Crossroads News
Crossroads Boys Basketball Team Wins State Title
Roadrunners defeat Alameda to capture third championship in program history.
During an evening that will be remembered fondly for years to come, the members of the Crossroads boys basketball team went from having a tough game on their hands to holding a California-shaped trophy in their hands.
Players marked the program's third state championship in School history in a celebratory cluster on the court, letting out triumphant cheers as they jumped with joy before receiving medals and posing for photos with the coveted hardware.
“It went just how we planned it,” head coach Anthony Davis said. “We knew were going to have some butterflies, some missed shots, little stuff like that. But these guys found the rhythm and pulled through.”
Crossroads' state championship was a fitting way to finish off a remarkable season during which the team tallied 25 wins, reached the Southern Section finals and secured a state regional title.
The Roadrunners—who paved their way to Sacramento with state playoff victories against Selma, La Jolla Country Day, Cajon and Birmingham—showed determination as they slowly took control against Alameda. Senior forward Shareef O'Neal had 29 points and 17 rebounds to lead the team, and senior guard DJ Houston added 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals.
“We keep calm when the game gets close, and I think that’s the best thing about us,” Shareef said. “I’m really proud of what we’ve done this year. … We had our ups and downs, but we ended it on a good note.”
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Overcoming a long journey to Sacramento and an early deficit on the biggest stage, the Roadrunners captured a CIF State championship by edging Alameda 59-53 in the Division II title game Friday at Golden 1 Center.
Players marked the program's third state championship in School history in a celebratory cluster on the court, letting out triumphant cheers as they jumped with joy before receiving medals and posing for photos with the coveted hardware.
“It went just how we planned it,” head coach Anthony Davis said. “We knew were going to have some butterflies, some missed shots, little stuff like that. But these guys found the rhythm and pulled through.”
Crossroads' state championship was a fitting way to finish off a remarkable season during which the team tallied 25 wins, reached the Southern Section finals and secured a state regional title.
The Roadrunners—who paved their way to Sacramento with state playoff victories against Selma, La Jolla Country Day, Cajon and Birmingham—showed determination as they slowly took control against Alameda. Senior forward Shareef O'Neal had 29 points and 17 rebounds to lead the team, and senior guard DJ Houston added 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals.
“We keep calm when the game gets close, and I think that’s the best thing about us,” Shareef said. “I’m really proud of what we’ve done this year. … We had our ups and downs, but we ended it on a good note.”
