Modesto Christian’s newest guards help power team to third straight Holiday Hoop title
Gavin Sykes and Myles Jones introduced themselves to everyone attending the Modesto Christian Holiday Hoop Classic championship between the host Crusaders and Vanden High on Saturday night.
The guard duo became eligible just in time for Saturday’s matchup as the Crusaders chased a record third straight Holiday Hoop championship.
Jones wasted no time getting involved in the contest early, knocking down a wing three in his first shot attempt in a Crusaders uniform. Sykes took a while to get going offensively but he scored in bunches, doing most of his damage in the second and fourth quarters and drew a tough defensive assignment in the second half.
“It felt amazing,” Jones said. “Everyone has those nerves before the game, so to get out there and hit my first shot gave me that confidence. It felt great.”
Crusaders head coach Brice Fantazia said it was nice to have the pair of highly touted guards on the court after they served the section’s mandatory transfer sit-out period. Sykes came from Capital Christian. Jones is a Folsom transfer.
The pair combined for 38 points to lead the Crusaders to their seventh ever Holiday Hoop Classic title, beating the Vikings 68-61.
“They’re both great basketball players, but they’re also great teammates and great young men that waited their turn,” Fantazia said. “I know it’s been killing them and they were itching to go. They’re going to do whatever it takes to help us win.
“Those two are just going to get better as they get more game rhythm now that they’re able to play again and get in shape.”
Though they have practiced with the team, neither played a game since last season, as both were eliminated in the 2023 Division I quarterfinals.
“You can prepare yourself mentally in practice, but in games it’s way different, especially in this environment and with what’s on the line,” Sykes said. “Once we get our second wind in the second half and you get adrenaline, that keeps you going.”
The Crusaders fell behind early in the first quarter. They trailed the Vikings 19-14 after the first quarter thanks in large part to the play of Vanden guard Tyler Thompson.
Thompson was at the top of Fantazia’s scouting report for good reason.
The Montana commit entered Saturday’s championship averaging just over 29 points a game during the tournament and was fresh off a 41-point performance in the semifinals against Mountain House.
The 6-foot-5 Thompson picked up where he left off, torching the Crusaders for 19 first-half points. He scored six points in a three-minute stretch, throwing down a pair of emphatic breakaway dunks and a dunk off a backdoor lob. He led the Vikings to a one-point halftime lead.
“He’s made a huge jump from last year to this year, you can tell,” Fantazia said. “I think Montana got to steal.”
Thompson scored a game-high 30 points and made 4 threes. He showed all areas of his offensive game, scoring at the rim, connecting on deep contested shots, stopping for midrange jumpers and sinking free throws. He admits his offensive game has continued to improve since his freshman season.
“Over time, my jump shot has gotten a lot better sophomore year,” He explained. “It progressed and got better. I’ve just been in the lab working on my shot, over time it gets better with repetition.”
Thompson is appreciating each minute he’s on the court in his senior season.
Last season during a Monticello Empire League game, Thompson fractured his tibia and sprained his meniscus when his knee buckled as he landed after attempting a layup.
“I was supposed to be out for six to eight weeks,” he said. “But I got with my trainer, got to rehab and I was able to come back a lot sooner. … I’m just happy to be back on the court.”
The Crusaders knew if they wanted to capture their third straight Holiday Hoop championship, slowing down Thompson had to be priority No.1. Sykes and Jeremiah Bernard took turns as Thompson’s primary defender. Thompson still scored 11 second-half points, but they were difficult.
“I thought Gavin and JB did an outstanding job on Tyler in the second half,” Fantazia said. “We were trying to have them take turns and give him some different looks.”
The Crusaders trailed 35-28 with 1 minute, 50 seconds left in the first half, but a 6-0 run to end the frame made it 35-34 at the half. They picked up their defensive pressure in the third quarter, taking a five point lead into the final frame.
The fourth quarter was the Gavin and Myles show as the duo scored 12 of the team’s 16 points.
Jones hit his first step back midrange jump shot to give the Crusaders a 56-53 lead and on their next possession drilled a step back triple to put Modesto Christian ahead 59-55.
Sykes did all of his fourth-quarter damage in the paint. Crusaders guards set screens for him at the top of the key, forcing the Vikings to switch and they took advantage. Sykes scored three layups and a free throw to help seal the game.
“Usually, to be honest, I’m more of an outside guy,” Sykes said of his skill set. “Coming here they definitely made me expand my game. This game, I only took one three and usually I’m getting them up. It was a little different, but that’s what won the game and that’s what I needed to do. I was confident. It’s just putting in the work and then finally just getting the show it and getting the win.”
The pair were just two of the Crusaders’ four transfers who became eligible Dec. 30. Ry Atkins and Marcus Washington were added to the rotation Saturday night. Jones and Sykes both started, joining Bernard, DreVon Johnson and tournament MVP Rashod Cotton on the floor for the opening tip-off.
“This was a team win,” Sykes said. “Myles was hot in the fourth then set screens for me because it was what was best for the team was definitely a big part of this. Our bigs, fighting down there and doing their thing. It’s not just a one- or two-player thing, it was always a team effort.
The Crusaders after being upset by Berkeley in their home opener have won four straight games. They play Laguna Creek Jan. 2 before opening Tri-City Athletic League play against Tokay Jan. 3.
This story was originally published December 31, 2023 at 9:46 AM.
