High School

LIVE UPDATES SUMMARY: St. Joseph, Riordan, Prolific Prep win marquee matchups at Crush in Valley

St. Joseph of Santa Maria needs bigs to come up big to hold off Salesian; Riordan gets gut check from Modesto Christian; Prolific Prep does just enough to win in return home
Mitch Stephens|
Modesto Christian’s Trevor Dickson went for 22 points including four three-pointers but it wasn’t quite enough against a determined Riordan squad in the 10th Crush in the Valley Showcase Saturday at Napa Valley College
Modesto Christian’s Trevor Dickson went for 22 points including four three-pointers but it wasn’t quite enough against a determined Riordan squad in the 10th Crush in the Valley Showcase Saturday at Napa Valley College | Photo by Sam Stringer

NAPA, Calif. — It started at 9 a.m. Saturday and finished up just past 11 p.m. Eight games and 14 hours of sheer high school boys basketball at its finest.

Check out all the results, photos and color in an event that featured three Top 10 national senior recruits and three California Top 10 ranked teams in the 10th Crush in the Valley at Napa Valley College.

SATURDAY SCHEDULE/FINAL SCORES

9 a.m. —  Fremont-Oakland 79, Fortune Early College-Sacramento 35

The Tigers improved to 12-7 with a running clock victory thanks to big performance from Tyreese West. It was the fourth straight win for Fremont, which Friday night cruised past McClymonds 75-53. Fortune Early College perhaps wasn't fond of the early start and dropped to 11-6.

10:45 a.m. —  Vanden-Fairfield 79, Brave Christian 57

Templeton Fountaine had 25 points and James Carraway added 17 as Vikings improved to 17-5 in a wire to wire game. Brave Christian, previously Valley Christian-Dublin, dropped to 16-5.

12:30 p.m. — Moreau Catholic-Hayward 70, Clovis North 61

This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for one of Northern California’s top coaches, Moreau Catholic’s 16th-year leader Frank Knight. But his young squad, with only four seniors on a 15-man roster, has developed much faster than expected, especially 6-foot-10 sophomore post Brendan Williams, who Saturday scored 23 points, grabbed 18 rebounds and blocked five shots. He and season leading scorer Isaiah Clendinen (25 points) were selected co-Players of the Game.

high school boys basketball
Moreau Catholic junior Isaiah Clendinen soars in for two of his 25 points in a tough 70-61 win over Clovis North | Photo by Sam Stringer

The Mariners improved to 17-3, the best 20-game start in Knight’s career. They survived an absolutely barrage by Clovis North 5-10 senior guard McKae Amundsen (35 points), who single-handily led a 15-0 run early in the fourth quarter to take a 55-50 lead.

But Moreau maintained its poise, picked up the pressure defensively, went down low to Williams and made their free throws to win their eighth game in a row.

“We would have lost that game (in December),” Knight said. “We lost our three games by eight points and led in the four quarter of all of them. We’re learning how to win.”

Williams, who swished two free throws and scored on two putbacks to key the 20-6 run to close the game, said the Mariners were patient to take better shots and not rely on 3-pointers like the Broncos who got three straight 3S from Amundsen to erase a 52-40 deficit late in the third quarter.

But Williams, a thoughtful, humble sort, noted the Mariners pulled away because “we’re bigger, faster and stronger than those guys.”

And younger.

Two free throws by Williams and a driving layup by the lightning quick Williams tied the game at 55. A putback from Williams gave Moreau a 57-55 lead, but Gabe Nyberg made a pretty reverse layup after a baseline move and feed from Amundsen.

High school boys basketball
The Mariners couldn’t slow McKae Amundsen who scored 35 points, but only Miles Tucker (10 points) scored in double figures for Clovis North. | Photo by Sam Stringer

Another putback from Williams a driving layup by freshman Isaiah Dotson and 3-point play from Sebastian Atako, another sophomore started a 13-4 run to finish things off.

After losing eight seniors to graduation off last season’s North Coast Section Division 2 championship team, Knight thought it would be a total “rebuild” in 2025-26. “But then we started winning and it was pretty obvious that we’re really good now.”

high school boys basketballPhoto California
Moreau Catholic freshman Isaiah Dotson is a starter and key performer for the young Mariners. | Photo by Sam Stringer

Williams transformation has been game-changing. “And he’s still growing and only 15-years-old,” Knight said. “He has a chance to be the best player I’ve ever coached.”

See Brendan Williams interview below:

2:15 p.m. — Southeastern Prep 62, DNA Prep 45

High school boys basketball
Southeastern Prep’s Anthony Cruz goes up for a bucket in his team’s 62-45 win over DNA Prep | Photo by Sam Stringer
High school boys basketball
Southeastern Prep post Toni Bryant goes up for two of his 13 points to go along with 11 rebounds in his team’s 62-45 win over DNA Prep. | Photo by Sam StringerCrush

4 p.m. — Riordan-San Francisco 64,  Modesto Christian 58

As the final seconds ticked off the clock, Andrew Hilman stayed in the backcourt. Hands to knees, head down, he left it all right there. Even after the buzzer, the 6-4 Riordan point guard needed to catch his breath.

High school boys basketball California
Riordan senior Andrew Hilman had 21 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists leading his team to a tough 64-58 victory over a very game Modesto Christian squad | Photo by Sam Stringer

He absolutely willed his team, playing its fourth game of the week and second back-to-back, to a tenacious six-point win against an equally spent and less deep team.

The USF signee scored 10 of his team-high 21 points, added four rebounds of his eight rebounds and three of his seven assists, all in the fourth quarter as the defending Northern California Open Division champs to the win in a game it trailed after each of the first three quarters.

“That was a game the will help us build our mental toughness,” Riordan coach Joey Curtin said. “We were a little gassed. I could see it late in the second quarter I told the team at halftime this is a dig-deep game. How bad-do-you-want-it game. It’s gonna come down to the fourth quarter and that’s exactly what happened.”

If Hilman wasn’t driving to the hole for a bucket, making free throws, ripping the ball out of an opponents hands, or grabbing a tough rebound, he was tipping the ball out of a Modesto Christian player’s grasp.

High school boys basketball
Modesto Christian’s Trevor Dickson went for 22 points including four three-pointers but it wasn’t quite enough in a tough 64-58 loss to Riordan. | Photo by Sam Stringer

He did have lots of help from 6-8 post JP Pihtovs (14 points, nine rebounds, three blocks), DJ Armstrong (11 points) and freshman Judah Van Ewijk, who put his team in the lead for good with a 3-pointer from the corner. There was 3:28 remaining.

Hilman followed that up with a midrange jumper and driving layup to go up 62-55 and this one was essentially over. Trevor Dickson, who scored a game-high 22 points, gave Modesto Christian (15-6) a glimmer of hope with his four three-pointer, but Hilman put it away with another driving hoop to give Riordan its fourth victory of the week and 15th of the season against one defeat.

“That’s why (Hilman) is special,” Curtin said of his fourth-year starter. “I can’t say enough about the mental fortitude of this team. They’ll be using some ice packs and salt baths when they get home.”

High school boys basketball California
Riordan senior JP Pihtovs had 14 points and nine rebounds and three blocks as his team pulled away late in a 64-58 comeback win. Modesto Christian led after each of the first three quarters (17-16, 30-28 and 48-47). | Photo by Sam Stringer

Modesto Christian coach Chris Teevan was proud of his team’s toughness also, especially being down starter Elijah Stanley (illness). They got huge contributions all around from Inderkum transfer Sincere Hudson (11 points, seven assists, six rebounds), impressive 6-9 freshman Somto Patrick (11 points, eight rebounds and Cole Martin (10 points).

The Sac-Joaquin Section power and two-time state champion stood toe-to-toe with their San Francisco rival, just five days after losing to another Top 10 state-ranked team Salesian, 74-62 at the De La Salle MLK Classic.

Hudson, a super tough and skilled 6-3 guard, has missed two recent weeks with an illness.

6 p.m. — Prolific Prep 69, Bella Vista Academy 61

It wasn’t the prettiest of efforts, but the nation’s No. 4 senior recruit wooed the big Napa Valley College crowed with 19 points and nine rebounds. Another top national recruit Bruce Branch III added 14 points and six rebounds but left early in the third quarter with a back injury. Prolific, the No. 1 team in the country according to High School On SI’s computer rankings, improved to 22-3.

High school boys basketball
Prolfic Prep's Bruce Branch III (3) before being sideline in the third quarter with a back injury. | Photo by Sam Stringer

Lucas Toukam added 15 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks, while Jordan Charles contributed 10 points for Bella Vista Academy (13-3).

High school boys basketball
Prolific Prep's Caleb Holt was everywhere on Saturday at Napa Valley College with 19 points, nine rebounds, two assists, 1 steal and 1 block. | Photo by Sam Stringer
high school boys basketball
Prolific Prep's star junior Nasir Anderson goes high to lay the ball up against a taller defender on Saturday | Photo by Sam Stringer

7:45 p.m. — St. Joseph-Santa Maria 67, Salesian 63

If a Northern California Open Division championship game looked like this, fans would be happy as these two Top 10 California teams sparred toe-to-toe for 32 minutes before a packed crowd at Napa Valley College.

Eighth-ranked Salesian (18-3) took control early, No. 6 St. Joseph (23-2) grabbed it in the middle and seemed to have the game in hand before the Pride made one last push.

But a three-pointer by Isaiah Davis in the final seconds to go ahead went halfway in and spun out. Godson Eyita, a 6-10 junior, grabbed the rebound, was fouled and hit two free throws to seal the deal. He had a mammoth game and finished with 12 points and seven rebounds to support Julius Price’s game-high 22 points and 14 points from his younger brother Malcolm’s Price.

Davis had one of his best games in his career and finished with 20 points and five assists while Elias Obenyah added 16 points and seven rebounds for the Pride, who fought from a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit.

California high school boys basketball
Julius Price goes in for an empatic slam dunk during his team's decisive win over De La Salle at the 28th MLK Classic on Jan. 19, 2026 | Photo by Sam Stringer

9:30 p.m. —St. John Bosco-Bellflower 61, St. Mary's-Berkeley 40

Five-star recruit Christian Collins didn't make the trip to Napa from Southern California due to illness, according to coaches, but the Braves had enough to improve to 18-5. St. Mary's dropped to 12-8.

Tariq Iscandari had 17 points and six steals for Bosco while Joem Fidello chipped in 12 points on four made three-pointers. Teammate Howie Wu contributed eight points, nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Donovan Mikel had 11 points for St. Mary's and Christopher Baltrip contributed nine.

2026 CRUSH PREVIEW

The always entertaining Crush in the Valley Showcase returns to Napa Valley College this weekend as does the organization which originally created it.

Prolific Prep, which after 11 seasons moved from Napa to Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) last spring, is the No. 1 team in the High School On SI national boys basketball computer and human rankings.

The Link, who feature two national top 10 2026 recruits in 6-foot-5 guard Caleb Holt and 6-7 guard Bruce Branch III, return to California to play three games, including a Saturday tilt against national No. 6 Bella Vista College Prep out of Scottsdale (Ariz.), which feature's the national No. 21 senior recruit in Jaxon Richardson, a 6-6 small forward.

MAJOR STAR POWER

Prolific Prep, coached by Ryan Bernadi, will likely boast the first two picks of the 2026 NBA Draft in alums Darryn Peterson, a 6-6 point guard from Kansas, and BYU 6-9 forward A.J. Dybantsa.

Peterson starred on the Link last season, not only leading the Link to a 35-6 season and Chipotle National semifinal berth, but also a 69-52 win over Dream City Christian at the same Crush in the Valley Showcase. Peterson had 27 points in that game that was played at Contra Costa College in San Pablo.

high school boys basketball
Prolific Prep's Darryn Peterson goes up for two of his game-high 27 points in last season's win over Dream City. | Photo: Greg Jungferman

Dybantsa was on the 2023-24 Prolific Prep team before transferring to Utah Valley Prep. He played in the 2024 Crush in the Valley Showcase but was injured in the third quarter and didn't return. Led by current Washington Husky standout Zoom Diallo, the Link won the premier game of the Crush in the Valley, 83-79. Remarkably, Tyran Stokes, the No. 1 player in the Class of 2026, was also on that Prolific Prep team. He's now at Rainier Beach (Seattle, Wash.) after his junior season at Notre Dame Sherman Oaks.

The 2025-26 Link, 21-3 after a 91-52 win over DNA Prep (Calif.), are also filled with loads of talent.

CURRENT LINK BLUE CHIPPERS

Holt, ranked No. 4 by 247Sports, is up to 22 college offers and according to 247Sports director of scouting Adam Finkelstein: "is physically imposing on the perimeter with a terrific combination of length, strength, athleticism, speed, and a wealth of intangibles. He’s competitive, plays hard, and imposes his will on both ends of the floor. He also has good perimeter size at 6-foot-5-plus with a 6-foot-9 wingspan." He appears to be leaning toward Arizona or Houston, but don't count out Kentucky or Arkansas.

Branch, ranked No. 6, also has 22 offers but his recruitment is all over the map. According to Finkelstein: "Branch is a big wing who is long and skilled with developing guard skills. His shooting is a legitimate, and still ascending, weapon. He leans back into his shot more so than he does rise up, but his release is very fluid."

High school boys basketball Florida
Bruce Branch III is long and so is his shooting range. | Photo by Jeff Klein

Other top senior recruits for the Link are Kansas-bound 6-9 center Davion Adkins and 6-9 power forward Alex Smith (Ohio State), ranked No. 68 and 119 respectively by 247Sports. Teammate Nasir Anderson, a 6-4 point guard, is the No. 8 national recruit from the Class of 2027, and Draydne McDaniel, a 6-7 forward, is one of the top freshmen in the country.

MORE HEADLINERS

* The other biggest name in the showcase is St. John Bosco 6-8 power forward Christian Collins, who doesn't play until the final game of the night, scheduled at 9:30 p.m. against St. Mary's-Albany. Collins is ranked No. 9 in in the country and has 23 offers with USC, UCLA, Kentucky, Alabama and Arizona in strong contention.

High school boys basketball
St. John Bosco's Christian Collins goes over three Eastvale Roosevelt players 12-30-2024. | Photo: Heston Quan

* More nationally ranked players in the event include (ranked by 247Sports): No. 27 PF Tony Bryant (Southeastern Prep, Missouri signee), No. 88 PG Julius Price (St. Joseph, Stanford); No. 99 CG Elias Obenyah (Salesian, Stanford).Other state-ranked:No. 15 CG Andrew Hilman (Riordan, USF); No. 16 C JP Pihtovs (Riordan); No. 28 SF Joustin Reyes (DNA Prep)

High school boys basketball, California
Stanford-signee Julius Price with two of his 16 points helping the Knights to a 19-point victory over host De La Salle on Monday at the MLK Classic. | Photo by Sam Stringer

* Along with three top 10 national players, there are four top 10 California teams in action, with two of them squaring off against one another: No. 6 St. Joseph versus Salesian in a rematch of the game played last season. St. Joseph won that won going away, 76-67 as Price (16 points) and Gunner Morinini (4 three-pointers, 14 points) led a big second-half surge after Salesian took a quick lead in the third quarter. Salesian's Obenyah and Carlton Perrilliat Jr. each carried Salesian with 20 points and lead the Pride on the payback tour. It's very likely that St. Joseph will return to the Northern California tournament — last season it was placed in the South — so this very well could determine the No. 1 seed in about six weeks.

California high school boys basketball
Salesian senior Elias Obenyah goes up for two of his game-high 26 points during a 74-62 win over Modesto Christian in the 28th MLK Classic at De La Salle on Jan. 19, 2026 | Photo by Sam Stringer

* Salesian was originally scheduled to play St. John Bosco, however when the teams met at the Damien Classic in December, a 61-58 Salesian win, all parties agreed to switch it up. St. Mary's, originally supposed to play St. Joseph, will now play Bosco.

* What gives the Salesian-St. Joseph matchup some extra juice is that fact that each team's leading scorers — Price and Obenyah — will be teammates next season at Stanford.

* The other premier high school game is Riordan versus Modesto Christian. This also has some significant postseason ramifications as both will likely be picked for the Northern California Open Division. Modesto Christian, led by junior guard Trevor Dickson (20.8 points per game), has somewhat of a score to setting having lost twice to Riordan over the years, 82-51 in 2020 and 55-41 in 2019. Riordan, with a very long, deep and talented bunch, would appear to have too much for the very young Modesto Christian team that boasts just one senior (6-3 guard Cole Martin) to go with three freshmen, three sophomores and five juniors. Riordan, the defending NorCal Open Division, has won 10 straight since its only defeat, 53-40 to Crean Lutheran on Dec. 11.

California high school boys basketball
Riordan guard DJ Armstrong (1) dribbles through the San Joaquin Memorial defense | Photo by Sam Stringer

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Mitch Stephens
MITCH STEPHENS

Mitch Stephens is a senior editor at SBLive Sports for California, a state he's covered high school sports since 1984. He won multiple CNPA and CPSWA writing awards with the Contra Costa Times, San Francisco Chronicle and MaxPreps.com before joining the SBLive staff in 2022. He's covered the beat nationally since 2007, profiling such athletes as Derrick Henry, Paige Bueckers, Patrick Mahomes, Sabrina Ionescu, Jayson Tatum, Chiney Ogwumike, Jeremy Lin and Najee Harris as preps. You can reach him at mitch@scorebooklive.com.

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