SACRAMENTO - A star-studded crowd that included the likes of Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen, former NBA player and coach Derek Fisher, and Sacramento Kings rookies D’Aaron Fox and Justin Jackson saw Cassius Stanley score 23 points, and Scotty Pippen Jr. add 21 to lead Sierra Canyon to its second CIF State Championship - this time in the Open Division – 75-62 over Sheldon.
“We wanted to slow it down, and keep the pace on our side, and we grinded it out,” said Sierra Canyon coach Andre Chevalier.
It also helped that Sierra Canyon outrebounded Sheldon 44-24.
“They killed us on the boards. They had a lot more size than we did,” said Sheldon coach Joey Rollings.
Kenyon Martin grabbed 13 rebounds for Sierra Canyon.
“We were called an AAU team,” added Chevalier. “I think we played a little better than that tonight.”
Sierra Canyon only led 56-55 to start the fourth quarter but that's when Pippen really got hot. He scored Sierra Canyon’s first nine points in the quarter, getting an and-one, and then getting back to the line for more free throws. Martin then came back down the floor after a turnover, scoring a fancy layup, and Terren Frank hit a pair at the line to push the Blazer lead to 67-60, putting the game out of reach.
The game started out as intense as a game can get.
After both teams hounded each other defensively, Washington got it going for Sierra Canyon with an NBA range three-pointer. Then he got a steal and drove in for a layup for a quick 5-0 lead for Sierra Canyon.
Chris Wriedt came back for four of his own for Sheldon. A pair of 3s for Katio Williams and Dale Currie gave Sheldon the lead, and then a high powered jam by Currie, prompted a response from Stanley for Sierra Canyon, wowing the big crowd at Golden 1 Center. The period ended Sheldon up 21-19.
More offense was forthcoming. Three straight fancy layups, started by Stanley, then countered by Xavier Brown, and finished off by Washington. Towards the end of the first half, with Sheldon leading 34-27, Sierra Canyon would close the half on a 9-0 run, highlighted by a Pippen three, and Stanley’s closing corner jumper. Sierra Canyon took a 38-36 lead into the locker room.
Sheldon shot 18 free throws to Sierra Canyon’s 6 in the first half.
Another tight period ensued in the third. Xavion Brown began the second half strong for Sheldon, and again the teams traded baskets for an extended period.
Finally, a 7-0 run for Sheldon, started by Currie’s three-point play and a reverse layup. He came back and did it again, and gave way to Dom Johnson to reverse layup one more time.
It was the perfect time for a media timeout for Chevalier, who drew up a play for Pippen, who converted a four-point play. Another free throw tied the game heading into the final quarter.
Pippen also did it on the defensive end of the floor, coming up with four steals.
“He’s been amazing for us throughout the playoffs,” said Chevalier. “He’s stepped up as a leader.”
“We played hard, and we grinded,” added Pippen. “We executed tonight.”
Sierra Canyon was seeded fifth in the Southern Section playoffs this season.
“We got disrespected,” said Pippen. “We had to come out and prove to people that we were the best team in the state, and we did.”
Sierra Canyon finished 27-4, winning its second CIF state championship.
Sheldon, after upsetting Bishop O’Dowd to get into the final, finished 29-6.
“We had a great season, making it this far,” said Johnson. “I loved my team this year.”
