breaking through
For the first time in 30 years, two Sacramento schools battled for the NorCal Division I title — then Sheldon reached its first state final
H
istory. The run to the Calfiornia Interscholastic Federation Division I state boys basketball championship was filled with historical firsts for games, teams, and the Sac-Joaquin Section. Following its amazing run to the state title game, Sheldon-Sacramento came up short in its bid to become the first-ever Sac-Joaquin Section (SJS) team to claim a large school championship, falling to national power Mater DeiSanta Ana, who claimed a record ninth California title. Meanwhile, the Huskies may have set a record of their own as four of the team’s starters fouled out in a physical game that featured more whistles than baskets. Junior guard D’Erryl Williams, the lone Sheldon starter to avoid accumulating five personal fouls, again led the team with 13 points despite a dislocated finger suffered in the NorCal playoffs and a strained hamstring that he encountered in the State final. The Huskies ended their season with a 29-6 record, and Delta River League, SJS, and NorCal championships. While Sheldon finished a magical season with one fewer win than head coach Joey Rollings and his team had hoped for, there were plenty of feats accomplished and memories made by the Huskies as well the section. But before Sheldon suited up for its first state final appearance, there was another game. Another game that marked history. When Jesuit-Carmichael knocked off perennial Northern California power De La Salle-Concord with a 14-3 run to conclude a colossal road victory in the NorCal semifinals, the Marauders created a matchup never before seen in a NorCal final — two SJS Division I teams battling for
LEFT: Sheldon junior Dakarai Allen drives down the lane during the Huskies’ CIF Division I Northern Regional championship game against Jesuit on March 17 at Power Balance Pavilion. ABOVE: Allen and teammate D’Erryl Williams, left, enjoy the moment immediately following their teams 61-56 win over Jesuit.
story by Jim Mccue Support Your Local Business • Say You Found Them In SportStars™
photos by james k. leash March 29, 2012
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