By Thomas Lawrence
Record Correspondent
Posted Mar 2, 2018 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 2, 2018 at 11:01 PM
STOCKTON — Carson Simi couldn’t even wait for the buzzer.
Instead, the Rams guard sprinted joyfully back to the bench to celebrate with his
teammates as the final seconds ticked away.
Simi was ecstatic because the St. Mary’s boys basketball team had captured the SacJoaquin
Section Division II championship, topping No. 5 Sacramento-Grant 66-56 on
Friday night at Pacific’s Spanos Center.
St. Mary’s (23-8), playing less than three miles from home, celebrated the ninth section
championship in program history. It’s also the third since head coach Ken Green took
over in 2002.
The other two were 2006 (also a NorCal championship season) and 2011.
“This is definitely my favorite moment from these four years,” said Tom Rigdon, a
senior and starting guard, smiling as he watched his teammates hop up-and-down with
the blue section championship banner.
“It’s great for my senior year to go out as champions.”
This one was sweet given how frustrating the second half of Tri-City Athletic League
play was for No. 2 St. Mary’s. The Rams dropped four of their final six league games,
finishing tied for third and clinching a tiebreaker over West.
Green said the Rams lacked offensive chemistry during that time, and once that was
rectified, it ignited every element of their game.
Senior forward Tre Jenkins credits St. Mary’s rise to a focus on unselfishness in
practice… and a team trip to forward Bryce Johnson’s house. The Rams, Jenkins said,
visited Johnson’s house after a one-point loss at the buzzer to West.
Rams beat Grant, claim 9th section crown
