The Davis boys basketball team and "The System" aren't going down without a fight.

The Blue Devils, who appeared out of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoff race a week ago, have bounced back with three consecutive Delta Valley Conference wins.

The streak started Jan. 27 with an 86-84 win over Elk Grove in triple overtime and continued last Wednesday with a 94-81 overtime win against Grant. Friday, the visiting Blue Devils routed Laguna Creek 104-66.

Davis, 23rd in the first section power ratings last week, is now 16th, the final qualifying position.

The Blue Devils (13-10, 4-3) are tied with Elk Grove for second place in the DVC with three league games left. Davis hosts Monterey Trail on Friday.

Monterey Trail (6-18, 2-5) beat Davis in their previous meeting 64-61. The 61 points were the fewest scored this season by the Blue Devils, the state scoring leaders at 83.7 points per game using "The System," assistant coach Gary Smith's full-court pressing and quick-shooting scheme.

Waiting for Mr. Smith – Defending Pioneer Valley League champion and No. 14 Center likely will play Thursday's rivalry game at No. 6 Foothill without senior star Christopher Smith.

Smith, who is averaging 21.3 points, has been out since rolling his left ankle in a practice the day before Center's first game against Foothill on Jan. 25.

"Two weeks have gone by, and we thought he'd be ready this week, but he's still only 60 to 70 percent," Center coach Ray Gagnon said. "We're hoping he can play against Bear River (Tuesday), or we just may wait until the playoffs."

Without Smith, Center lost to Foothill 74-52, and then lost 55-51 to unranked Bear River in Lake of the Pines two days later. The Cougars rebounded with wins over Placer (64-54) and Lincoln (64-60).

"If there is a positive, some of our kids are realizing they can do more," Gagnon said. "It's also given some kids more playing time, which should help us in the playoffs."

Swafford joins 300 club – Sacramento High's Derek Swafford won his 300th game at the Oak Park charter school Thursday when the Dragons beat Hiram Johnson 83-47 in a Metro Conference game.

Swafford, who has coached 12 seasons and won five Division III section championships and one CIF NorCal Regional title, was to be honored for the achievement before Tuesday night's game against Rosemont.

Sac High athletic director Justin Gatling said Swafford would receive a patch for the letterman's jacket he proudly wears around campus.

"We've been fortunate to have coach Swafford in our program," Gatling said. "He's dedicated, and his 300-79 record (entering the week) at our school says a lot about him."

Sheldon's test – The Huskies, coming off a last-second 71-70 Delta River League victory over Jesuit on Friday and a tough 63-61 loss to Northern California's top-ranked Salesian of Richmond the next night, hosts Oak Ridge tonight in another Delta River matchup.

The Trojans are the only area team to beat Sheldon this season, 39-35 on Jan. 25 in El Dorado Hills.

Sheldon, state ranked No. 7 by MaxPreps.com and No. 17 by Cal-Hi Sports, plays at Ponderosa on Friday before hosting Berkeley on Saturday.

Another big game tonight – Jesuit is at Pleasant Grove tonight in a Delta River League battle that will break a tie for second (both teams are 5-2 in league) and have huge power ratings implications.

Pleasant Grove is third-seeded and Jesuit is fifth-seeded in this week's Division I power rankings.

The top four seeded teams in divisions I-IV have the potential of playing two home playoff games.

State leader – Sacramento Waldorf senior Chris Schwartz-Edmisten leads the state in scoring at 34.2 points a game. He scored 34 in the Waves' 60-45 win over Woodland Christian on Friday.

THE BEE'S TOP 20

PR – previous ranking; records through Sunday

– Bill Paterson

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