Expect chaos all around the state Tuesday night, as all boys basketball divisions will be playing regional semifinal games at once. Last year’s action included the unforgettable Mission-St. Ignatius game, so this year’s games will have high standards to live up to.
Open Division
#3 Modesto Christian (29-3) vs. #2 Bishop O’Dowd (26-5), 7 p.m. @ Laney College
Bishop O’Dowd’s five-guard lineup has done an excellent job defending and rebounding against bigger opponents, but Modesto Christian presents a new animal entirely. The Crusaders have tremendous size and strength in Gabe Murphy and Tsotne Tsardsidse, and Alex Merkviladze adds to it from the bench. With Cal Poly commit Junior Ballard and Dathan Satchell at guard, the Dragons will certainly have their hands full. O’Dowd showed on Friday that there’s a lot more than just Elijah Hardy and Naseem Gaskin, with four starters scoring 14 points and a fifth scoring 13.
#8 Folsom (26-5) vs. #4 Sheldon (27-5), 7 p.m. @ Cosumnes River College
Nobody expected a rematch of this thrilling Sac-Joaquin Division I semifinal, which Sheldon won in overtime, but with Folsom’s dramatic comeback on Friday to take down top-ranked Salesian, the two will battle to settle the score. While Folsom’s OT win on Friday drew tons of attention, the Huskies were also working extra hours to advance, with Dom Johnson scoring the winner in the final seconds of overtime. Both teams overcame double-digit deficits to win those games on Friday, something that Folsom did against Sheldon in that Sac-Joaquin game before ultimately falling in overtime.
Division I
#3 Mitty (13-16) @ #2 Las Lomas (29-3), 7 p.m.
For all the hostile environments that Mitty’s played in as a member of the WCAL, Tuesday’s trip to Walnut Creek may be the most difficult yet. Las Lomas is going to be an absolute madhouse. While facing a WCAL team often means getting acquainted with tremendous defensive pressure, often in harsh fashion, the Knights do have some experience in Nathan Robinson, who played the past three years at Sacred Heart Cathedral. They also beat St. Ignatius way back in November at the Prep2Prep Tip-Off Classic.
#13 Menlo (25-3) @ #8 Palo Alto (25-3), 7 p.m.
If you had Menlo getting this far after getting blown off the court in back-to-back CCS Open Division games, come on down and collect your prize. Keith Larsen’s team has put together an unbelievable turnaround since losing two games by 54 combined points, and it all starts with Joe Foley. Whether he’s scoring five points, like he did on Wednesday at Clayton Valley, or 21, as he did in Saturday’s win at Central, he’s done a fabulous job breaking opposing presses and facilitating the Menlo offense. Teams that key in on Foley have to find a way to manage to contain Riley Woodson in the post.
Palo Alto’s been hungry for this rematch since a December loss to Menlo in the championship of the Burlingame Lions Club Tournament. Paul Jackson III didn’t play in that game, as he was still recovering from football-related injuries. His development has given the Vikings another valuable guard off the bench. While both of these teams are known for smooth fundamentals, there might be some flair as well. Woodson threw down two dunks in the first half of Saturday’s win in Fresno, silencing the home crowd.
Division II
#5 Grant (23-10) @ #1 Alameda (26-5), 7 p.m.
There isn’t a lot of common ground to base predictions off of here. Alameda hadn’t played a Sac-Joaquin team until the first round of the tournament, which was also when Grant faced an NCS team for the first time this season. Grant’s 1-2-2 trap paid off in Saturday’s win over Riordan, and that sort of defensive intensity will be needed once again to slow down Benno Zizic and Ryan Cibull.
#3 Campolindo (21-10) vs. #2 St. Mary’s-Stockton (25-8), 7:30 p.m. @ Delta College
Neither of these teams are strangers to close games, with the largest margin of victory for either team so far in the tournament being just five points. It’s fitting that when they met back on January 6, it was a one-point game, one that St. Mary’s won. That win is the difference between playing at home and traveling for this do-or-die affair. Though another tight game is expected, there’s no telling who could be the hero, as both teams present incredibly deep lineups.
Each team has an excellent sophomore, with Carter Mahaney leading the charge for the Cougars and Jamar Marshall coming up huge for St. Mary’s. It was Marshall who hit the go-ahead free throws in Saturday’s win over Moreau Catholic.
Division III
#3 University (31-3) @ #2 Pleasant Valley (29-2), 6:30 p.m.
Though it’ll be a four-hour trip for the Red Devils up to Chico, there’ll be a lot of familiarity come tip-off because of how similar the two teams are. “It’ll be like looking in the mirror,” said University head coach Randy Bessolo. Both teams like to shoot from the outside and have excellent length. They even both have a star with an alliterative name, with University’s Spencer Spivy and Kevin Kremer for the Vikings.
#8 Valley Christian (16-13) @ #4 Central Catholic (30-2), 7 p.m.
Valley Christian was known for having a lot of firepower throughout the year, but what got the Warriors past Branson on Saturday was the ability to buckle down and grind out a tight win. That same sort of physicality will be needed against a Central Catholic team that makes a living out of drawing fouls and getting to the line. Even though Justin Kidd’s 3-pointer was the difference for the Warriors in their win over top-seeded Branson, it was the willingness of the entire roster to step up, take charges and do the dirty work throughout the game that gave them a chance down the stretch.
Division IV
#3 St. Mary’s-Albany (18-14) @ #2 West Campus (25-7), 7 p.m.
Even though both teams have tremendous athleticism and the skills to push the pace, this could easily end up being a defensive battle, as was the case for the Warriors in Saturday’s win over Calaveras. West Campus has a pair of fantastic sophomores in Quincy Taylor and Fred Burton, while Jason Roche represents the Class of 2020 for the Panthers.
#12 Liberty Ranch (26-5) vs. #9 Stuart Hall (21-11), 6 p.m. @ Kezar Pavilion
Liberty Ranch’s high-flying offense, led by sophomore Jalen Patterson (22.9 ppg) will meet a new foe on Tuesday: the Kezar rims. The old barn has been a nightmare for shooters for ages. Stuart Hall has some degree of familiarity, having played three other playoff games at Kezar this year. Freshman Nigel Burris took center stage for the Knights in Saturday’s win over top-seeded Santa Cruz, with the clinching free throws to cap off his 16-point performance.
Division V
#4 Urban (17-15) @ #1 Argonaut (27-5), 7 p.m.
Playing a low-scoring game against Hayward may be the exact kind of battle the Mustangs needed to prepare for Tuesday’s game with Urban. Considering what the Blues can do defensively, with Finn Conway inside and Nicholas Andino creating havoc for opposing guards, it could be another tight battle in the 40s or low 50s.
#3 Colfax (23-9) @ #2 Gridley (25-6), 7 p.m.
Gridley has lit up the scoreboard so far in the State Tournament, posting 68 and 74 points, while Colfax has held opponents to 42 and 45. Keeping the Bulldogs under 60 will be imperative if the Falcons are to pick up the win on the road. Colfax hasn’t allowed more than 59 in a win this year. On offense, look for Garren O’Keefe (20.7 ppg) to lead the charge for the visitors, while Gridley typically relies on a balanced attack.
