Modesto Christian basketball won the TCAL again. Is it enough for a top D-1 seed?
In the Sac-Joaquin Section, the Division I playoffs are the same as the Open Division in the Southern Section where the best battle for a blue banner and this year, the division is stacked.
Modesto Christian, Weston Ranch, Lincoln-Stockton and St. Mary’s dominate the southern part of the section while Sacramento powerhouses Jesuit, Sheldon and Folsom make for a crowded field in the northern part of the secttion,
Once again, Modesto Christian (22-6, 12-0 TCAL) has played one of the toughest schedules in Northern California, facing some of the best teams in the country.
They played traditionally strong Coronado of Henderson, Nev., state powerhouse Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks and nationally ranked teams in reigning Open Division state champion Corona Centennial, West Linn in Oregon, and Vashon of St. Louis, which recently beat nationally ranked Simeon of Chicago. They beat state-ranked Campolindo, Clovis West and St. Joseph.
The reigning Division I section champions and State Open Division Northern California regional champions have not lost to a team in Northern California and are the region’s top-ranked by SportsStarMagazine, NorCalPreps and CalHiSports.
Even in a deep pool, the Crusaders’ strength of schedule could warrant a top two seed in the division.
So, what could keep them out of the top two? In a word, MaxPreps.
The hub for all things related to high school sports since its inception in 2004, MaxPreps’ rankings provide a starting point for the Sac-Joaquin Section to reference when it determines playoff seeding.
MaxPreps operates on computer rankings when calculating strength of schedule. Modesto Christian has the third-best strength of schedule of any team in the top 25 at 17.1, but it arguably should be higher. It is punished by teams at the bottom of the league.
The team is ranked fourth overall in the section and third in the Division I tier, according to MaxPreps.
Above the Crusaders are Folsom and Inderkum. Both enter the postseason with 20-plus wins and unbeaten league records.
Jesuit is also listed above Modesto Christian in the overall section standings. The Marauders are the No. 1 team in Division II and end the season unbeaten in Delta League play.
The Crusaders also enter the playoffs perfect in their league, but unlike the Sierra Foothill League, Capital Valley Conference and Delta League, the Tri-City Athletic League has three teams in the section’s top 10. While they are not strangers to winning the league, it is the first time the Crusaders have gone undefeated in the TCAL during a full season.
“The top of the TCAL with us, St. Mary’s and Lincoln is as good as any league in our section.” coach Brice Fantazia said. I hope the section recognizes that.”
The Crusaders beat the Trojans and Rams, the No. 7 and No. 10 ranked teams by MaxPreps by an average of 17.5 points.
Modesto Christian’s saving grace could be the seeding committee which ultimately has the last say in who is seeded where, adding a human element while the computerized rankings of MaxPreps do not.
“We’ll go play anyone, anywhere,” Fantazia said.
