The MaxPreps Holiday Classic passed the midway point on Monday at Xavier College Prep in Palm Desert, Calif. The four Northern California teams in the Open Division split their four games. Here is a summary.
Archbishop Mitty 69, Saddleback Valley Christian 48
After losing their first two games in the event, Coach Tim Kennedy said that his team came out strong and played with more intensity in the first quarter. Mitty led 15-10 and 31-21 after the first two quarters respectively. The third quarter was shaky for the Monarchs as Saddleback's Eric Rwahwire, a UC Riverside commit who had 20 points in the game, helped cut the deficit to four points midway. But Monarch, Ben Kone, had 18 of his 27 points in the second half to help extend the third quarter advantage back to 46-34 and to pad the final score in the fourth quarter.
Guard Dakari Monroe had 14 points, as he was disruptive on the defensive end to help create turnovers to lead to easy baskets. However, the Monarchs only had one made 3-point shot. This year's Mitty team will depend on Kone being the offensive focal point as the perimeter shooting has not been consistent. Sophomore Sebastian Much has shown a nice touch but needs to look for his offense and shots more.
Mitty goes to 6-2 and faces Folsom Tuesday for the 13th place decision. This is a battle between the top two teams from Northern California after Bishop O'Dowd.
Folsom 58, Issaquah (WA) 57 OT
This Issaquah squad gave Moreau Catholic a battle in the first half of their Friday game. With a distinct size advantage with Colin Russell and solid guards, Folsom dominated early on with an 8-0 lead midway into the first quarter. Issaquah lives and dies by the perimeter shots as they made eight 3-point field goals in the game. With two of those in the first quarter, Issaquah trailed 14-13. Folsom gave up the lead midway into the second quarter but rallied with the advantage of 34-30 into halftime.
Russell picked up an early fourth foul and Folsom lost the hustle plays to trail 43-41 at the end of the third quarter. The final quarter, which ended in a 52-52 tie, and the overtime period had a lot of turnovers, missed free throws, and missed opportunities on both ends. Issaquah missed four free throws in overtime that allowed Folsom to take a 58-54 advantage before Issaquah ended the game with a 3-point shot.
Jordan Ford had 22 points for the Bulldogs and has been the most consistent offensive player in all three games for Folsom. Russell battled foul trouble but was able to get 14 points. Against Mitty on Tuesday, the Bulldogs, now 10-2, need to execute better and play to their preferred tempo.
Rufus King (WI) 56, Sacramento 52
Solomon Young was the tallest and strongest player on the court. He followed up a double-double from his previous game with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 blocks. Christian Terrell had 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Despite their efforts, the Dragons trailed every quarter by nearly double digits. In the final quarter, Sacramento used a frenetic press defense to cause several turnovers. The Dragons had a few opportunities to take the lead but came as close as 53-52 with 0:22 left before losing the game.
Terrell and Young accounted for 15 of the team's 21 made field goals, 14 of the team's 17 rebounds, and all of the block shots. The Dragons do not have much depth in the interior and are highly dependent on Young being on the floor.
Sacramento drops to 7-3 and faces American Fork (UT) for the 11th place game. This Utah team has the size and depth to give the Dragons trouble.
Prestonwood (TX) 68, Moreau Catholic 53
On opening night, Prestonwood handled Folsom with ease. Prestonwood was up 13-2 midway in the first quarter and 19-7 at the end of it against the Mariners. Moreau Catholic could not hit any of their perimeter shots in the first quarter but turned the momentum around in the second quarter with some long distance makes to narrow the deficit to 29-23 at the half. Prestonwood came out in the third quarter and extended the margin to 46-33. The Mariners could not bring the deficit below ten points and would lose 68-53.
Oscar Frayer and Damari Milstead were the most aggressive and consistent offensive players. Frayer looked confident in his perimeter stroke as he did make a few of his perimeter shots. Milstead did not have the outside game working but was aggressive attacking the basket and converting. On the defensive end, the team did its best in a zone coverage to handle the two 6-foot-11 players from Texas.
The Mariners drop to 4-5 and will take on Alemany for the 7th place game. Alemany has some interior size to challenge Moreau Catholic.
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