-high 10 rebounds and though he was credited with only two blocks, changed many more of Sheldon’s shots around the rim.
Oseya was helped out by his frontcourt mates Manasse Itete and Drevon Johnson, who combined for eight points and eight rebounds.
“Prince, Mana and Drevon, those guys are monsters and they’re young,” Fantazia said. “They’re still learning … but it’s nights like tonight where they step up and are the monsters that we know they are, and it all pays off.”
Jamari Phillips did what he does best, put the ball in the basket. The sophomore hit five threes and had a game-high 22 points, scoring 11 in the fourth quarter.
“Coming into half, I didn’t think much about scoring at all,” Phillips said. “It kind of just came to me. When I felt like I needed to take the shot, I took it.”
Junior guard Bj Davis also had a strong game, scoring 12 points and adding seven rebounds.
One of the few seniors on the team, starting point guard Alex Argandar was looking forward to playing in the championship after not getting in the game the last time Modesto Christian made the final.
“It’s everything that I thought it would be and a little bit more.” Argandar said.
Now, the Crusaders prepare for a run at a state title in the challenging Open Division, playing the best competition California has to offer.
Their first game is Wednesday.
“(Winning) section is just really one of our steps that we talked about before the year,” Fantazia said. “One of our goals is checked off. The Open Division is where we want to be. The only thing that Modesto Christian has never done in their history is win the Open Division and I think we have the capability to do some special things. We’re excited.”
This story was originally published February 27, 2022 at 9:15 AM.
