Jones’ big night, team defense leads Crusaders to fourth straight Holiday Hoop title
Myles Jones called it one of his best quarters in a Modesto Christian uniform.
The junior Stanford commit and the Crusaders trailed Buchanan 29-25 coming out of halftime, but that deficit did not last long. Jones poured in 15 third-quarter points, knocking down 4 threes and converting an and-1. By the end of the quarter, Modesto Christian opened up a 52-38 lead.
“We need to put the game away,” Jones said of his mindset during the third quarter. “We need to execute our stuff, rebound and lock up on defense and control the game so we can secure the (win).”
One quarter later, the Crusaders finished off a four-peat, claiming the four-day Modesto Christian Holiday Hoop Classic title after a 65-54 win over the No. 21 ranked team in California.
Buchanan was just one of the handful of high-level teams from Fresno to the Bay Area that convened at Sisk Road for the tournament, which started the day after Christmas. For the fourth straight year, the Crusaders came out champions.
“Coach Orlich is a legend and he runs great stuff,” Crusaders head coach Brice Fantazia said. “I felt our guys were locked in during walk through and shoot around today paying attention to detail … and it showed.”
Fantazia has been proud of his budding junior star all season, but not for his scoring output. It has been the little things: the improved defense, his ability to play the lead guard and run the team and rebounding—things that will translate right away to the next level.
“I’m proud of Myles because … I think he felt like coming into the season, he’s got to score to prove to people why he’s going to Stanford. When he gets to Stanford, he’s not gonna be asked to score 20 points a game. It’s gonna be to run a team, play defense, and I really thought this tournament he did that. … And then when it’s time for him to take over and do what he can do, he did it in the championship.”
The Crusaders’ leading scorer on the season Gavin Sykes (24.7 ppg), a Long Beach State signee, joins Jones and Ry Atkins as the only returning full-time varsity players from last season.
Sykes is used to shouldering most of the scoring load for the Crusaders with games of 38, 21, 26 and 31 points this season. But Monday night, he gladly let off the reins so Jones could have his turn. He scored 12 timely points and helped with defensive and rebounding duties, mixing in attacks at the rim when opportunities opened.
“I was going to let him keep doing what he was doing, it’s working,” Sykes said. “It was his day I was like, ‘keep doing you, play at your own pace.’ I just want to do anything to win.”
Jones’ 15 third-quarter points were part of a 21-point second-half scoring outburst. He finished with a game-high 32 points.
“Guys like Gavin and Myles come to Modesto Christian to get ready for college,” Fantazia said. “A lot of it is not scoring. It’s can they become better rebounders, better teammates, better passers, better defenders? That’s where I’ve seen the most growth from them and that’s what I saw this tournament.”
To try to shut down the Bears’ top scorer, Conner Sheets, Modesto Christian called on a pair of sophomores: Elijah Payne and Trevor Dickson.
Both guards took the assignment head on. Payne, standing 6-foot-4, started on Sheets in an effort to guard the 6-foot senior with length. Dickson, at 6-foot-1, guarded him with speed and physicality.
“I thought our defense was elite tonight,” Fantazia said. “Credit to Conner Sheets, he hit some tough shots that you just shake your head and tip your hat.”
Neither got discouraged when Sheets went off for 18 first-half points with 13 in the second quarter alone. Instead, they dug deeper. Dickson spent most of the second half on Sheets and gave up just seven points in the third and fourth.
“Today was their biggest game on defense,” Sykes said. “(The coaches) were on them about that in the beginning of the year and then for both of them to guard their best player was a really big jump.”
Both are in the Crusaders’ starting lineup and space the floor with elite shooting ability, swipe steals and grab rebounds with some of the best in their class. Payne knocked down four threes Monday and Dickson added one. Both were named to the All-Tournament team. Payne also had a 20-point outing against Mountain House and Dickson had 15 points with 5 threes in the semifinals against Clovis East.
They have already impressed the vets. Sykes and Jones speak highly of the two, along with the many other freshmen and sophomores who join them on the big stage.
“It’s not easy playing in an environment like this,” Jones said. “I think their mentality has been strong too. … It takes mental toughness to always stay ready and I feel like they’re staying ready.”
This story was originally published December 31, 2024 at 8:26 AM.
