SATURDAY CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Sleep Train Arena
Division I boys
FOLSOM 50, SHELDON 49
The most fireworks came at the end of the night, as the #1-seeded Bulldogs and #2-seeded Huskies battled back and forth in a down-to-the-wire game that ended in exciting fashion. Junior point guard Jordan Ford scored 18 points, including the eventual gamewinner in the final moments, to lead Folsom. The Bulldogs had two fouls to give in the final seconds, and used them to bleed away precious seconds as Sheldon tried to set up for the last shot. The Huskies mishandled an inbounds pass as the clock hit zero, setting off a wild celebration. The Bulldogs got eight points from Jared Wall and seven points apiece from Tre Finch and Josiah Deguara.
Sheldon was led by Matthew Manning's 14 points, eight points from Devin Greene and seven from Isaiah Brooks and Anthony Cook.
Division I girls
ST. MARY'S 78, McCLATCHY 55
The juggernaut that is the St. Mary's girls basketball team won yet another Section championship in impressive fashion, this time sprinting past the McClatchy Lions. The Rams were led by fab freshman Aquira DeCosta, who scored 24 points while grabbing 13 rebounds to go with three blocks and three steals. Teammates Naje Murray (14 points, seven rebounds) and Kat Tudor (13 points) also chipped in.
Gigi Garcia led McClatchy with 11 points and 13 rebounds, while teammate Jordan Cruz added 14 points.
St. Mary's won its 16th Section championship in school history, and eighth title in a row.
Division II boys
MODESTO CHRISTIAN 49, SACRAMENTO 46
In a thrilling game where the final outcome was in doubt until the last shot, the #2-seed Crusaders held off the top-seeded Dragons for Modesto Christian's 17th Section championship. All of those Section crowns have been won since 1997. UOP-bound post player Anthony Townes scored 13 points while grabbing seven rebounds and Christian Ellis had a game-high 13 rebounds for Modesto Christian. Teammates Jeff Wu and Jordan Hollins-Buckner each added 10 points.
Sayvon Hines scored 12 points to lead Sacramento, while Stephen Matthews and Christian Terrell each added 10 points.
With the victory, Modesto Christian now has won Section titles in Divisions 1-5 and will almost certainly be chosen to play in the prestigious Open Division in the CIF NorCal Championships.
Division IV boys
CAPITAL CHRISTIAN 72, LIBERTY RANCH 57
The top-seeded Cougars won their fourth consecutive Section championships thanks to a well-balanced attack and a very fast start. Capital Christian scored the game's first nine points and led 13-4 after the first quarter. After that, the Cougars dialed up the defense and cruised to victory against the scrappy #2-seed Hawks. Capital Christian was led by Justice Shelton-Mosely (13 points, five rebounds), Edward Ware (12 points), Zachary Chappell (12 points, eight rebounds) and Tiegen Jones (11 points, 12 rebounds).
Isaiah Halsey led Liberty Ranch with 19 points, while DeAndre Stallings added 15 points and eight rebounds.
By virtue of this win, Capital Christian will compete at Division III next year.
Division II girls
MODESTO CHRISTIAN 68, KIMBALL 31
The defending D3 state champion and top-seeded Crusaders took charge early and never let up in a dominant win over the #3-seed - and previously undefeated - Jaguars. This game was a contrast in histories. Modesto Christian won it all in 2014 and was going for its seventh Section championship in 12 appearances. Kimball, a relatively new school out of Tracy, was in its first championship game and only its eighth playoff game overall. Candice White scored 16 points and grabbed six rebounds for the Crusaders, which also got strong contributions from Natalie LaTour (12 points), Lailoni Gaines (11 points, five rebounds) and Meagen Warwick (nine points, 10 rebounds).
Kimball was led by freshman Raziya Potter, who had eight points and two steals before fouling out.
Division IV girls
BRADSHAW CHRISTIAN 74, BROOKSIDE CHRISTIAN 62
One of the guarantees in the Sac-Joaquin Section postseason has been the Bradshaw Christian girls basketball team. The Pride have yet to lose in a Section championship game, and this win over top-seeded Brookside Christian might be their best. Bradshaw leaned on point guard Erika Bean (29 points, three assists, three steals) and post player Jordyn Bell (16 points, 14 rebounds) to upset the Knights.
Brookside Christian was led by junior point guard Aarion McDonald, who set a D5 record with 38 points. She also had 16 rebounds and four steals. Her teammate Ry'kyra Gabriel chipped in with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Bradshaw Christian's career playoff record is no 28-2, with a perfect 7-0 in championship games.
