Modesto Christian boys clinch MMC basketball title

The Modesto Christian High School boys basketball team began its pursuit of a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championship by clearing its major first hurdle.

The Crusaders are the Modesto Metro Conference champion for the second consecutive year, and they clinched the outright title with another resounding victory over an up-and-coming large-school program.

Three players scored in double figures and the defense limited Beyer to 15 second-half points in a 75-47 victory Friday evening.

Modesto Christian (25-1, 13-0) will close the regular season Tuesday against Johansen, while the runner-up Patriots (20-6, 11-2) will look to rebound Tuesday at Downey.

Friday’s matchup of the conference’s two best teams came laced with intrigue, but the Crusaders left no doubt with a strong start and an even more impressive second half. Modesto Christian led 28-18 after the first quarter. Beyer clawed to within 37-32 at halftime, but the Crusaders pulled away with an ever-tightening defense.

Beyer averaged nearly 73 points over its previous four games, scored a season high in an 84-53 win over Davis and boasted a six-game winning streak. All that fell by the wayside over the final 16 minutes.

Modesto Christian, which vexes teams with its tempo and fly-around defense, shut down the Patriots over the final two quarters, turning this MMC title match into another rout.

Josthin Dawkins had 18 points, Christian Ellis scored 16 and Darrian Grays had 15 for the Crusaders, who have won 25 consecutive games since a season-opening loss to Folsom.

Modesto Christian has won at least 25 games in five of the last six years.

Beyer was paced by junior Brian Perry, who had 11 points. Ryan Frakes and Dylan Weltmer scored nine apiece for the Patriots, who have lost to Modesto Christian, the state’s sixth-ranked team, by 41 and 28 points.

Central Catholic-Manteca will decide VOL’s No. 2 seed

The No. 2 seed in the Valley Oak League will be decided Wednesday when Central Catholic hosts Manteca.

Both teams are 10-3, three games behind unbeaten champion Weston Ranch.

The Raiders (21-4) are racing toward a top seed in the Division IV tournament and can make one final statement to the seeding committee with a victory over Division III contender Manteca.

Central Catholic has won six consecutive games, including a 69-24 triumph over Oakdale on Friday.

Guards Amrit Dhaliwal, Cooper Wilson and Joshua Hamilton made two three-pointers each, and the Raiders held Oakdale to single-digit scoring in three quarters.

Dhaliwal led a balanced attack with 14 points. Jared Rice and Wilson scored 12 apiece, while DaRon Bland tallied seven.

Nick Moody scored 10 for the Mustangs.

The Buffaloes have won two straight games since a stunning 58-52 loss at Sierra on Feb. 5. In that game, Manteca surrendered a 15-point lead.

On Friday, the Buffaloes built another big first-half lead against a crosstown rival. Only this time, they didn’t let up.

Manteca finished off East Union early, taking a 28-13 halftime lead.

Junior Tydus Verhoeven had 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists, while 6-foot-10 center Anand Hundal had 12 points and eight rebounds.

Guard Dwight Young had 11 points and Nevada-bound forward Kenny Wooten scored 10 for the Buffaloes, 21-5 overall.

This story was originally published February 13, 2016 at 4:10 PM with the headline "Modesto Christian boys clinch MMC basketball title."