Beyer not fazed by No. 5 seed, focused on beating Grant

When the Sac-Joaquin Section brackets were announced, charting the course for 85 boys basketball teams spread across six divisions, mild-mannered Beyer coach Kyle McKim allowed himself a moment of rare emotion.

He wasn’t pleased with the Patriots’ draw in the Division II tournament. As the No. 5 seed, Beyer was assured only one home game – Wednesday’s first-round clash with Grant of Sacramento.

Should the Patriots survive, the top four teams in a 16-team bracket are guaranteed another home date. Beyer would have to travel to No. 4 Whitney of Rocklin if the Wildcats beat No. 13 Grace Davis.

“The second home playoff game, that was a goal this year. It’s why we played the schedule we played,” said McKim, whose team was 21-6 in the regular season with notable finishes at the McDonald’s Classic and Modesto Christian Holiday Hoop Classic. “It is what it is. You still have to play the games. Two home games would have been nice, but we have to focus on Grant. Being in the top five, it’s good. We’ve more than earned that. We’re just excited to go and play.”

McKim’s frustration wasn’t misplaced. There is empirical evidence to support his claim.

The Patriots are ranked third in MaxPreps’ Sac-Joaquin Section Division II poll, trailing top seed Sacramento and Whitney. Beyer also played a rigorous nonconference schedule, which includes a blowout win over San Joaquin Athletic Association champion Edison, a narrow loss to Valley Oak League titlist and Division III No. 1 Weston Ranch and a victory over McClymonds of Oakland.

The Patriots’ only losses in the last two months were to Modesto Christian, the sixth-best team in the state and a Division I title contender.

Still, a No. 5 seed?

“Our goal was to be a top-four seed. We wanted to be top four for the opportunity to play two home games,” McKim said. “But if anything, it puts more of a chip on our shoulder. We got a little more motivation at end of day to prove people wrong.”

Their first opportunity will come Wednesday against Grant (12-15), a program as gifted athletically as any in the section. Don’t be fooled by Grant’s sub-.500 record. The Pacers have beaten Division II qualifier Elk Grove and lost to Division I fourth seed Jesuit 61-58. The Pacers finished fourth in the Delta League behind Sheldon, Jesuit and Elk Grove.

“They gave Jesuit a heck of a game. They had a stretch where they beat Elk Grove and beat Monterey Trail, so you know they’re a talented team,” McKim said. “They’re 12-15, but that doesn’t reflect how good they are.”

McKim got a chance to see Grant at the McDonald’s Classic in December. The Pacers like to play at a frenetic pace, a style that suits the Patriots.

“That’s the advantage of being an up-tempo team,” McKim said. “We’re used to the chaos. We practice in chaos, and we play in chaos. We teach them to be basketball players. We put them in situations, and they have to make plays from there.

“We don’t scheme for anybody; we just try to prepare them to be the best basketball players they can be.”

Beyer and Grant also met in the first round of the football playoffs Nov. 16 in Sacramento. That night, Grant mourned the tragic shooting death of football player J.J. Clavo. Beyer joined other high school and community college programs in an on-field show of support for the family before kickoff.

After a few words by Clavo’s mother, Nicole Clavo, the Pacers ran wild in a 35-0 shutout win.

With a few football players in his starting lineup – namely cornerback Brian Perry, safety DeAngelo Dancer and lineman Dylan Weltmer — McKim insists the Patriots aren’t looking to settle a score. They have a singular focus: winning the scoreboard. The Patriots can’t let the playoff draw or the football connection with Grant distract them from that one objective.

“It hasn’t come up. I talked to my (athletic director) a little bit about it, but we’re just trying to focus on the game itself,” McKim said. “The emotion, that can actually deter you. We’re trying to stay even keel. When you put emotion into it, especially with high school kids, it can lead to some bad things.”

This story was originally published February 23, 2016 at 12:52 PM with the headline "Beyer not fazed by No. 5 seed, focused on beating Grant."