By Damien Barling
MaxPreps.com
The Rocklin Thunder, ranked ninth in the MaxPreps California State rankings, improved to 17-1 this week defeating Oakmont 81-45.
Rocklin leads the Sierra Foothill Conference but could be tested by Granite Bay, whose 15-4 record has them sitting at second in the conference, and Roseville, whose junior sensation Elston Tuner leads the SFC in most major categories.
Zach Storment will take his team-leading 13.8 points per game into league play this week against Nevada Union, then come back home to take on Del Oro on Thursday.
Jesuit's Streak Hits 14
The Jesuit Marauders held on to their state ranking this week, beating Pleasant Grove Wednesday, 83-48, and handing Folsom its fifth loss of the season, defeating the Bulldogs, 79-42. Senior James Edwards scored 18 against Folsom and his 19.9 points per game continues to lead the Marauders.
The two victories this week extended Jesuits win streak to 14 and kept the Marauders in the fourth slot in MaxPreps California State rankings. As mentioned here on MaxPreps.com last week, Jesuit has a strong chance of cracking USA Today's national rankings.
Coach Greg Harco and the 16-1 Marauders host Sheldon Wednesday in a huge Delta River League game.
Natomas Should Run the Table in New Tri County Conference
Natomas continued its strong run to the Division III playoffs this week by defeating Yuba City, 75-48, and Woodland, 83-64, in Tri County League play.
The Nighthawks improved to 15-1 with the lone defeat coming back in December with a 49-47 loss against Terra Linda of San Rafael.
With four of the five Nighthawk starters averaging double figures, Natomas has perhaps the most complete team in the area. But just as the BCS has its strength of schedule, high school basketball has its League Power Rating.
The newly assembled Tri County Conference will do Natomas no favors when it comes to locking down a high seed or any home games for the playoffs. The Nighthawks, who were removed from the highly-competitive Sierra Foothill League at the end of last year, entered the Tri County Conference as the only team with a winning record the previous year (20-7). In fact, three of the remaining five schools in the conference have only had varsity sports for two or three years.
With 11 league games to close out the schedule, don't be surprised to see the Nighthawks sitting at 26-1 entering the playoffs.
Girl's Basketball: Baugh's Double-Double Leads Sac High Past McClatchy
Vicki Baugh returned from a miner ankle sprain to help the Sac High Red Dragons defeat their Metro Conference nemesis McClatchy, 57-43.
Baugh, who hasn't played a full game since the opening round of the West Coast Jamboree Dec. 28, scored 15 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for her ninth double-double of the season. The future Lady Volunteer is averaging 16.3 points and 11.2 rebounds a game during this her senior season.
Speaking of Tennessee and the Lady Volunteers, don't be surprised if you see legendary coach Pat Summit in the stands visiting her future NCAA star before the season is over.
McClatchy Bounces Back
Despite the frustrating loss to Sacramento, McClatchy unleashed its frustrations two days later on an overwhelmed Rosemont team, destroying the Wolverines, 86-13.
Rosemont was unable to make a basket in the first quarter as McClatchy scored at will and went up 19-0. The second quarter didn't look much better for the over matched Wolverines who went into halftime trailing 45-3.
Five players finished in double figures for the Lions and senior post player Ciera Foster finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
In defense of Rosemont, the Metro League is far and away the toughest league in girl's basketball with the top four teams holding a combined record of 48-12.
McClatchy sits at third in the Metro rankings, tied with second place Sac High in the loss column, at 13-3.
The Red Dragons head into a huge Metro Conference showdown on Wednesday taking on the first place, undefeated Grant Pacers.
