Jesuit, Natomas, and El Camino take long winning streaks into the closing week of the regular season.
By Damien Barling
MaxPreps.com
Streaks are a funny thing in basketball. The Wisconsin Badgers rolled out 17 wins in a row before losing to Indiana 71-66. The Phoenix Suns had the NBA world talking when they won 17-straight of their own, only to have the Minnesota Timberwolves end the fun in surprising fashion.
The Jesuit Marauders defeated Sheldon this past week to earn their 22nd overall win and there 20th victory in as many games. What makes this streak even more incredible is the fact they haven't been challenged. No, really, they haven't been challenged at all.
Jesuit's only loss came in the third week of the season against Montverde Academy, Fla. (currently 29-0 and No. 9 in the MaxPreps National Rankings). Since that 46-45 defeat, the Marauders have went on destroy opponents with their closest league game being a 15-point victory against Folsom High last week.
"They are just about impossible to beat when they play their game," Folsom coach Mike Wall told the Sacramento Bee. "Any team can have an off night and lose. But I don't see Jesuit having too many off nights."
Four senior starters are averaging double figures in scoring. James Edwards' 18.9 points per game lead the way, followed by Chris Blees at 16.7, big man Rod Hawkins at 12, and Jay Flores with 10 points per game.
Jesuit sits a top the Bees' Top 20 and is now ranked second in the MaxPreps.com California state rankings.
With only four league games left, expect the Marauders to finish the regular season undefeated with their next challenge likely coming deep in the playoffs at ARCO Arena.
Speaking of Streaks.
Jesuit isn't the only streaking team in the Sacramento area right now. The Natomas Nighthawks defeated River Valley, 85-44, for their 13th victory in a row.
Since Natomas fell to Terra Linda of San Rafael, Calif., 47-49, Dec. 28, the Nighthawks have gone on to dominate opponents, with the climax coming in a 110-38 win against River Valley Jan. 16.
Does any of this sound familiar?
Jesuit's competition has arguably been greater than that of Natomas, with Jesuit gaining wins over out-of-state powers like Jefferson, Ore., Franklin, Wash., and Eastern Commerce of Canada, and strong in-state programs such as Berkeley's St. Mary's, St. Ignatius of San Francisco, and Compton Dominguez. Natomas is relatively untested in comparison.
What can't be denied is the incredible talent the Nighthawks put on the floor every night. Senior Justin Baker leads the team in scoring averaging 17 points per game. Marquis Robinson chips in 13.8 points per game and Royce Mitchell is also averaging double figures in points with 11.7 points per game.
Still More Streaks.
It's been a while since the El Camino boys program has been ranked in Sacramento. Following their 17th win in a row, El Camino now sits at No. 7 in the Sacramento Bee's Top 20.
In a thrilling game last Thursday, El Camino defeated Rio Americano, 83-82. Rio Americano scored 39 fourth-quarter points only to come up one-point shy.
Keith Arrington, Austin Bracey, and Caleb Johnson all finished with 18 points as El Camino improved its record to 20-2.
El Camino closes out the regular season this week with games at Mira Loma and at Del Campo.
Girls Basketball
Sacramento High will wrap up its regular season this week with games against Rosemont and Grant. The Dragons' 7-0 record in the highly-competitive Metro League has them in the driver seat for a top seed in the playoffs.
Speaking of the Grant ladies - what happens when a lowly writer devotes an entire article to a team that was once 19-0 headed into their biggest game of the season? Grant lost by 14 to Sacramento, then dropped two of their next three games to Burbank and McClatchy.
Despite the run of bad luck, Grant posted a 75-15 win over Rosemont during that span, is a solid basketball team, and should be ready when the postseason gets underway.
