SoCalHoops CIF State Tournament News

CIF NorCal Boys Regional Finals:
All The Details--(Mar. 12,  2000)

These are not, of course, all the details from the Regional Finals which were played yesterday at the Arco Arena(in the case of D-I, II and III) and at the Delta Center in Stockton (in the case of D-IV and V),  but just those we could locate and find the time to write about given all the stuff happening this weekend (State Playoffs, Rockfish, Double Pump Shootout, etc). 

Boys Northern Regionals

Scores at a glance:

Division I Boys NorCal Regional Championship

De La Salle 44, Jesuit 36--Considering the absolute muggings De La Salle High School has administered on playoff opponents the last month, the Jesuit Marauders can take solace in the knowledge that they gave one of the top defensive teams in state history a fight to the finish. The Marauders even flirted with the chance of an upset before falling to the top-seeded Spartans 44-36 in the Northern California Division I championship game before an energized crowd of 11,593 at Arco Arena on Saturday night. De La Salle, ranked No. 3 in the state, put on yet another textbook clinic on how to shut down thy opponent. In an era of high school players flying up and down the floor with little disdain for stopping the other team, the Spartans of Concord have pieced together a 26-game winning streak by refusing to allow teams to breathe. That tactic earned De La Salle a shot at a state title in next Saturday's championship game, also at Arco Arena, against Southern California champion Clovis West of Fresno. The Golden Eagles beat Mater Dei of Santa Ana 71-64. Jesuit liked its chances because guards Cedrick Barrow and Roy Stigall have stretched defenses all season. Not this time. When they tried to drive the baseline, defenders slid their feet and kept pace. When they attempted to go down the lane, bodies were waiting. A bolt upcourt for easy outlet passes was greeted by green jerseys already there. Stigall was so rattled at one point that he air-balled a free throw in the first half. Shut out in the first half, Stigall and Barrow combined for six points on 3-of-23 shooting.  The Spartans (30-1) had allowed no more than 28 points in each of their last four playoff games. Jesuit trailed 25-13 at the half but tenaciously persevered. The Marauders finally found some holes in the defense and continued their strong board play, which they dominated 41-23. Maurice Tyree, who was impressive with 16 points and 11 rebounds, scored inside, and Barrow drove for a basket to cut the deficit to 36-27 with 16 seconds left in the third quarter. A Matt Gutierrez putback at the third-quarter buzzer pushed De La Salle ahead 38-27. Phil Rasmussen hit a three-pointer to pull Jesuit within 40-30 with 4:58 to play, then went down and out with a grossly dislocated thumb on his non-shooting hand. The 6-foot-7 junior, who scored 20 points in a semifinal victory over Bishop O'Dowd of Oakland on Friday, was sorely missed down the stretch because no other Marauders could hit from outside. He finished with eight points. The Marauders held the Spartans to one field goal in the first five minutes of the fourth. When Kelly Micco came off the bench to hit two free throws and toss in an offensive rebound, Jesuit was within 40-36 with 1:44 left. Jesuit had a chance to get within two, but two offensive tips just missed. De La Salle iced the game with free throws to claim its second NorCal title, both at the expense of the Marauders. Jesuit won NorCal titles in 1993-94 with two of the best teams the area has ever seen. This team certainly rates among the best in the area in the last 10 years, thanks to the efforts of seniors such as Barrow, Stigall, Micco, Joe Elftmann, Ryan Parilo, Grant Johnson and John Riehl. Rasmussen and Tyree will return, and they're sure to give teams fits with their skills. For now, Jesuit is left to wonder what more it could have done.

Division II Boys SoCal Regional Championship

Newark Memorial 55, St. Francis 46--In St. Francis' previous three games, it was the Lancers' ability to sink the clutch shot that catapulted them into the Northern California Division II championship game. In a complete turnabout Saturday, it was the Lancers' inability to score in the game's closing minutes that cost them a trip to the state title game. The Lancers (27-5) did not make a field goal in their final eight possessions as Newark Memorial (32-0) defeated St. Francis 55-46 at Arco Arena. Trailing 46-44 with 2:17 left, St. Francis went cold. The Lancers missed their final five shots and turned the ball over three times, including once on an offensive foul. St. Francis senior forward Chase Lyman, who played a pivotal role in the Lancers' first two NorCal tournament wins, could not muster similar heroics. With St. Francis behind 48-44, the 6-foot-3 senior missed a short jumper with 40 seconds remaining.Lyman was not alone. The Lancers made just 15 of 58 field-goal attempts against Newark Memorial, including a 3-of-21 performance from three-point range. When the Lancers faltered down the stretch and they began fouling Newark Memorial made each trip to the free-throw line count. The Cougars made 9 of 10 free throws in the final minute to preserve the victory. What made the Cougars' victory more impressive was that their two scoring leaders, senior forwards Matt Rasmussen and Marquin Chandler, fouled out in the second half. Rasmussen picked up four fouls in the first half and sat out the entire third quarter. Chandler, who had three fouls in the first half, fouled out in the third quarter. Newark Memorial took an early 20-9 lead behind the shooting of Rasmussen. The 6-foot-5 forward scored the Cougars' first 11 points. But he was called for his fourth foul with 58 seconds left in the first half. Picking up the slack for Newark Memorial were guard Cheo White, who played all 32 minutes, and reserve Vernon Hunter. Each scored six points.  St. Francis trailed 20-11 in the second quarter but stormed back to take a 23-22 halftime lead. Senior guard Jermel Gilliard hit a three-pointer to narrow the Lancers' deficit to 20-17. Following two Newark Memorial free throws, Hakeem Gilliard made a steal and scored on a layup. Lyman stole the ensuing inbound pass and was fouled on his three-point attempt at the buzzer. He sank all three free throws.  Newark Memorial regained momentum behind the play of Chandler. The 6-6 forward scored the Cougars' first seven points of the third quarter.  St. Francis reached the NorCal final with some exciting finishes. Gilliard hit a three-pointer to win the Central Coast Section championship or Lyman made a field goal as time expired in the NorCal semifinal.

Division III Boys NorCal Regional Championship

Foothill 68, Natomas 55-- Foothill gave top-seeded Natomas a dose of its own medicine Saturday, running the floor, scrapping for loose balls and generally outhustling the more athletic Nighthawks to register a 68-55 upset in the Northern California Division III championship game at Arco Arena. The second-seeded Falcons refused to be intimidated by the sleek Nighthawks, or by the spacious Arco that has ruined many a season.  The Nighthawks pieced together a record run largely on their athleticism, but Saturday the Falcons cut off the running lanes and denied the easy drives to the bucket. Natomas looked crisp in taking an early 18-11 lead before Foothill settled down. Natomas guard Mareceo Rutledge, who scored 17 points.  Jay Chess scored 15 on a variety of runners, and E.J.Costello had three three-pointers and 14 points. The guards also provided deft ballhandling and cool foul shooting down the stretch. Burkholder, Mike Hoefs and Evan Patak -- the farmers -- combined for 37 points and 24 rebounds. Jones isn't Albert Einstein, but he has crafted a class program in a remarkably short time. Natomas (28-6) laid the groundwork for next season as several key figures return, including Rutledge, a smooth 6-foot-2 shooter. The losses include senior cornerstones Damian Carter and Gerald Johnson, who combined for 17 frustrating points. Other returners include post player David Martin, who had 12 points and 11 rebounds, guard Anthony Robinson and emotional leader Jermain Gibson.

Division IV Boys NorCal Regional Championship

Tamalpais 73, Modesto Christian 60-- Tamalpais, ranked No. 2 in the state among Division IV schools, capitalized on MC's woeful shooting to defeat the top-ranked Crusaders 73-60 in the CIF Northern California Division IV championship at San Joaquin Delta College.  Tamalpais (32-2) advances to next Friday's state championship game against St. Bernard of Playa del Rey at Arco Arena. St. Bernard's defeated Crossroads of Santa Monica in the Southern California final.   Hawks' guard Marc Wallace, who ignited Tamalpais' second half rally, buried two of his six 3-pointers down the stretch -- including one off the glass as the shot clock expired -- to doom Modesto Christian (32-5).  The Hawks' victory also overshadowed a spectacular performance by MC's 6-foot-7 junior Chuck Hayes, who set a NorCal Division IV playoff record with 31 rebounds -- 16 on offense -- more than doubling the previous record of 13.  Hayes, however, scored just three of his 14 points in the second half. For the first time this season, he was held scoreless in the fourth period and finished 5 of 18 from the floor.  It wasn't that Hayes wasn't getting the ball. The Crusaders simply couldn't shake a miserable offensive funk, no matter how many golden opportunities they had to cash in. The Crusaders suffered through a 10 of 46 shooting performance in the second half (21 percent) and 31 percent for the game.  MC also dominated the boards, grabbing a staggering 62 rebounds in the game including nine more offensive rebounds than Tamalpais. But MC's poor shooting took its toll.  Modesto Christian suffered through a 10-of-46 shooting performance (21 percent) in the second half.  Modesto Christian (32-5) appeared to be on its way. The Crusaders, utilizing their quickness inside over the taller Hawks, bolted to a 20-10 first quarter lead and held a 34-30 advantage at halftime.   But the second half was a different story.  Tamalpais guard Marc Wallace scored all 14 of his team's points to open the second half, giving the Hawks a stunning 44-34 lead. MC, meanwhile, went ice cold. The Crusaders missed their first six shots in the quarter -- including two layups -- and didn't score until Chuck Hayes' three-point play with 4:13 left in the period.  Wallace finished with 23 points. MC battled back to cut the lead to 50-48 by the end of the quarter, and actually took the lead on Jeff Porter's 3-pointer to open the fourth for a 51-50 lead. But the Crusaders simply couldn't shake their offensive funk. MC missed its next seven shots, including three shots inside during one sequence, to rekindle Tamalpais' hopes.  The smooth DeFares, who led all scorers with 30 points, converted a three-point play and a short jumper in a 30-second span as the Hawks regained momentum. Tamalpais led 58-54 with 5:08 left, but MC refused to go away. Watkins (16 points, nine rebounds), playing the final game of a sparkling career, had a three-point play and Denning hit a layup to cut it to 58-56 with 4:08 left.   DeFares answered with a finger-roll layup and after a Denning free throw to make it 60-57, Wallace drove the dagger into MC with his 3-pointer at the shot clock buzzer. The Crusaders were finished.  

Division V Boys NorCal Regional Championship

Hoopa Valley 64, Branson 45 --Joe Smith scored 25 points as Hoopa Valley beat Branson of Ross 64-45 at Delta. Hoopa Valley (31-3) faces Price of Los Angeles in the state championship Saturday at Arco Arena. Just last week, Branson defeated Hoopa Valley 75-66 for the Division V North Coast Section title. But any thoughts of a repeat victory were firmly squashed by the second half as Hoopa Valley opened a 44-32 lead after three quarters of play. Justin Hoeveller led Branson (28-2) with 17 points

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