Modesto Christian vs. Vista Del Lago, Division IV section semifinal

Reeves Nelson scored a section playoff-record 53 points the lat time he played on this floor. But that was against an Encina team willing to run with the Crusaders. Vista Del Lago will not be so quick to pull the trigger, so Nelson is likely not to get enough looks to put up the big numbers tonight.

Still, Nelson drills a 3-pointer the first time he touches the ball to get MC going.

Leo Prophete with a 3 from the corner. VDL isn't very big, and doesn't get a lot of motion in their offense against the MC man-to-man defense. Still, they appear aggressive enough to be able to hang with the Crusaders for a while.

Crusaders dominating the boards, allowing Prophete to release early. They've scored three times already by releasing a guard, forcing the Eagles to call a time out.

MC will be able to penetrate at will against the Eagles, but the Crusaders' offense is a little stagnant right now. MC doesn't get back on a fast break, allowing the Eagles an easy put-back basket, and a 3-pointer right at the buzzer pulls VDL within three at the end of the first quarter.

Good news all around is that the officials whistled only four total fouls in the first quarter. Let 'em play, guys.

Suddenly, MC is a step slow. VDL moving the ball around very well and the Crusaders aren't adjusting. The Eagles appear faster than advertised, but perhaps that's because MC needs a wakeup call.

Nelson trying to post-up, but VDL is collapsing inside. MC will be successful pounding the offensive boards. Hutton gets fouled after an offensive rebounds and converts two free throws for a six-point lead

A little frustration on the MC sideline and Gary Porter calls a timeout. The Crusaders' offense is stagnant. The ball movement is on the perimeter only, and the outside shooting isn't there right now. VDL is getting good looks at the basket on almost every trip. Yes, they have a puncher's choice of winning this one.

Demarcus Wishom, VDL's best-looking offensive threat, turns an ankle. He's also been one of the players doubling down on Nelson. MC is in severe need of a wakeup call.

Wishom right back in the game, looking none the worse for wear. MC is nothing but an outside shooting team right now.

Johnny Hutton hits a 3, and Brandon Baker gets a put-back off a 3-point air ball. Baker then hits a short baseline jumper at the buzzer for the 2-point halftime lead.

VDL fans cheer as their team walks to the locker room. Their Eagles are outplaying the Crusaders right now.

MC has been very quick to pull the trigger from the outside, but to survive to play Saturday at ARCO the Crusaders will have to find a way to get the ball inside in the second half.

Feel free to post questions or comments here if there's something you'd like to know or share.

Crusaders looked concerned, but not nearly as concerned as their fans.

Nelson with a steal, a layup plus a foul to start the quarter. Time for the soon-to-be Bruin to assert his will on this game.

great coverage Brian

Burse hits a 3. MC can get an open outside look on every possession and if they settle for those shots, they will lose. Marcus Butler gets inside for a rare easy shot for MC.

Burse gets a long rebound and drive right at Wishom, picking up the fourth foul on VDL's big man.

Can't remember the last time I've seen any MC team look this bad on offemse. Even if the Crusaders pull this one out, every opponent for the rest of the year will be able to use VDL's defensive gameplan as a blueprint.

VDL goes to a 3-2 zone with Wishom on the bench, and turns two turnovers into scores to take their first lead since 30-27.

Butler scores on a putback, then gets a slam off a steal. Perhaps the 6-4 senior will provide the spark the Crusaders need.

Crusaders looking for a final shot, but Burse gets caught in the lane and is whistled for a 3-second violation. The reason? The Crusaders have been stagnant on offense. They have eight minutes to resolve that problem or their season and their unprecedented run of 10 straight section titles will come to a crashing end.

Sheesh. They need to wake up in a hurry!

On the D3 girls side, Im hearing St Mary's over EU, 90-35 approximately. Ran into a buzzsaw, but it shouldnt diminish the year they had nonetheless. Also hearing Sac Hi up by 29 on Del Oro, setting up another rematch at Arco unless DO can figure something out quickly.

Wishom back in game for VDL

Nelson with a 3-pointer after a scramble. His best bet right now is to shoot 3s, because his teammates have yet to figure out how to get him the ball down low.

Nelson on the bench for a quick rest. MC needs a stop and get it when Burse gets a steal and a basket.

Nelson at top of zone offense against VDL's 2-1-2 zone. VDL collapses, but Nelson is able to pass to Burse for a hanging jumper.

Nelson grabs a rebound and is fouled by Wishom, who takes the bench with eight points. The last time he was out of the game VDL responded, but this is crunch time.

Nelson goes to the line after the foul and misses first.

Chris, thanks for the EU-SM update.

MC gets a stop, still stagnant on offense and needs a TO when the ball gets trapped in the corner. Crusaders have possession, 15 secs on shot clock.

Burse misses 3 at the end of shot clock, Nelson gets rebound and scores.
VDL gets inside for a basket, and MC tries to work clock. Burse fouled on a reach, VDL's 9th foul of half. He misses front end.

VDL hits 3 after Burse foul line miss to pull within one.

Nelson gets inside and misses shot, but grabs own rebound and gets fouled with 20.5 seconds left.

Two shots, good-miss.

Butler gets rebound, gets tied up. Eagles ball 16.3 left

Eagles get ball across halfcourt, call timeout.

Lescault inbounds for VDL, to guard Shah. Butler tips ball away for MC toward MC basket and as both players go for the ball Shah fouls Butler.

(The foul never should have been called. It was two players going for the ball 60 feet from the basket.)

Butler steps to line and sinks both shots. Huge break for MC and they're in position to win.

VDL inbounds, MC tips out of bounds with 0.2 left. VDL 3-pointer long at buzzer, would not have counted anyway.

MC is outhustled and pretty much outplayed for 32 minutes, but survives.

VDL, with nothing but juniors on the roster, puts on a great show. They appear to have the nucleus of a nice program, but next year when seniors are added to the Folsom school they will be long gone out of Division IV.

Point totals to follow.

MC:
Nelson 15, Burse 13, Butler 13, Hutton 12, Prophete 7, Baker 4.
VDL: Lescault 19, White 14, Wiley 13, Wishom 10, Hatten 2, Smith 2.

Any questions? I'll be here for about 5 minutes before having to make room for the next crew.

thank you for the coverage

Nice job, Beek