‘Survive and advance’: Crusaders narrowly avoid upset with OT win over Lincoln
As time expired, it was only fitting that Modesto Christian High’s Bj Davis was the one with the ball.
The San Diego State-bound guard dribbled the length of the court, weaving in and out of defenders to avoid being fouled before the final buzzer signaled the end of a near upset.
Lincoln of Stockton gave Modesto Christian one of its toughest tests this season in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I quarterfinal, but Davis and the Crusaders found their form, closing out the Trojans in overtime 60-56.
Friday night’s playoff matchup was one between league foes. In two Tri-City Athletic League games this season, the Crusaders won by 20 and 17 points, respectively.
“It’s hard to beat a good team three times and Lincoln is a very good team,” Modesto Christian coach Brice Fantazia said. “We didn’t play our best game, but you survive and advance and that’s what we did.”
Lincoln did its best to make Davis uncomfortable, sending double and triple teams at the lightning quick 6-foot-1 playmaker. In the first half, it worked. He finished the first 16 minutes with six points and the Crusaders trailed by nine at the intermission, 30-21.
“I was waiting for my moment when we go on our run, when I get my chance to come down and do my thing,” Davis said. “So it was really just (about) staying patient.”
When Davis’ moments came, he made sure to deliver.
A three-point play in the fourth quarter tied the score at 44. A three-pointer at the top of the key gave the Crusaders a 47-46 lead with just over four minutes left. A layup tied it at 51 with less than a minute left in regulation. And, of course, the block. As time expired, Davis denied a three-point attempt by Lincoln’s Elijah Holmes to send the game into overtime.
“I just tried to keep myself grounded and not get too high and not get too low. Just kind of stay right in the middle,” said Davis who finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. “Operating on that level really works for me. It just allows me to make the right decision for my teammates.”
The Crusaders took an early 7-0 lead, but the Trojans stormed back, taking a 14-13 lead into the second quarter. Quentin Thompson and Anthony Moore made their mark in the first half, combining for 24 points.
Thompson averages eight points per game, but exploded for 20. Moore finished with 15.
Lincoln was physical, fast and opportunistic.
“They got gritty and that’s what I would do too if I lost two times,” Fantazia said. “You have nothing to lose … and they had some guys who really played well tonight.”
Modesto Christian started to slowly chip away in the second half. Freshman Rashod Cotton scored all eight of his points in the third quarter and senior Jalen Brown five of his 14.
Bj Davis took over the fourth, Zeke Davis contributed a putback layup in overtime and Prince Oseya dominated the glass.
“The seniors were like, ‘We’re gonna win this game, we’ll figure it out,’” Fantazia said. “We’ve been playing great so you almost want to say you’re due for a game like this and you just hope that when you have a game like this, you’re able to win anyways.”
The Crusaders travel to face No. 2 seed Inderkum on Wednesday with a spot in the D-I championship on the line.
“My hat’s off to Lincoln, we’re gonna have to be better Wednesday night.” Fantazia said.
Boys Basketball
Central Catholic 57, Lincoln 27: The Raiders advanced to the section semifinals for the seventh straight season. After playing Vanden in the past two section title games, Central Catholic faces the Vikings on the road in the Division III semifinals Wednesday.
Venture Academy 87, Orestimba 42: The Warriors and Mustangs ended the first quarter tied at 12, but Venture Academy took over after that. The loss snaps Orestimba’s 14-game win streak.
Ripon Christian 69, Leroy Greene Academy 60 OT: Eli Terpsma (27 points), Jace Beidleman (18) and Luke Crivello (12) led the Knights in scoring in Friday night’s home overtime thriller. They advance to the D-V semifinals, where they host No. 3 Vacaville Christian at 7 p.m.
Girls soccer
Christian Brothers 1, Oakdale 0: The Mustangs’ historic season ended Friday on the road against the top-seeded Falcons. Oakdale finishes the season as Valley Oak League champions with a 17-2-2 overall record.
West Park 4, Ripon 3: Ripon pulled ahead, 2-1, but West Park came back to tie the match. After ending the second overtime tied 3-3, the Panthers won on penalty kicks.
