MLK Dream Day Classic

 MLK recap

Alarbesh’s game-winning triple caps off exciting slate at Coaches Corner MLK Dream Day Classic

Monday showcased 16 teams from Northern California in the Coaches Corner Digest MLK Dream Day Basketball Classic at Christian Brothers High School.

The event was capped off by a super competitive matchup between Inderkum and Oakland Tech with Bulldogs senior Saddiq Alarbesh hitting a three at the horn to win 68-66. 

“We called a timeout and my coach drew up the play for me,” Alarbesh said. “I knew I needed to save my team and hit the shot. I didn’t have the best game, but I hit the shot and that’s all that matters.”

Alarbesh was one of five Bulldogs in double figures along with Brandon Woodards, Noah Trammell, Jordan Price and Jasen Davis. For Inderkum, they were led by senior forward Jaeden Goodman with 18 points and 13 boards while Zacharr Torres finished with 12.

The day began at 10 a.m. with Casa Roble downing Fortune Early College 82-57 and was immediately followed by West High of Tracy beating Burbank 55-44 as Wolfpack senior Monte Sheldon led with 21 points.

“They went zone, so I was really just attacking the gaps, finding the open man and getting easy baskets,” Sheldon said. “Our team is really young with lots of underclassmen, so this was really good for them to get the experience of playing great competition. We’re in a really good league and this just helps us get prepared.” 

Two teams from outside the Sac-Joaquin Section faced off at 1 p.m. as Pleasant Valley from Chico in the Northern Section played Fremont of the Oakland Section. The Tigers from Oakland set the tone on defense early and got the job done as they led wire-to-wire and won 51-48 behind a great performance by Tyreese West. West is averaging 12.3 points per game on 60% shooting this season. Pleasant Valley was led in the contest by Ian Hernandez with 13 points.

“It (defense) let them know that we weren’t going to let them come in and do whatever they wanted to,” West said. “If you start off slow, you’ll end slow, so we had to start quickly.”

Fremont wasn’t the only Oakland Section school competing as McClymonds took on Marysville at 2:30 p.m.The Indians up-tempo style of play was too much for the Warriors as Marysville won 66-49 with senior Jordan Witt totaling 21 points including three triples and eight boards. Witt is averaging 17.8 points per game this season on 39% shooting from deep. 

“I think we were running really well, getting up the floor super quick and that’s our game,” Witt said. “We’re not the biggest team, but we can outrun a lot of teams. People say our size is our disadvantage, but we just use it against teams.”

Steven Martin also finished in double figures with 13 along with sophomore Davi Perez who had 12 in the first half alone. Warriors senior center Josiah McCombs ended with 16 points.

The 4 p.m. game saw an SJS Championship rematch between two Division IV juggernauts in Venture Academy and Natomas. The score was tied 10-10 at the end of the first quarter, but the Nighthawks pulled away in the second half to win 54-43. Freshman Joseph Martin scored 12 points while fellow freshman Marcus Harris had 10 despite being in foul trouble. Jabril Lewis-Muhaammad and Josiah Johnson both had 15 for the Mustangs. 

“I just hustle, play defense, and do all of the little things,” Martin said. “We’ve (Martin and Harris) been playing with each other forever now and we have a connection on the court.”

The host team Christian Brothers competed at 5:30 p.m. against St. Patrick-St. Vincent from Vallejo in the North Coast Section. Despite the Falcons leading 37-33 at halftime, the Bruins battled and came away with a 72-63 win. Junior guards Isaiah Price and Ronald Rhymes combined for 60 points with Rhymes totaling 33. Junior forward Braeden Hennelly led the Falcons in scoring with 19 while Omar Johnson had 12. 

At 7 p.m. it was once again two teams from the SJS facing off as Vanden battled Grant. The Vikings got off to a hot start, leading 30-9 at the end of the first quarter and winning 97-63. Vanden had four players in double figures including: James Carraway and Kimani Dokes with 14, Nate Hibbert with 10, and junior guard Templeton Fountaine V who led with 23 points and nine rebounds. Pacers senior guard Andre Gomez had 18 points in the affair.

“I was going to open spots, running the floor and pulling up from midrange when they were stopping me in the paint,” Fountaine V said. “Our seniors step up as leaders because they want us to win games and they want us to improve.”

The event had the Ron Limeberger Gym packed all day with fans making the trip out and experiencing a great atmosphere with plenty of talent. Many athletes commented on the opportunity to compete in a showcase of this caliber, especially at this time of the season when teams are in the thick of league play.

“I think this is getting us better because once we get into our league, it’s going to be way easier and I like the competition,” Joseph Martin said. 

“I feel like this is very important, especially since our league isn’t the strongest, so being able to go up against strong teams from other areas will definitely get us ready for the playoffs,” Alarbesh said.