The 2nd Annual Lyn Basa-Merza Classic is set for Saturday at Valley Christian with a seven-game slate that should make for an outstanding day of basketball. With teams representing three different sections, a mix of playing styles, talent ranging from sophomores with bright futures to seniors who have already signed National Letters of Intent, the day’s worth of games should be a series of battles that offer multiple state tournament previews.
Brookside Christian (5-3) vs. Palma (5-1), 11 a.m.
The opening game of the showcase features a Knights team coming off a berth in last year’s state tournament against a resurgent Chieftains squad that’s shown far more offensive proficiency than the last few years. Brookside Christian is led by junior guard Geronimo De La Rosa, averaging 26 points per game through his team’s first eight contests, while Palma has a pair of sophomores to watch for in Joey Finley and Nate Jean-Pierre. Perhaps the Chieftains’ most exciting player, though, is senior point guard AJ Suniga, who stands at just 5-foot-4 but is ready for any challenge. So far this year, Palma’s been able to hang with strong competition, including an impressive win over Northgate. Just as impressive was the Chieftains’ performance in their lone loss, falling to Dougherty Valley by just 10 in the championship game of their Scattini Memorial Tournament.
Prediction: Brookside Christian 67, Palma 62
Central Catholic (4-2) vs. St. Francis (3-1), 12:30 p.m.
Expect the Raiders and Lancers to light up the scoreboard in a battle between a Central Catholic squad that’s playing at breakneck speeds so far this year and a young St. Francis team that makes up for its lack of size with a barrage of 3-pointers. The Raiders lost a decent amount of talent to graduation and transfers but still have a pair of excellent senior leaders in point guard Dayton Magana (17.5 points per game) and Nic Sani (19.2 ppg). Freshman guard Jaelen Nichols is sure to turn heads as well, having scored 16 in a loss to Sonora earlier this month. St. Francis has only a small handful of returners, but senior center Ryan Daly has an exciting mix of physicality and athleticism, bringing the ability to flatten opponents with screens and the playmaking ability to wow the crowd with electrifying dunks.
Prediction: Central Catholic 81, St. Francis 74
Vanden (7-1) vs. St. Joseph Notre Dame (2-2), 2 p.m.
The Vikings traditionally play fast-paced, high-scoring games led by their combo of Takai Emerson-Hardy and Teiano Hardee, but SJND has a remarkable ability to slow teams down with a 2-3 zone that would make Jim Boeheim proud. The Pilots were extremely senior-heavy last year but have a few returning players that can help indoctrinate young teammates, including junior Elijah Palmer and sophomore Aston Korth. Senior center Chiekh Gueye’s long wingspan becomes especially useful by taking away the middle in head coach Don Lippi’s zone defense, which will be tested by Vanden’s rapid ball movement.
Prediction: Vanden 58, St. Joseph Notre Dame 49
Weston Ranch (2-5) vs. Branson (7-0), 3:30 p.m.
Don’t be fooled by the Cougars’ record. They’ve played in two prestigious tip-off events and the Gridley Invitational, with a game against Riordan in between. Lack of depth is a concern for Weston Ranch, but the starting rotation is so strong that only a few bench minutes are needed, and with freshman Kodey Weary, head coach Chris Teevan has talented reserves at his disposal. As usual, Branson plays phenomenal defense, having held all seven opponents under 50 so far this season. The Bulls are led by Peyton Mullarkey and Lukas Prongos and have rolled past most of their competition so far, only allowing two teams to stay within 10 points.
Prediction: Branson 55, Weston Ranch 51
Crespi (7-3) vs. Salesian (4-2), 5 p.m.
The Pride won the marquee matchup of last year’s Lyn Basa-Merza Classic, topping Modesto Christian in overtime, and they’ll have another high-profile game in the 2019 edition against a Celts team with a first-year head coach in Andrew Moore. Salesian has lost a pair of tight games to Capital Christian and Dublin but also has a 14-point comeback in a victory over Campolindo. With tremendous defensive quickness, the Pride are able to create turnovers against even the most skilled of opponents, and on Saturday, they’ll be facing a team with no shortage of skill. Crespi’s combination of senior guard Robert Power, junior guard Paul Davis and senior forward KC Anuluoha is enough to give any team fits, and the battle between Anuluoha and Te’Jon Sawyer in the paint should entertain fans of old-fashioned, physical basketball.
Prediction: Salesian 69, Crespi 66
Modesto Christian (3-3) vs. Riordan (8-1), 6:30 p.m.
A game that Valley Christian head coach and showcase organizer Mark DeLuca had planned for over a year, the Crusaders versus Crusaders matchup should meet the incredibly high expectations that have accompanied it in the buildup to the event. There should be a heavy international flavor to the game as Modesto Christian is led by Cal State Northridge commit Alex Merkviladze, a native of Georgia. He’ll be matched up in the post with 7-foot-1 sophomore Mor Seck, who hails from Senegal.
Riordan also has a pair of seniors from South Sudan in Chan Ngot and Riiny Riiny, who provide tremendous length and a matchup problem for opponents that focus all their energy on Nevada commit Je’Lani Clark and Sam Houston State commit Bryce Monroe. Monroe was the top scorer at the Gridley Invitational, with 44 in a win over Campolindo behind 18-of-25 shooting. At guard, Modesto Christian will counter with Michael Pearson, who has evolved from being one of many talented players at the position to the leader of the pack this year.
Prediction: Riordan 61, Modesto Christian 60
Palo Alto (3-1) @ Valley Christian (4-0), 8 p.m.
The event’s hosts cap off the night with a roster of three sophomores and two freshmen, with point guard Jaiden Paran and forward Jurrion Dickey wowing in their first month of varsity basketball. The Warriors also have some global representation on their roster with Chinese junior forward Jack Cheng and Serbian senior guard Aleksa Jovanovic, who scored 26 in a season-opening blowout win over Gunderson. Paran dropped 24 in that game and Dickey, a standout on the football field as well, threw down a monster dunk in his first varsity action two days later against San Jose. The Vikings are now led by Jeff LaMere, their third coach in three years, but he has a strong group of returners to work with. Matthew Marzano hit 10 3-pointers in Thursday’s win over Sequoia and Fresno State football commit Jamir Shepard offers tremendous speed on a roster that can fly up and down the floor while playing positionless basketball and emphasizing versatility.
Prediction: Valley Christian 65, Palo Alto 52
