CORONA – There are a few potential “bumps” on the road to a potential – if not likely – showdown in Saturday night’s championship game.
But the Rancho Christian and Sacramento Sheldon teams demonstrated it’s going to be difficult – and then some – for anyone to knock them off before the final of the BattleZone Tournament at Centennial High.
Sheldon, the runner-up to Sierra Canyon in the past two State Open Division championship games, cruised past Eisenhower Monday evening, 97-66.
And, in the last of the four games played Monday, Rancho Christian was every bit as impressive while knocking off another Temecula-based program, Great Oak, 81-47.
Arizona State-bound forward Marcus Bagley – the brother of Sacramento Kings’ forward Marvin Bagley III – scored 14 of his eventual 34 points in the first quarter for Sheldon.
The Huskies also got strong efforts from must about every player on their roster notably senior guard Xavion Brown (13 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals).
Junior post Daniel Rouzan did his best to keep Eisenhower competition while showing off a bevy of low-post, either-hand finishes to score 26 points.
The No. 1 player in high school, 7-foot, USC-bound Evan Mobley, was in his usual “dominate in every fashion conceivable”-mode Monday night for Rancho Christian while scoring 31 points and blocking at least a half-dozen Great Oak shot attempts in only about 25 minutes of action.
And senior forward Jayce Catchings (pictured), a transfer from St. Louis, showed why his presence is just another key element in the Eagles’ quest for Southern Section and State Open crowns with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
In the first two games played Monday, Santa Clarita Christian used its impressive combination of size and skill to pull away from Temecula Valley, 71-52, and then San Diego San Ysidro overwhelmed San Bernardino, 89-53.
Six-four Josh O’Garro scored 18 points while freshman Mikey Williams was “held” to 29 points for San Ysidro.
Williams, who opened his high school career last week with 40- and 50-point efforts, took a while to get into rhythm against San Bernardino while hitting just three of 14 shots from the field (and no jump shots) over the first three quarters.
But sizzled in the four quarter before going to the bench for good with 1:06 remaining after taking a hard fall on his left side after a dunk.
Williams seven of eight shots – including a quarter-starting 3 – from the field and all three free throws for 18 points in the final quarter.
Tuesday’s schedule: 2:30 p.m., Sheldon vs. Hillcrest (Riverside); 4, Foothills Christian vs. Temecula Valley; 5:30, Rancho Christian vs. Westminster; 7, San Ysidro vs. Centennial.
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