Modesto Christian surges in second half to beat reigning MMC champ Enochs

Enochs High School girls basketball coach Curtis Reynolds wrote the word “opportunity” on the dry-erase board in the locker room before Tuesday night’s game against Modesto Christian.

“Three years ago, every game was an opportunity for us because we weren’t very good,” said Reynolds, who guided his team to an undefeated league record last season and a Modesto Metro Conference championship. “Now that we’re somewhat established as a program, I don’t get to write that on the board anymore.”

With defending state Division III champion MC visiting Enochs for the first time as a member of the MMC, Reynolds had another shot to use his favorite motivational ploy once again. It seemed to work for a half before the Crusaders pulled away and rolled to a 67-27 victory over their hosts.

“Tonight was an opportunity for us to improve as a team and get better for the playoffs,” said Reynolds, whose team fell to 9-7 overall, 3-1 in conference. “I’d like to play them once a week if we could.”

What fans saw Tuesday is pretty much what MC (11-4, 4-0) sees all the time.

The Crusaders’ opponent du jour comes out of the locker room, certain it can be the team to upset them, only to play with them for about a quarter before MC kicks it into another gear.

“We’ve just got to play, no excuses,” said MC coach Robb Spencer. “But we definitely expected them to come out strong.”

Enochs trailed 16-9 after the first quarter and by a respectable 29-18 margin at halftime.

“We played our game to start, but our problem was that we were 0 for 7 on three-pointers for the first quarter and half,” said Reynolds. “It’s not that we were intimidated by them; we were outworked and outhustled.

“It was a positive experience for them, but to lose by 40 is frustrating after being within 11 at halftime.”

Crusaders guard Candice White led all scorers with 21 points, and teammates Nicole Warwick, Natalie Latour and Samantha Johnson had eight apiece. Junior Lailoni Gaines added seven. White and Lexia Bell-White each had 10 rebounds for MC.

“We’ve got to work on our first quarters,” said Gaines. “Our first quarters can get us sometimes. But after winning state and just being MC, period, teams really want to get us.”

Zakiya Williams led the Eagles with 10 points, while reigning MMC Most Valuable Player Akaysha Simpkins, who rolled her ankle in the third quarter, was held to two points and one rebound. Mia Viss paced Enochs with six boards.

The Eagles will play at Modesto High on Thursday at 7:15 p.m., while the Crusaders will visit Downey on Thursday before hosting the MLK Showcase on Saturday in Salida.

The showcase gets underway at 9 a.m. Modesto Christian with Merced vs. Modesto’s girls. Ninety minutes later, Excel Academy takes on Modesto’s boys, followed by a noon game between Excel’s girls and Weston Ranch.

Central Catholic’s boys take on Enterprise at 1:30 p.m., followed by Patterson vs. Bradshaw Christian in a 3 p.m. girls matchup. At 4:30, Patteron’s boys tangle with Bradshaw Christian, and Modesto Christian’s girls take on Sheldon at 6. The 7:30 finale features Sierra vs. Modesto Christian’s boys.

This story was originally published January 14, 2015 at 6:59 AM with the headline "Modesto Christian surges in second half to beat reigning MMC champ Enochs."