Modesto Christian’s Idehen, Ellis share Bee’s Player of the Year award

The contents of their gym bags have been strewn across the baseline in Modesto Christian’s otherwise empty gymnasium.

A set of cones, cookie crumbles, a portable speaker and loose basketballs add to the carnage, giving the impression these sweat-soaked basketball players have been camped out here awhile.

They have.

Two weeks after their high school careers ended with a disappointing loss in the CIF Northern California Regional Open Division final, Christian Ellis and Robinson Idehen – the Bee’s All-District Boys Basketball co-Players of the Year – continue to show up for predawn workouts.

The last-second loss to De La Salle sears through their consciousness, spoiling every attempt to move on. It gives weight to each dribble, each drill, each shot they take.

“The week after that loss was the worst week of my life,” Idehen said. “We do everything we can to win those types of games. I’ve never taken a day off. Every morning, we shoot. Every night, we shoot. We’re working on our finishes, our ball-handling, pick-and-roll stuff.”

On this day, the Friday of their spring break, Ellis worked on a pull-up jumper, diving around a cone near the free-throw line before rising and taking aim.

Idehen launched a three-pointer from the top of the arc, realizing he’s probably a stretch-four in the next jersey he wears.

“The day after we lost, I was back in the gym,” Ellis said. “I was mostly angry at myself. Whenever I lose, I think ‘Oh, I’m not working hard enough,’ or ‘I’m not good enough.’ ”

One day, they’ll appreciate all that was accomplished this season: a Holiday Hoop Classic championship, the first in 11 years for the host school; another Modesto Metro Conference title, while extending its state-record league winning streak to 156 games; and the program’s first Sac-Joaquin Section Division I banner since 2002.

That day won’t come soon, though.

“I felt like there was so much more we could have done. Enjoying it is hard when you have so many regrets about what happened,” Ellis said. “That loss … that part still stings a lot.”

When Ellis and Idehen came together two years ago, forming one of the top inside-outside duos in Northern California, the goal was to bring Modesto Christian its first state championship in 12 years.

They saw greatness in each other.

Ellis is a four-year varsity player who has developed under the watchful eye of coach Richard Midgley, who has posted back-to-back 30-win seasons. Almost by osmosis, Ellis has taken on the traits of his coach, a former Crusader and Cal guard. His natural talent is accentuated by a special drive and fearlessness.

Ellis averaged 12.1 points, six rebounds and 4.8 assists as a senior. During a four-game stretch late in the season, Ellis averaged eight assists to just one turnover.

“When I first got here and I saw Christian play, I was really surprised,” Idehen said. “I’d never seen that level of tenacity and toughness in a player.”

Born to Nigerian parents, Idehen arrived from Spain as a highly touted junior. At 6-foot-10, Idehen passed the eye test, but Ellis waited until he saw the big man move in practice to make a judgment.

“You never know what to expect when we have new kids coming in because you’ve never seen them play,” Ellis said. “I didn’t want to see his height and think this kid’s going to be a beast. I waited until practice.

“That first day, he fit in good and moved pretty good. He was pretty fast for a guy his size and could jump. I was pretty excited and knew what was going to come. He’s better than the player I thought he would be.”

Regarded by some scouting services as the best forward in Northern California for his class, Idehen was named the MMC MVP and averaged 15.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.8 blocked shots.

But like Ellis, he’s haunted by the season-ending loss to De La Salle. Idehen fouled out with minutes to go, leaving the Crusaders vulnerable on the block.

De La Salle’s Spartans won 41-40 on a drive by reserve guard Colby Orr with 4.9 seconds left. De La Salle advanced to the state final, where it lost to mythical national champion Chino Hills.

“We knew we could do everything together,” Idehen said. “It was all about winning state. We didn’t have a second option.”

The Crusaders commanded the state spotlight from the opening tip.

Modesto Christian debuted as the top-ranked team in Northern California, according to Cal-Hi Sports, and validated that expectation with a 32-game winning streak.

The Crusaders avenged their only loss – a season-opening setback to Folsom at the Prep2Prep Tip-Off Classic – in the section final, one of four consecutive victories over state-ranked opponents, and rose to No. 44 in Fab50’s national ranking.

A state final berth seemed within reach.

“Every year I felt like we could win a state championship, and we never closed it out. Every time it was something different, and every time I’ve looked at it like I should have done this or done that,” Ellis said. “Since Day 1 of practice, my thoughts of achieving a state championship have been high. I always thought we’d get one.”

And now they move. Two players connected by talent and expectation, predawn workouts and potential have reached a fork in their basketball journey.

They realize these moments are fleeting, and soon their friendship will exist in cross-country text messages and highlights on TV.

Ellis has committed to Southern Illinois Edwardsville, where he’ll play for former Cal assistant Jon Harris, while Idehen remains undecided. Nevada, Nebraska and Texas Tech are the among the programs reportedly interested in Idehen.

“It’s been a great run with Modesto Christian,” Ellis said. “I don’t have any regrets, except for that loss.”

This story was originally published April 9, 2016 at 4:56 PM with the headline "Modesto Christian’s Idehen, Ellis share Bee’s Player of the Year award."