Sac-Joaquin Section brackets released: RV misses out

It was the depth that carried them throughout the season, and the lack of the depth that hurt them in the end.

The River Valley High boys basketball team cruised through its regular season schedule but failed to make the postseason after dropping its last three games of the year.

The Falcons were 18-4 headed into the final two weeks of the season — yes, the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoff bracket is that strong.

Coach Brad McIntire knew, however, that his team was on the bubble coming into Friday's game against Yuba City after a tough loss to Natomas and a stunning defeat to Inderkum. But the Falcons also lost to the Honkers 68-63, and postseason chances slipped to the category of slim to none.

"I'm disappointed for the players," he said. "I can tell you that in all my years of coaching (18 seasons), with a record this good, we've never been left out of the playoffs. I think my players earned a right to be in."

Next season, a board of section managers will review and consider a team's resume for the postseason as long as it has 16 wins, according to McIntire.

"The conference power ranking hurt us, and mathematically, we just didn't make it," he added.

McIntire also congratulated Yuba City for its outstanding run, and added that the Honkers probably deserved a home game.

He also couldn't deny that the losses of Greg Cannon and Stuart Bradley due to injury hindered the team down the stretch.

"Obviously, the two injuries hurt us in the last two games, but that happens," he said.

Bradley and Cannon combined for nearly 10 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals per game during the season.

"The important thing here is that all the games between YC and RV are going to be competitive from this point on," McIntire said. "It's a healthy, fun rivalry, and I hope the community continues to embrace that."

The Falcons beat the Honkers for the first time in program history, but also lost to them in the Mel Good Tournament and in conference play. The margin of victory between the two teams tightened dramatically compared to past seasons, decreasing from as much as 30 in 2009 to just five points this year.

While the Falcons were ousted due to a lackluster ending, the Honkers (17-9) were awarded for their hot finish.

After a checkered start to the season, which also included a five-game losing streak, the Honkers won their last eight of nine games to win the Tri-County Conference outright — a fifth consecutive championship.

Now, No. 11 Yuba City will travel on Wednesday to meet another hot team in No. 6 Del Campo (22-5), which has won seven of its last eight.

The Cougars, of Fair Oaks, bring a balanced attack, and immediately give the Honkers some perspective — the two teams shared six opponents this season. Del Campo has impressive wins over three foes the Honkers came up short against: Granite Bay, Oak Ridge and Nevada Union.

In Division III, Lindhurst will get the comfort of home in its first round game after earning a No. 4 seed.

The Blazers (21-6) knocked off Capital Christian 51-38 on Friday, which gave them a share of the Golden Empire League championship.

Lindhurst will face No. 13 East Union (16-10), of Manteca, on Wednesday. The two teams have no common opponents.

In Division V, Faith Christian (20-6), which ran the table for 11 straight games to open the season, dropped three out of its last five and slipped to a No. 9 seed.

The Lions will visit No. 8 Delta Charter (16-7) of Tracy on Wednesday.

In Division VI, New Life Christian (14-8) rallied to win its last 10 games, securing a Northern Pacific Athletic Conference title and earning a No. 3 seed.

The Crusaders will host No. 6 Lodi Academy (8-11) on Wednesday.

In the girls' brackets, while River Valley posted the best season in program history (21-5 overall), they weren't all that rewarded.

The Lady Falcons were given a No. 15 seed in Division II and must travel Tuesday to play against No. 2 El Camino (23-4), a team that beat River Valley 77-49 earlier this year in the Gridley Lady Bulldog Classic.

In Division VI, the two Yuba-Sutter Christian schools will battle at C.A. Summy Gym on Tuesday in the first round.

No. 4 Faith Christian (16-6) and No. 5 New Life Christian (12-10) faced off against each other to open their seasons — The Lady Lions topped the Lady Crusaders, 43-38.