There wasn't a more athletic bunch in the Sac-Joaquin Section than those on the floor last night when No. 4 Sacramento High took on No. 3 Sheldon in the final game of the seven-game, day-long Hoops Classic 2009! at Sacramento State.
Both teams put on an entertaining show before the Dragons eventually prevailed 66-57 in the nearly full Hornets Nest.
Give Sheldon credit.
The Huskies hung with the Dragons until nearly the end despite losing standout senior point guard Marcus Jackson to a left ankle injury with 1:35 to play in the first quarter after he slipped on the floor.
Jackson, a four-year starter averaging nearly 16 points a game, was seen after the contest leaving the gym on crutches, which might not bode well for the Huskies as they return to Delta River League play this week.
Sheldon led by two, 50-48, midway through the fourth quarter before the Dragons went on a 9-0 run and executed well from the foul line.
Sacramento made 11 of 13 free throws in the final period and Sheldon struggled with happy feet as the Huskies were whistled for 10 fourth-quarter turnovers, many for traveling.
The guard trio of Travon Abraham (20 points), Josiah Turner (17 points) and Chase Tapley (14 points) continue to excel both offensively and defensively for Sacramento.
But the role players helped, too.
Senior Denzel Pruitt made a key three-pointer with 2:30 to play to put Sac up 55-50; senior Chris Avenant made Sheldon star Darius Nelson work for his shots early in the game and 6-foot-7 junior Will Davis and 6-10 sophomore Robert Garrett held their own against Sheldon's 6-6 Nelson and 6-8 sophomore phenom Ramon Eaton, who was limited to just one of three field-goal attempts in the second half in finishing with eight points.
While the hard-working but fatigued Nelson led Sheldon with a team-high 17 points, he couldn't find his shot (6-of-18 shooting from the field) and also was called three times for traveling in the final quarter.
The Dragons have now won three straight since their three-game losing skid, including a forfeit, in the midst of a violation of team and schools rules that led to the suspension of 10 of the team's 15 players.
Sheldon has dropped two of its last three, including a 60-52 loss to top-ranked Folsom in the league opener on Wednesday.
