Basketball playoffs: MC not a No. 1 seed? Will Bruins, Knights dream seasons continue?
Turlock High won a thriller in the girls basketball Sac-Joaquin Section Division I play-in game and Tuesday, it is the boys’ turn. Pitman, Turlock, Patterson and Riverbank all play various play-in games ahead of the boys’ first round games Wednesday.
Gregori High won its third Central California Athletic League girls basketball title and will kick off its postseason as the No. 10 seed at No. 7 Monterey Trail. In total, 21 Stanislaus District teams will compete in this year’s playoffs.
A seven-person committee met Saturday to determine playoff seeds that were released via selection show hosted by section assistant commissioner Will DeBoard and expert Sacramento Bee high school sports reporter Joe Davidson.
Championship weekend for boys and girls divisions will be Feb. 24-25 at Golden 1 Center, home of the Sacramento Kings.
Here is a look at some of the teams and notable storylines entering this year’s basketball playoffs.
Modesto Christian not a No. 1
To the surprise of many, Modesto Christian was not awarded the top seed in Division I. In fact, the Crusaders were not even awarded the second seed. The section’s seeding committee decided that MC was the section’s third-best Division I team despite it being ranked as the top team in Northern California by Cal-Hi Sports and NorCalPreps.
The Crusaders begin their section title and NorCal title defense Wednesday against the winner of the Davis at Oak Ridge play-in game. Should they win their first round matchup, they will faceleague opponent Lincoln, a team they beat twice by an average of 18.5 points, or Sheldon, which they played in their past two Division I championship game appearances.
The section decided Folsom, the Sierra Foothill League champion, deserved the No. 1 overall seed.
First round home games
Modesto Christian and Riverbank share the highest seeds of Stanislaus District teams on the boys and girls sides, respectively. Both No. 3 teams lead the slate of seven local first-round home games.
Girls
First-round games 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14,
Division IV: No. 12 Sutter at No. 5 Hughson, No. 14 Waterford at No. 3 Riverbank
Division V: No. 9 Westlake at No. 8 Ripon Christian, No. 13 Hughes Academy at No. 4 Big Valley Christian
Boys
First-round games 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15
Division I: Davis/Oak Ridge at No. 3 Modesto Christian
Division III: No. 12 Los Banos at No. 4 Central Catholic
Division IV: No. 10 Orestimba at No. 7 Escalon
Riverbank gets top 3 seed
Riverbank’s girls basketball team ended its best regular season in more than seven years. It is the first time the Bruins have won 20 games since 2013-14 and in winning a share of the Trans-Valley League title, they won their first league title since 2014-15. They like to play fast, pressing opponents and converting turnovers into easy layups on offense. Five players average at least 1.5 steals a game. With a No. 3 seed in the Division IV playoffs, the Bruins will host their first playoff game since 2014-15. They play No. 14 Waterford at 7 p.m.
Senior and 1,000 point career scorer Livi Fernandez, junior Chancis Gamez and sophomore Taylor Macias lead a balanced offense. Macias averages a team-high 15.6 points, Gamez scores 14.5 and Fernandez adds 11.5. Junior Rayne Tago also averages 11.4 points a game.
Downey’s historic season continues on the road
The Knights’ turnaround has taken them from a 2-9 Central California Athletic League record during the COVID season to 10-0 this under head coach Mitchell Evans. This season’s 22 wins are also the most victories for a Downey team since coach Doug Streeter led a 23-7 team to the second round of the playoffs in 2007-08, the last year the Knights won a league title. It is the program’s fourth league title in school history. In his third season, Evans has turned the program around and set a foundation for the future. Senior guard Lloyd French is one of the best scorers in the section. His 25 points a game leads the team and is fifth in the Sac-Joaquin Section entering the playoffs. He also leads the team in rebounds (9.6) and steals (3.5). Junior guard Reuben Lewis is a long defender who adds valuable contributions in multiple areas. He ranks second on the team in points (11.7) and steals (3.0) and leads the Knights with 4.1 assists.
Downey earned the No. 12 seed in a stacked Division I bracket and travels to No. 5 Capital Christian on Wednesday for its first round game. Should they pull off an upset, the Knights will face the winner of No. 13 Monterey Trail at No. 4 Jesuit.
Central Catholic looks to continue title game streak
For the past six seasons, the Raiders have played for a blue banner. In 2016 and 2017, they beat West Campus for Division IV titles and the past four years, they have played for the Division III title. They seek their first section championship since 2018 when they beat Beyer 66-56. The Raiders faced Vanden in the last two Division III section title games, losing both times.
Senior Malachi Miller scores 19 points and grabs eight rebounds, both team highs, and she has help. Juniors Tyler Wentworth (13 points per game) and Wesley Payne (12.2) and freshman Jordan Magana (11.8) are all threats to have big games when the team needs it.
Last season, the Raiders drew a No. 6 seed, but this year, the section decided they were two spots better. The No. 4 team in Division III shared a Valley Oak League title with Manteca and opens the postseason Wednesday at home against No. 13 Los Banos.
