Stockton showdown headlines state playoffs
A Stockton showdown between No. 4 Weston Ranch and No. 9 St. Mary's in the Division II regional semifinals headlines a jam-packed week of local state playoff action.
The Cougars and Rams are two of five basketball and soccer teams still playing for state supremacy. In the 6 p.m. headliner today, both Weston Ranch and St. Mary's took peculiar paths to reach the regional semifinals.
As a No. 14 seed, Weston Ranch maneuvered through the Division I Sac-Joaquin section playoffs, defeating Chavez, Folsom and Cosumnes Oaks, before falling to Capital Christian in the semifinals. The No. 5 Rams reached Sacramento, looking for their third consecutive section title, but lost to No. 6 Grant at Golden 1 Center.
It's been status quo for the Cougars in the state playoffs, defeating Piedmont and Oakland Tech. St. Mary's narrowly escaped No. 8 Clovis East in its first round game and avoided No. 1 Granada, who was upset by No. 16 Whitney. St. Mary's dispatched the Wildcats on Thursday to move two wins away from another trip to Golden 1 Center.
Boys soccer
Division III regional final — No. 4 Harker at No. 2 East Union, 4 p.m. today
The Lancers' improbable postseason run included the program's first ever Sac-Joaquin section title. Now, they are one win away from adding their first regional championship, too.
East Union has not lost a game since its Jan. 7th meeting against Weston Ranch, the only team to finish above the Lancers in the Valley Oak League. The Lancers entered the Division III section playoffs as the No. 6 seed, and defeated El Capitan, Pacheco and Patterson to reach the section final against Galt. The Warriors were the No. 1 seed and did not surrender a goal in the playoffs, but East Union managed to score two en route to a 2-0 victory.
The Lancers rode that momentum into the state playoffs for wins against Shasta and Branham.
Harker, who upset No. 1 seed Ygnacio Valley to reach the final, is the last team in East Union's way from another postseason trophy.
Boys basketball
Division IV regional semifinals — No. 8 Brookside Christian at No. 4 Hoover-Fresno, 6 p.m. today
Brookside's final season still has life to it, after an upset win over No. 1 Stuart Hall on Thursday. With the school set to close at the end of the academic year, the Knights have checked off numerous accomplishments this year.
Brookside claimed the Central California Athletic Alliance title one last time. Then, they won one last section championship, defending its Division V crown by beating Bradshaw Christian in the finals. Throughout this season, head coach Luke Williams said his players have savored each moment during this final season. Now, the Knights are two wins away from a never-forgetting conclusion.
Division VI regional semifinal — No. 3 Fall River at No. 2 Ripon Christian, 6 p.m. today
Ripon Christian has been as dominant as anyone in the area this season. The Knights lost their regular season final against rival Ripon, but have been on a tear since.
The Knights cruised through the Division VI Sac-Joaquin section playoffs, beating Lodi Academy 67-41, Alpha Charter 72-35 then Stockton Christian 73-56 in the section championship. Ripon Christian's run continued in the state playoffs, beating California School for the Deaf 64-41. Fall River now stands in the Knights' way to a trip to the regional finals.
Girls basketball
Division IV regional semifinals — No. 11 Sierra Pacific at No. 2 Argonaut, 6 p.m. today
Since its nine-point win over El Dorado to claim the Division IV Sac-Joaquin Section title at Golden 1 Center, the Mustangs have been dominant, rolling through the state playoffs. Argonaut won both of its Division IV region game by 15-plus points, and host a surging No. 11 Sierra Pacific, who upset No. 3 Hanford to reach the regional semifinals.
Argonaut has not lost since Jan. 17 against Calaveras, and has cruised through most of its postseason opponents. As the favorite in the Division IV section, the Mustangs beat Galt, Dixon and Hughson to reach Sacramento, where sharpshooter Gabbie Gascon provided the big shots to secure the section title.
The Mustangs haven't cooled off since and are two wins away from a regional title.