Lindhurst draws Foothill

A challenge awaits the Lindhurst High boys basketball team Wednesday in the opening round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. III playoffs.

The Blazers (17-11) drew the No. 15 seed in the postseason and will travel to No. 2 Foothill (21-6), winners of the Capital Valley League with a perfect 12-0 record, for a 7 p.m. game.

“Foothill is good, really athletic and will be the best defensive team we have faced all year,” Jensen said. “Their coach (Drew Hibbs) has won two state championships, so he knows what he is doing, obviously.”

Jensen also said that the Mustangs do not have much height, which is good for a smaller Lindhurst team.

“That's a factor for us,” Jensen said. “Their biggest guy is about 6-3 or 6-4, so that's an easier matchup.”

Jensen said the key will be limiting the number of turnovers against an extreme amount of defensive pressure.

“We can't turn the ball over up top and give them easy points in transition,” he said. “We have to make them work for baskets in the half court.”

Troy Bowens has been a force inside for the Blazers, scoring 19.1 points per game. Anthony Lipkins has been solid from the outside, knocking down 80 3-pointers. Robbie Brown has been the court general, averaging 6.8 assists per game.

Foothill is led by guard Marcel Smith (16.8 ppg) and guard Jamelle Barrett (14.7 ppg).

Div. V

No. 15 Faith Chr. at No. 2 Capital Chr.

The Lions (14-11) will need to find a way to contain forward Royal Edwards and Matt Simpkins and limit their number of turnovers in order to beat the extremely difficult Cougars (24-3)

Hayden Keeley is averaging 20.2 points per game for Faith Christian, and Michael Garrett has scored 12.5 per game.

Edwards is averaging a double-double of 21.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game for Golden Empire League champion Capital Christian. The 6-foot-10 Simpkins is averaging 18.1 point and 14.6 rebounds per game.

Capital has won their last six games and 16 of their last 17.

Faith broke a three-game skid with a victory in its regular-season finale.

GIRLS

Div. V

No. 15 Faith Chr. at No. 2 Capital Chr.

The Lions (13-12) have lost four straight and things won't get any easier against the Cougars (22-5), who rolled to a perfect 14-0 record in the Golden Empire League.

Capital Christian is led by 6-foot forward Christina Thompson 13.6 ppg, 10.2 rpg game.