SBLive's Sac-Joaquin Section Fab 15 boys basketball rankings: No. 3 Inderkum rolls on; Atwater perfect

The Tigers on the prowl, looking to overtake Modesto Christian and Folsom for top spot: Colton Dukes leads 27-0 Atwater

Inderkum-Sacramento has been a fast riser in the Sac-Joaquin Section power elite the last two seasons.

The campus is nestled in the Natomas Unified School District and located across the road from Arco Arena, home of the NBA's Kings and CIF championships in previous decades. 

The Tigers of late have sported their best two teams since the school opened in 2004. Last season, Inderkum started 27-0 before falling to longtime section power Sheldon-Sacramento in the SJS Division I playoffs.

Now, with a host of returners, Inderkum is 23-2, ranked third in these SBLive SJS rankings, runaway winners of the Capital Valley Conference and winners of 12 consecutive games entering the week.

The last triumph was one to cherish. Inderkum topped state-ranked St. Joseph of Santa Maria of Santa Barbara County 79-76 in the Super Saturday Showcase in Livermore.

Despite playing without Sacramento Bee Player of the Year candidate Jermaine Haliburton, a 6-foot-5 senior guard, the Tigers prevailed behind another star guard in 6-4 senior Jalen Glenn. He scored 24 points and had 19 rebounds and six assists.

Inderkum, under coach Fred Wilson, is ranked second by The Sacramento Bee behind Folsom, which defeated the Tigers in a December tournament.

MC on a record roll

Meanwhile, Modesto Christian clinched another league championship, its 27th in succession, the longest active streak in the state. The Crusaders have been the top-ranked team in the section the last two seasons. The stars include guards Jalen Brown, B.J. Davis and Rashod Cotton.

Metro Madness

The Metro League will crown three champions as Grant-Sacramento, Laguna Creek-Elk Grove and Monterey Trail-Sacramento each own a win against the other. Last week, Monterey Trail beat Grant 67-65 and two nights later Laguna Creek topped Monterey Trail 55-52, both games played in front of overflow crowds with a band and spirited student sections. The star power is everywhere. Each of these Division I programs is led by a star guard: Grant by Kiku Parker, Laguna Creek by Dante Walls and Monterey Trail by Varick Lewis.

Unblemished

No. 5 Atwater is the only undefeated team in the section at any level, and the Falcons bound into the SJS Division II playoffs as a favorite. SJS brackets will be released Saturday. Playoff openers are Feb. 15. Senior guard Colton Dukes leads the Falcons in scoring at 17.7 points a game, and he averages 6.9 rebounds.

1. Modesto Christian (21-6)
Last week: 1
Results (3-0): Beat St. Mary's-Stockton 65-47, Tracy 77-29, Lincoln-Stockton 65-48
Next game: Wednesday vs. West-Tracy (12-14)

2. Folsom (23-2)
Last week: 2
Results (2-0): Beat Rocklin 67-39, Whitney-Rocklin 67-50
Next game: Wednesday vs. Granite Bay (11-15)

3. Inderkum-Sacramento (23-2)
Last week: 4
Results: (2-0): Beat River Valley (Yuba City) 93-36, Roseville 94-40
Next game: Wednesday at Yuba City (12-12)

4. Jesuit-Carmichael (21-4)
Last week: 3
Results (2-0): Beat Elk Grove 83-33, Pleasant Grove 73-33
Next game: Wednesday at Sheldon-Sacramento (13-12)

5. Atwater (27-0)
Last week: 5
Results: (2-0): Beat Merced 52-42, El Capitan-Merced 73-56
Next game: Wednesday at Buhach Colony-Atwater (7-19)

6. St. Mary's-Stockton (21-5)
Last week: 6
Results: (3-1): Lost to Modesto Christian 65-47, Beat West-Tracy 53-37, Tokay-Lodi 63-32, Central Catholic-Modesto 56-44.
Next game: Wednesday at Lodi (11-15)

7. Rio Americano-Sacramento (23-4)
Last week: 9
Results: (2-0): Beat El Camino-Sacramento, Del Campo-Fair Oaks 85-51.
Next: Wednesday at Vista del Lago-Folsom (9-17)

8. Lincoln-Stockton (22-4)
Last week: 9
Results: (1-1): Beat Tokay-Lodi 83-29, Lost to Modesto Christian 65-48.
Next game: Wednesday vs. Tracy (5-19)

9. Weston Ranch-Stockon (16-9)
Last week: 10
Results: (3-0): Beat Stagg-Stockton 75-55, McNair-Stockton 111-31, Chavez-Stockton 70-49.
Next game: Wednesday vs. Franklin-Stockton (6-18)

10. Edison-Stockton (20-5)
Last week: 11
Results: (2-0): Beat Chavez-Stockton 76-68, Linden 78-24.
Next game: Wednesday at Bear Creek-Stockton (13-12)

Bonus:
11. Sacramento (20-7)
12. Laguna Creek (21-5)
13. Monterey Trail-Elk Grove (14-12)
14. Grant (17-8)
15. Sheldon-Sacramento (13-12)