Norcal Round 1 Tuesday 2/26 - Who you got?!?
SHC's Cedric Reed said it best when interviewed by the SJ Mercury after its upset win against Mitty:
“It’s the playoffs,” “League is over. It’s a new season. We’re all hungry. We want to win.”
Good luck to all the teams!
2019 CIF NorCal Boys Brackets:
http://www.cifstate.org/sports/basketball/B_brkts_2019/index
Open:
(5) Mitty (18-8) @ (4) Modesto Christian (25-7) - The WCAL Champion Monarchs make the 1.5hour+ trek down to Modesto to take on the tall and talented Crusaders. Modesto Christian is the D1 SJS Champ after beating Folsom this weekend. Both squads have played very tough schedules. What Mitty lacks in size, they present 7 guard/wing players avg 6-2 in height. All are athletic, fast, deadly shooters from the 3 and well-coached. Mitty's success has been narrow wins of which many were thrilling comebacks relying on their 3 point shooting. MC comes in with a very good balance of backcourt and frontcourt players. Their top players are a 6-7 SF and 6-8 jr. man-child at center. On paper, MC looks like the clear favorite, but having seen Mitty twice this season this game goes down to the wire. And if Mitty goes on one of its patented comebacks, wouldn't be surprised of a possible upset.
Winner: Modesto Christian
D1:
1.
(11) Bellarmine (20-7) @ (6) Moreau-Hayward (24-7) - Both teams have played SI with Moreau pulling out an OT home win back in December and the Bells sweeping the 'Cats in WCAL play. Both squads have good height and very good guard play. Bellarmine is the CCS Open runner-up and Moreau comes in as the NCS D2 Champion beating league rival Bishop O'Dowd. They come in hot. Does Moreau suffer flashbacks of Serra's upset wins from a few seasons ago? If Bellarmine dictates pace of play and keeps it close, look out!
Winner: Bellarmine
2.
(10) SHC (13-14) @ (7) Bullard-Fresno (26-5) The CCS Open Champion SHC Irish make the 2 hour drive to Fresno. Bullard is the D1 Central Section runner-up losing in 2OT to Clovis West. Both teams almost match up height for height and are athletic. Does the luck of the Irish continue? Does Bullard's homecourt prove the difference?
Winner: Sacred Heart Cathedral
3.
(9) Folsom (25-6) @ (8) Archbishop Riordan (18-8) Football powerhouse Folsom travels to the Crusader Forum to take on CCS Semi-finalist Riordan. Folsom is the SJS D1 runner up losing to Modesto Christian. The Bulldogs resemble a WCAL squad as they are well-drilled and coached and play a 4-guard offense with a 6-5 260lb athletic beast at the post. Crusaders play has been up and down throughout the season. The common denominator in their success has been been an uptempo attack with smothering D fueling their offense. The common denominator in their struggles have been their defensive lapses, stagnant offense/bad shot selection, losing 50-50 balls, unforced turnovers and a huge disparity in rebounding. Which team shows up? Interesting that the Crusaders are the only WCAL team to kick off NorCals at home. These teams are virtually deadlocked in rankings and points scored. Would not be surprised if this game goes to OT.
Winner: Riordan
D2:
1. (14) St. Francis (13-13) @ (3) Grant-Sacramento (24-7) The Lancers make the 3 hour+ drive up to Sacramento to take on the Pacers. SF has been hampered throughout the season with injuries. When fully healthy, they are a competitive team. Grant came in full of promise with virtually their entire team returning from a successful NorCal run last year that included defeating Riordan @ home. The Pacers are long, fast and athletic. The Lancers will need to slow down the pace and run their offense and most likely go to a zone defense to slow down Grant's high flying offense. Should be a loud and raucous crowd in Sacramento tonight.
Winner: Grant
2. (11) St. Ignatius (13-13) @ (6) St. Joseph Notre Dame-Alameda (19-7) - SI was playing very well up to last week losing a close one to the Bells in the opening round of CCS. 'Cats big 2 scorers Robinson and Begovich will need to outscore the Pilots wing Vaughns and big Campos. Both teams played Riordan with the Pilots losing at the buzzer at the Gridley tournament and SI splitting with the Crusaders with a decisive loss and a decisive win. Great reunion of former SI Coach and legend Don Lippi leading the Pilots.
Winner: St. Ignatius
3. (9) Serra (17-9) @ (8) St. Patricks St. Vincents-Vallejo (20-11) The Padres come in with a very rare 4 game losing streak...SPSV lost in the NCS D3 semis losing a close game to Campo. It must be noted that the Bruins have apparently lost their jr D1 prospect 6-10 Dishon Jackson for the season but SPSV simply has gone to a 5 guard offense with the explosive and high scoring Akil Edwards leading the way. Padres typically play like Tarzan at the Jungle, but will be the visitor tonight and hope not to play like Jane. Coach Rapp will have the Padres ready.
Winner: Serra