Modesto Christian beats Inderkum in section semifinals to move within a victory of 3-peat
Jeremiah Bernard has planted three years worth of seeds in the Modesto Christian basketball program and he just reaped the rewards in the biggest game of the season.
The 6-foot guard was the difference in the Sac-Joaquin Section semifinals against Inderkum on Monday night.
He took over primary point guard responsibilities for the majority of the game, rebounded well and sliced through the defense, setting up scoring opportunities for the Crusaders’ big men. All while guarding the Tigers’ top scorer.
Bernard finished with 14 points and went perfect on his first four free throw attempts and added a handful of rebounds and assists to balance out a well-rounded night. He helped fend off any Tigers runs with driving layups and hockey assists on offense and timely defensive stands as the Crusaders won 64-56.
He averages career highs in points, rebounds, assists and steals for the team headed to the Golden 1 Center to take on league foe Lincoln-Stockton in search of its third straight Division I section title Wednesday at 8 p.m. For three years, Bernard was just a defensive force. As a senior, his offensive game expanded.
“In times like that, I know when they’re going to deny Gavin (Sykes) and Myles (Jones), we’re gonna need someone else to step up,” Bernard said. “I’ve paid my dues, it’s time to step up and be that guy I know I can be. I would work on my offensive game in AAU and I felt like in due time it would come out.
“It brings the team closer knowing they can trust me and I can trust them. I feel like that’s going to take us far when it comes to the playoffs.”
Bernard is a three-sport athlete. In the fall, he puts on the pads and has been one of the top pass catchers in the state for the past two seasons. In the spring, he runs track. Hoops takes up his entire winter. In college, for the first time in his life, Bernard will play just one sport. He is dropping basketball and track for the gridiron at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo next year. He was originally recruited as a safety, but after his offensive explosion the past two years, he said they will try him on both sides of the ball to see what sticks.
“My mom always told me don’t put all my eggs in one basket. Try everything. It works out,” Bernard said.
He uses the football background on the basketball court. Most guards struggle defending taller players, but Bernard embraces the opportunity, using his physicality to disrupt and frustrate even the most talented offensive players.
And then there is the leadership. Bernard is the only player remaining in the program from the Crusaders’ 2021-22 run that included a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I title, NorCal Open Division title and an Open Division state runner-up result. He has been through the fire and though he is not the team’s leading scorer, he uses his experience to help those who are new to the rigors of getting everyone’s best shot while making a deep playoff run.
“I’m just guiding the guys and talking through things, helping them stay calm in the big moments,” Bernard said. “It helps like having been on this stage multiple times and being able to talk to the guys and help lead them. (Telling them ) stay confident. If you mess up, next play. Little things like that to keep them positive because once you get to this point, every team is good, so you can’t expect to play an absolutely perfect game. It’s about staying mentally tough.”
Something new for the first-timers
Gavin Sykes did what Gavin Sykes does — score the ball. He finished with a game-high 19 points.
But it was a late assist to Marcus Washington that helped seal the game. Sykes drove right through the lane and floated a pass to Washington for a layup to give the Crusaders a 61-50 lead with 2 minutes, 38 seconds left in the game.
Points in the paint were tough to come by for the Crusaders, who faced an Inderkum front line with two players 6-foot-9 or taller and 6-foot-5 to 6-foot-7 wings. The Tigers played pressure defense, often picking up 94 feet.
“They’re definitely the biggest team we’ve faced. I mean, we thought we were big — obviously not,” Sykes said. “Adjusting to it early, we tried to space it out and get their bigs in foul trouble so just one of them is on the floor. … We tried to spread it out and get to the basket without them in the paint.”
Myles Jones and Washington also scored in double figures for the Crusaders, adding 14 and 11 points respectively. They, along with Sykes, have continued to improve and figure out their chemistry since becoming eligible Dec. 30.
“I’ve never gone before and that was a goal at the beginning of the season,” the junior said of reaching Wednesday’s final at the home of the Sacramento Kings. “We want to go past sections to go to state, but it’s step by step. We won league, now we’re in the section championship game.”
The Crusaders face the Trojans for the third time this season. Both teams play in the Tri-City Athletic League, where Modesto Christian was perfect for the second straight season. The Trojans finished second with a 10-2 league record. Both losses were to Modesto Christian. They are looking forward to the matchup and know Lincoln has improved since their last matchup at the beginning of February.
“It’s a dream, but we haven’t won anything yet,” Sykes said. “So we’ve got to stay focused and just go step by step.”
