Arco Arena Is No More

[Marcskit]

They finally put the wrecking ball to it today. I am one of the few who liked the old girl.
When I was writing for Norcalpreps I had my Media pass, so I had free range to go around.
The Press was treated to Popcorn, that was it. Pretty slim pickings if you ask me, considering what we offer in Gridley.
I got to have court side for the games, so that was part of the charm for me. Yup I was spoiled.
Lots of memory's there, so many great games.
I for one, and I may be the only one. will miss the place.

Here's wishing you great hoops

 

[ankleassassin]

sad... what a magical place that was for us kids from LA. Shout out to the dominance from the 'shaw, westchester, fairfax, and price.

 

[kiddman32]

Can't say I agree... the Arco Barn was only slightly better than the Cow Palace for basketball.

 

[larry legend33]

Lots of good memories watching the finals over the years. I didn’t miss many for quite awhile. So many great future college and nba players I was lucky enough to see. It was a dump in the later years. Let’s be honest. But I really didn’t care.
My personal favorite game was when oak ridge beat mater dei. And really smacked them. Coming out party for future nba star Ryan Anderson.

 

[HSWIZARD73]

Lots of good memories watching the finals over the years. I didn’t miss many for quite awhile. So many great future college and nba players I was lucky enough to see. It was a dump in the later years. Let’s be honest. But I really didn’t care.
My personal favorite game was when oak ridge beat mater dei. And really smacked them. Coming out party for future nba star Ryan Anderso

Arco was great to watch all day basketball from the floor seats. I missed out maybe 3 times on floor seats, one because we played so didn’t need a ticket and that’s when Chuck Hayes and squad took on Mater Dei and by the time we got back in the arena after a BBQ thrown by parents, had to actually sit in the upper deck. So outside of the floor, didn’t care to much for sitting elsewhere. But miss the ice cream. That mint chip was the bomb, twice on Saturday’s.

But first year at Golden 1 I had floor seats, and it just didn’t feel the same.

 

[M.C. fan]

sad... what a magical place that was for us kids from LA. Shout out to the dominance from the 'shaw, westchester, fairfax, and price.

Arco celebrated many years of fun!! High school Basketball Section Championships were held here. WE enjoyed the clanking seats, cow bells and unshaded parking. We beat Price in D5 2004. Did they dominate Arco? Crenshaw while dominating early 90's only played in 1996 championship at Arco, 1997 was at Anaheim Pond. Westchester Dominated 90's early 2000's winning 5 D1!! Since Open Division started 2013 has not seen a Los Angeles Section champion in Open Championships.

 

[ankleassassin]

Arco celebrated many years of fun!! High school Basketball Section Championships were held here. WE enjoyed the clanking seats, cow bells and unshaded parking. We beat Price in D5 2004. Did they dominate Arco? Crenshaw while dominating early 90's only played in 1996 championship at Arco, 1997 was at Anaheim Pond. Westchester Dominated 90's early 2000's winning 5 D1!! Since Open Division started 2013 has not seen a Los Angeles Section champion in Open Championships.

Price won 5 there. i guess that wasnt dominate. it was magic for me cuz it was my last game was there, but yes they dominated oakland colisuem as well. (crenshaw) as for the open division now.... well most families left LA to vegas, dallas and rancho cumcamunga/riverside. And Sierra Canyon/Centennial came along. it will never be the same just like oakland publics will never be the same.

 

[M.C. fan]

Yes, I see Price did dominate D5 for 5 titles at Arco. Give Branson Props for 3 titles at Arco.

 

[TurtleLoveCA]

My best memory was when the Nets and later the Trail Blazers came into town and BucK Williams got me tickets.

 

[laidbackcoach]

The place also provided many great Sac Joaquin section playoff games and memories as many of the semifinal and final sections games were played there over many years.g

 

[kiddman32]

Despite what I think about the arena itself, there were some great games and moments there...

My top two:

1) Jason Kidd's final HS game. St. Joe's got a good lead, something over 20 points, if I remember correctly... Mater Dei made a big comeback to get within 3 or so, then Jason took the bleep over. His last play: After teammate Adrian Ealy jumped in front of a Mater Dei Pass, Jason took Ealy's pass and threw it down with authority... 28 points, 7 rebounds (and who knows how many assists!) as the Pilots won 59-37,

2) Aaron Gordon's thunderous dunk in the NorCals his senior year. Passed from the wing to teammate in the corner, shot toward the rim, took the return pass and THREW DOWN!! Probably the most impressive dunk in CA playoffs history. Wherever that backboard may be now, it still remembers that day when Gordon almost ended its life.

 

[concrete17]

Nice highlights reel, Kiddo almost as good as being there 😃

 

[parkdale]

sad... what a magical place that was for us kids from LA. Shout out to the dominance from the 'shaw, westchester, fairfax, and price.

Westchester recruited with the best of them.

 

[larry legend33]

I know we all talk about the big games (d1 and open) but one of best games and atmospheres I remember was foothill of Sacramento when Sam Kirby led them to d3 title. Incredible game. They had a 6”3 silky smooth lefty on that team who was a stud. He played at OK I believe.

 

[Streak One]

The 2008 D3 game between Santa Margarita and Sac High was one of the most entertaining I've seen on the boys side. Klay Thompson and Chase Tapley combined for 72 points!

 

[larry legend33]

The 2008 D3 game between Santa Margarita and Sac High was one of the most entertaining I've seen on the boys side. Klay Thompson and Chase Tapley combined for 72 points!

Great call. Both were awesome players in HS and had chase had a great career at SDSU. He helped them on the map!

 

[jordan24]

2002 D3 State Title Game - Archbishop Riordan vs. Centennial Compton. Centennial was the heavy favorite with 5 D-1 and 1 future NBA player. Game was close throughout and in the 4th quarter, Riordan's Marquise Kately got rolled from behind and had to leave the game. He returned in the closing minutes to score the go ahead bucket and Riordan held on to win its first State title. Rich Forslund was the coach. John Tofi and Marquise Kately were Riordan's top players. Centennial had Aaron Afflalo along with Sterling Byrd, Gabe Pruitt and Saul Lankster Darius Sanders - the last 2 who transferred from powerhouse Dominguez.