NorCal Open Semifinals - Saturday
- Thread starter jordan24
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If Blair isn’t available go with Folsom. They are playing great now and don’t know if De la has enough without Blair.
Salesian plays great team Basketball and has a fighters chance. If they bait Rencher into taking some bad shots which i’ve watched I like their chances but will be a tall order.
Salesian plays great team Basketball and has a fighters chance. If they bait Rencher into taking some bad shots which i’ve watched I like their chances but will be a tall order.
I like Riordan if Rencher plays under control and doesn't try to single-handedly take Salesian down. Last year's Open final vs Salesian he played his worst game of the year and I dont believe he scored. The Forum will be rocking / filled to the rafters no doubt.
If Blair isn't playing then I'd have to favor Folsom but if Blair is playing at 75% then I think DLS will beat them down and win by 10-15 points.
If Blair isn't playing then I'd have to favor Folsom but if Blair is playing at 75% then I think DLS will beat them down and win by 10-15 points.
As usual, most posters are focusing on the offensive side of the ball, ThR defense is stifling this year,… and their is the difference from last year.
#GetYourButterPopcorn&SeatEarly
Coach Mellis has his team playing defense EVERY year / EVERY game so we'll see if Riordan handles their pressure better this year than last year. DLS also known for their defense.
From what I understand, Blair is practicing and should be good to go for Saturday night.
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Wow, that Blair kid is tough!
I was there at DLS when he injured his knee last season... Looked REAL bad! They helped him to the trainer's table and worked on the knee. But not too long later, he was back on the bench, wanting to get back in the game... Coach (and trainers, I'd guess) refused. I think this was the game that knocked DLS out...
The trainers were right; Alec missed about 3-4 weeks of baseball, so the injury was at least somewhat serious.
I was there at DLS when he injured his knee last season... Looked REAL bad! They helped him to the trainer's table and worked on the knee. But not too long later, he was back on the bench, wanting to get back in the game... Coach (and trainers, I'd guess) refused. I think this was the game that knocked DLS out...
The trainers were right; Alec missed about 3-4 weeks of baseball, so the injury was at least somewhat serious.
Riordan's height and length on defense will also be a factor, just like DLS. Nothing easy down low.
I am Not going to debate Coach Mellis’ ability to coach up a team. His success & the consistency of Salesian speaks for it self. However it seems this year, he is Punching Up in every Category.
It’s hard to objectively argue with National, State, Sectional and even Local Rankings when they are consistently favored one way. Of course there is a “Punchers Chase” as someone very wisely articulated, but it would have to be the worst game TheR played all season. It seems that havent had to many of those this year.
The horses aren’t there for Salesian and TheR’s game approach changed. IMHO last year the approach was to out score their opponents, this year is an evolution of Stifling defensively & game planning offensively either their depth, talent & size.
#FrontRowSeatsHighlyRecomended.
It’s hard to objectively argue with National, State, Sectional and even Local Rankings when they are consistently favored one way. Of course there is a “Punchers Chase” as someone very wisely articulated, but it would have to be the worst game TheR played all season. It seems that havent had to many of those this year.
The horses aren’t there for Salesian and TheR’s game approach changed. IMHO last year the approach was to out score their opponents, this year is an evolution of Stifling defensively & game planning offensively either their depth, talent & size.
#FrontRowSeatsHighlyRecomended.
Folsom plays pressure defense very well.
DLS will have to stop the Folsom 3-point attack, man can they shoot.
Spartans knocked down a very Talented Salesian squad just last week.
Salesian will press all game and have such a knack for where the ball is going.
Riordan has all of the pressure; they received #1 seed and are expected to win.
Crusaders if they get through the Pride easily might show us all how gifted this 2025 team is!
Final 4 here we go!!
DLS will have to stop the Folsom 3-point attack, man can they shoot.
Spartans knocked down a very Talented Salesian squad just last week.
Salesian will press all game and have such a knack for where the ball is going.
Riordan has all of the pressure; they received #1 seed and are expected to win.
Crusaders if they get through the Pride easily might show us all how gifted this 2025 team is!
Final 4 here we go!!
“The horses aren’t there for Salesian”???
Salesian was up 2 with a minute left @ Gridley. Turnover. 2 missed FT’s up 2 with 25 seconds left. Down 1 and missed 2FT’s with a second left. If it’s close again I’m taking Mellis all day. Riordan hasn’t had a close game since December.
All 4 teams have the horses to represent NorCal.
You mention a great coach in Mellis, I think Curtin is coming into his own as well. Both put their teams to win in December at the Gridley and became an instant classic. But at the end of the day, it's up to the players to make the last shot/winning free throw. Was happy to see Rencher redeem himself after having the worst night in his HS career last year.
I see both Salesian and Riordan as mirroring each other as both teams rely on their defense, are deep and athletic. Btw - Rencher was rendered ineffective for most of the CCS Open Title game as he suffered a severe allergic reaction. I don't think he could even see in the as the swelling affected his vision and ended up with only 3 points. Yet Riordan still won going away by 26 points. Different team as they don't rely on a 20 point scorer - similar to the Pride. Should be a good one on Saturday at the Crusader Forum. For those who have never been there, it's a great HS Basketball environment! Is it Saturday yet? Good luck to all the teams!
Archbishop Riordan vs Salesian-Richmond - Basketball - Mar 8, 2025
CIF NorCal Boys Regional Basketball-Open Division
Those have been up on GoFan since yesterday morning. Meanwhile, DLS's tix are not.
DLS has this bad rep about releasing tickets, although things had been fine throughout the playoffs (My thought is maybe the CIF or NCS took over ticket releases)... But, here we go again.
Then again, maybe they are trying to find a bigger venue and can't release tix until they get it.
DLS has this bad rep about releasing tickets, although things had been fine throughout the playoffs (My thought is maybe the CIF or NCS took over ticket releases)... But, here we go again.
Then again, maybe they are trying to find a bigger venue and can't release tix until they get it.
I bought my ticket last night, should be one of the better games to ever occur at the Crusader Dome
Riordan has a talented roster no doubting that. And they have home court. But i think this will be their toughest matchup of the year in NorCal. Salesian doesn’t have a ton of shooters but they always bring the defensive intensity. And mellis has a preseason game at gridley to use for game planning. I got Salesian in a tight one.
Different team than December. Curtin can use Wednesday’s and the DeLa game last Saturday for game planning. This should be a great game!
I think that Salesian is down a notch from last year's squad while Riordan is better and playing at home. I got Riordan winning wire-to-wire. If Blair is right though - I wouldn't bet against DLS in the semis or finals. Time will tell...... I really like Mellis' and Schroeder's coaching so they might pull some Jedi mind tricks on Joey & his players...
Salesian already met and exceeded expectations. This year’s team has only one senior starter, only 2 seniors on the team. I still think they have a chance to win this game. Both Elias and Carlton are juniors.
Joey beat DLS a few years ago after winning the CCS Open and still had to travel to Concord even though they lost to Campo in the NCS Championship. Both Rencher and Blair were freshman.
Here's the Gridley Invitational Championship Game in December.
Gridley Invitational Final - Salesian vs Riordan
Gridley Invitational Final - Salesian vs Riordan
I am going with the SUM of all parts on the Debate of Coaching,…@TheDefensiveGuruOfKareem,@TheBigManKnowedgeOfTofi, @TheTexWintersOffensiveGuruOfPollat & @TheBestGameManagerOfTheR-Folklore
#TheFirstBannerToHang24-25’:”CoachCurtin’sCorner”🙌🙏🙌
#NewApproach
#NewAttitude
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The coaching is far superior at salesian. The proof is there.
The talent is far superior at Riordan.
This time talent wins out
The talent is far superior at Riordan.
This time talent wins out
“Patoto-Potato”,…two great Faith-Based programs with each having history, folklore & coaches
#GetYourButterPopcorn&SeatsEarly@TheCrusaderForum🏀🌈🌴🤙🏾
Speaking of double digits, it’s too big, too strong. Hoping Riordan comes up short to…tomorrow.
