SAN JOSE — The Archbishop Riordan slam-dunk present rolled into city Friday and placed on the most recent in a season-long collection of commanding performances with an 83-36 blowout win at Valley Christian.
The Crusaders now have the chance to place the ending touches on probably the most dominant season in West Catholic Athletic League historical past after they host second-place St. Ignatius Tuesday in a regular-season finale.
Riordan (22-1 total) has received 13 WCAL video games by a 37-point common margin of victory.in a league often famous for lockdown protection and excessive competitiveness, whereas extending its successful streak in league play to 29 in a row.
Riordan’s Ryder Bush (5) dunks the ball in opposition to Valley Christian within the third quarter at Valley Christian in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group)
Towards third-place Valley Christian, Riordan jumped out to a 17-2 lead, was up 41-24 at halftime and went for the jugular in a 31-point third quarter, taking pictures 12 of 14 from the ground, aided significantly by 4 slam dunks — three by level guard Ryder Bush and one by Texas A&M-bound Jasir Rencher. Riordan had 9 dunks in all.
Rencher scored a game-high 21 factors and broke the 1,000 level barrier for his profession, now with 1,014. Bush had 14 whereas Andrew Hilman and UC Irvine-commit Nes Emeneke scored 11 apiece. Bush and the 6-10 Emeneke each transferred to Riordan from Priory.
Riordan additionally went 14-0 within the WCAL final season, however noticed its season finish in a 49-44 loss to Salesian within the NorCal playoffs. What makes this crew higher outfitted to go additional? For all of the offensive fireworks, the pinnacle coach and gamers all level to an improved protection. It was definitely on show Friday as Valley Christian dedicated 27 turnovers and was held scoreless within the fourth quarter when a operating clock was in operation.
Riordan’s Jasir Rencher (4) dribbles the ball in opposition to Valley Christian’s Bryant Clark (4) within the first quarter at Valley Christian in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group)
“The commitment to really shutting down a team and caring about that more than scoring is the biggest difference,” Riordan coach Joe Curtin mentioned. “Last year we had a great scoring team and a good defensive team. But the difference between being a good defensive team and a great one like this one is the ability to stay with it for four quarters.”
Profitable so many video games by blowout can’t be a lot of a assist in preparation.
“Not the games but our practices for sure,” Rencher mentioned. “The practices are definitely harder than the games. We have the best defense in the state of California in my opinion.”
Valley Christian coach Colin Pfaff is a believer.
“I expect to see them against Harvard-Westlake in the Open Division state championship,” Pfaff mentioned. “With Riordan’s size, athleticism, physicality, how hard they play, they’re definitely the best team in Northern California, hands down. I’d be shocked if they lost to anyone in NorCal.”
Brayden Harris led Valley Christian (17-6, 8-5) with 18 factors, half of his crew’s whole.
Riordan’s Jasir Rencher (4) takes a shot in opposition to Valley Christian’s Mihir Acharya (13) within the first quarter at Valley Christian in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group) 
Riordan’s Jasir Rencher (4) will get water close to the top of a recreation in opposition to Valley Christian within the fourth quarter at Valley Christian in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group) 
Riordan’s Ryder Bush (5) dunks the ball in opposition to Valley Christian within the first quarter at Valley Christian in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group) 
Riordan’s John Tofi (13) takes a shot in opposition to Valley Christian’s John Armeniakos (0) and Valley Christian’s Brayden Harris (24) within the second quarter at Valley Christian in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group) 
Riordan’s Ryder Bush (5) takes a shot in opposition to Valley Christian within the second quarter at Valley Christian in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group) 
Riordan’s JP Pihtovs (21) takes a shot in opposition to Valley Christian’s Jayden Zhuge (5) within the second quarter at Valley Christian in San Jose, Calif., on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Space Information Group)
