Showdown At The Golden 1 Center
The CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs have been fantastic from the start. The level of competition and high-intensity basketball showed by all teams throughout the course of the past week leaves everyone even more intrigued for the showdown that will be…
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Continue ReadingThe CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs have been fantastic from the start. The level of competition and high-intensity basketball showed by all teams throughout the course of the past week leaves everyone even more intrigued for the showdown that will be occurring at the Golden 1 Center. There have been multiple upset victories early on in the playoffs but now it leaves us with some interesting matchups who will be fun to watch.
Division I: #1 Sheldon vs. #2 Capital Christian
The #1 seed, Sheldon, has been dominant all season currently holding a 26-5 record with a four-game win streak. The Huskies have not let go of the gas pedal since the start of the playoffs, obliterating the opposing three teams by an average of twenty-three points. Arizona State signee, Marcus Bagley has been leading the strong Huskie offense and will look to continue there presiding performances against a tough Captial Christian squad. The Cougars of Captial Christian have also been on a roll all year long, controlling conference and remaining undefeated which carried to a forceful playoff showing. Captial Chrisitan has not met with adversity throughout the past couple of games as they are currently riding a twelve game win streak. This matchup will be fun to watch and both teams will hope to extend that with a Championship victory.
Division II: #5 St. Mary’s vs. #6 Grant
Both teams are coming off big time victories from Tuesday night. St. Mary’s win the battled against a gritty Jesuit group while Grant outlasted a tough Whitney team. Both these victories have been done at the opposing team’s home court. For St. Mary’s, they’ve been playing wonderful basketball after finishing 3rd in the Tri-City Athletic League. Grant, on the other hand, finished one seed higher, finishing 2nd in the standings. The passion that both these teams have been playing with will make an entertaining and close contest at the Golden 1 Center. With many players stepping up big time for their respective team, St. Mary’s and Grant have found ways to win the gritty games and both teams look to use the toughness within there group to come out with a Championship victory.
Division III: #1 Vanden vs. #2 Central Catholic
Not many teams have found a way to stop both Vanden and Central Catholic. Both teams have been a tough opponent to beat for the opposing team. Vanden and Central Catholic carry a rich tradition of winning basketball games, proving they can play against great competition. The Vikings and Raiders have an astronomical amount of playoff experience and look to use that during the Championship showdown. Vanden and Central Catholic dominated league, both with a double-digit winning streak, but only one can be named with triumphantly on Friday. Central Catholic will be looking to even out the series as Vanden won the first meeting between the two teams early in the season with an 83-67 victory at the Raiders homecourt. The chemistry and energy that Vanden brings have continued to make them a strong contender this whole season but senior point guard, Dayton Magana, and the rest of the Raider squad seek to end that winning streak and bring home a Championship to Modesto.
Division IV: #1 Sonora vs. #3 Liberty Ranch
Arguably one of the best teams in the state, Sonora, continues to develop and become a dangerous team. The Wildcats are currently on an eighteen game win streak. Leading much of the offense is senior captain, Austin Patterson, but he has also got a great amount of help from many others on the team. Sonora is familiar with Liberty Ranch, as they’ve matched up in the early sights of the season. Jalen Patterson and his teammates grabbed the victory during the first meeting as Patterson exploded for 42 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assist in the 86-83 overtime victory. The playoffs are a completely different scene from the regular season and are known to bring out the best of every team and with the atmosphere at such a high level, it will be one of the most anticipated matchups at the Golden 1 Center.
Division V: #1 Brookside Christian vs. #2 Bradshaw Christian
A team who has seen a lot of success this season, Brookside Christian looks to top it off with a big Champinship win over Bradshaw Christian. The Knights are the reigning Central California Athletic Alliance League Champs and looks to extend there nine game wining streak to double digits. Bradshaw Christian is a team who you can’t count out. Although they finished 4th in the Sierra Valley Conference Standings, they are a fiesty group who does the little things to win big games. With both schools having already won a Championship in the past, one of these two tough teams will look to add another.
Division VI: #1 Ripon Christian vs. #2 Stockton Christian
Like any other team, the journey to the Golden 1 Center was not easy. For Ripon Christian and Stockton Christian, they did not quit and grinded there way through a strong schedule to prepare themselves for the playoffs and it has paid off. After losing there final game of the regular season, the Knights bounced back with two big playoffs victories. Junior forward, Braden Van Groningen and the rest of the Knights have proven they are not afraid to play against anyone. With an 8-3 netural site record, the Trans Valley League Champs are in hopes to finish the strong. Standing in there way of victory is Stockton Christian, who only had one lost all season. For Stockton Christian, junior guard, Jay Araya, and the rest of the Eagles have demonstrated game in and game out that they will put on a show to prove they are one the best teams in the state. The Eagles are on a very impressive twenty-one game win streak. Both squads have had a very memorible season but a Championship would top it of.