No. 5 Sheldon Huskies top No. 4 Jesuit in Marauders’ final season in the Delta League
The Sheldon Huskies have all the makings of another championship basketball team, but the little things that can morph into big things continue to fluster the coaches. They preach effort and fundamentals like a sideline chorus.
Led by head man Joey Rollings, the coaches have pleaded for more patience, of slowing it down a notch or two, of not forcing things. In other words: Feel the game, understand the game, play the game.
All of this is correctable. The talent and effort is rarely an issue for the longtime powerhouse program from the Elk Grove Unified School District. On Wednesday night in a Delta League opener between Sacramento Bee-ranked rivals, No. 5 Sheldon defeated No. 4 Jesuit, the defending league champion, 67-61.
The showdown carried extra significance in the Marauders’ final season in the league before realignment moves them to new territory.
It was a hard-earned home triumph for Sheldon that was equal parts old habits early and satisfying. Wins are cherished in this league as the Huskies evened their record at 7-7. The schedule had the program engage in out-of-state tournaments in Las Vegas and Idaho.
This was Sheldon’s first contest this season against a CIF Sac-Joaquin Section opponent. The ambitious early scheduling by Rollings is designed to help the team bond on the road, to face teams from all over, to experience and learn.
A year ago, Sheldon went an uncharacteristic 14-14, losing all the close games. The trend carried over to this early season with second-half leads evaporating, the Huskies undone by their own mistakes and stout competition.
Against Jesuit, Sheldon did enough of the right things — sharing the ball, defending with purpose and making late free throws — to make the effort last to the end. It played out in a gymnasium that included Sheldon’s tremendous band, which required people to yell at each other to be heard.
“We have so much ability, but we force shots, we’re not always patient, we sometimes play too fast,” Rollings said. “But we’re getting there. I love how hard we play. I can live with the effort. The other things drive me crazy. Hopefully, we’ll continue to learn and grow from games like this.”
The Huskies have no choice. The schedule won’t allow for lapses. The Delta League race includes No. 6 Franklin and No. 18 Cosumnes Oaks, among others. On Friday, Sheldon hosts decades-long rival Elk Grove, and on Saturday, it plays Granada of Livermore in a nonleague showcase at Capital Christian.
Spears is Sheldon’s star
Sheldon’s powerfully built and versatile 6-foot-4 junior guard Jaden Spears scored 15 points. He played strong defense and had enough lift in his legs to punctuate the team’s effort with a steal and dunk for a 65-59 lead with 9.4 seconds left.
Spears lives for this sort of thing, pouring himself into this sport. He wants to lead, wants to make plays. He wants to play this sport until someone tells him he no longer can.
“He’s starting to come into his own,” Rollings said. “He can play all five spots on the floor. He can play defense, score. He’s doing it all for us.”
Spears has a scholarship offer from Sacramento State and expects to get more as the season rolls on. A 3.0 student, Spears said his job in this sport is, simply, to “give it my best.”
Spears is also a leader who is not afraid to implore effort, and he accepts the same challenges from coaches and teammates.
“We huddle up, talk about slowing down, working together,” Spears said. “We can be really good.”
The supporting cast is already really good. This has long been the norm for Rollings and the Huskies since he took over as coach in 2009 after leading the Sheldon girls basketball program to championships. Sheldon has annually featured fierce guards who play tough defense and share the ball when not attacking the rim or making jumpers, but it is the team’s balance and depth that have set the program apart.
Sheldon is aiming for its 10th league championship since 2011 and its 11th CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I finals appearance in the same stretch. The Huskies have won eight section crowns, seven under Rollings and longtime assistant coaches such as Mike Bradley, Brandon Gouveia, Rich Manning and Rich Viano-Nitschke.
Sheldon’s support crew
Junior guard Muhamad Singleton scored 14 points for Sheldon. He made all eight of his free throws in the fourth quarter, including four in the final 28 seconds.
Senior forward Jaden Woodard muscled inside for 11 points. Senior guard Nick Stone hit outside shots, posting 11 points and six rebounds. Junior forward Zamani Mashinini-Nigl banged inside for six points while guards Zion Johnson and Tyler Rattler combined for 10. Rattler had nine assists and Johnson five rebounds.
The Huskies played excellent defense on Jesuit’s fine senior guard Kevin Haupt, who was held to six points. Jesuit’s 6-8 senior forward Cole Epperson had 23 points, scoring inside and out. His 3-pointer pulled Jesuit to within 61-59 with 54.6 seconds left, but the Marauders, playing just their third local opponent of the season, could get no closer in falling to 8-5. Senior guard Justin Lara scored nine points for Jesuit and junior guard Like Browne had five.
Jesuit, certainly, has a team capable of winning another Delta crown. There is size, shooting, depth and experience, but like any high school team, there are defensive breakdowns and offensive lulls.
“We weren’t very sharp tonight,” Jesuit coach Tim Kelly said. “Credit to Sheldon, but we’ve got to be better.”
Jesuit has been part of the Delta League since the early 1980s with brief stops elsewhere. The Marauders and rival Davis head to the Sierra Foothill League starting in the fall. This CIF realignment agreement is for all sports. It was a move Davis and Jesuit both wanted.
Sheldon and Jesuit have engaged in many a Delta basketball duel, including the playoffs. The Marauders have produced some of the best teams and players in league history.
“I love playing Jesuit,” Rollings said. “I wish they’d stay in our league.”
The rematch is Feb. 7 at Jesuit. Any showdowns after that would be in the playoffs.
This story was originally published January 4, 2024 at 2:27 PM.