Riordan can’t cease Brayden Burries, falls to Roosevelt-Eastvale in state Open Division finals

SACRAMENTO — For 30 straight video games, Riordan was a stingy defensive workforce that strung collectively stops when the Crusaders wanted to most.

The San Francisco college had the athleticism, size and grit to match up with nearly anyone it confronted. Riordan hung its hat on protection all 12 months, not permitting an opponent to attain greater than 60 factors in a single recreation

However within the remaining and most essential recreation of the season, the Crusader’s protection was helpless towards Roosevelt-Eastvale’s Brayden Burries.

Burries, a five-star recruit, broke the report for many factors scored in an Open Division remaining as he completed with 44 factors to guide Roosevelt to a 80-60 win over Riordan and a state championship in an all-time efficiency. Roosevelt gained its second state title and its first within the Open Division.

“I feel like I was just in that mode,” Burries stated. “And then when I got in the court, it was over for them.”

Roosevelt’s Brayden Burries (5) hugs his father Bobby Burries after defeating Archbishop Riordan throughout their 2025 CIF State Basketball Championship Open Division boys recreation at Golden 1 Middle in Sacramento, Calif., on Saturday, March 15, 2025. Roosevelt defeats Archbishop Riordan 80-60. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)

Burries was an environment friendly 15 of twenty-two from the sphere and in addition grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.

“I think he got going early,” Riordan coach Joey Curtain stated of Burries’ efficiency. “We tried face guarding him. We tried throwing completely different our bodies at him, various kinds of defenders, completely different sizes.

“Hats off to Burries there. He played phenomenal.”

Riordan senior and Texas A&M commit Jasir Rencher led the Crusaders with 22 factors and junior Andrew Hilman totaled 11.

Roosevelt believed Riordan wasn’t able to play a workforce just like the Mustangs.

“No disrespect to Riordan, they play hard and they’re a tough team,” Roosevelt coach Stephen Singleton stated. “But what we went through to get here is unmatched across the whole country. … They haven’t seen what we’ve seen all year.”

Led by Burries, Roosevelt punished Rioirdan’s protection early.

The Mustangs received to the free throw line typically, hitting all 13 of their foul pictures within the first quarter. Riordan’s offense performed nicely because the Crusaders shot 46.2% from the sphere within the first half, however didn’t have a solution for Burries.

Burries shot 10 for 13 from the sphere and hit all 4 of his free throws to complete with 27 factors within the first half. The five-star recruit scored in nearly any means he needed, hitting outdoors pictures and scoring in transition whilst Riordan threw double groups his means.

Hilman’s 10 factors stored Riordan within the recreation because the Crusaders went down 44-33 at half.

Archbishop Riordan’s Ryder Bush (5) battles Roosevelt’s Issac Williamson (12) for a rebound within the first half of their 2025 CIF State Basketball Championship Open Division boys recreation at Golden 1 Middle in Sacramento, Calif., on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)

The halftime break didn’t cool Burries down within the third quarter. Riordan threw a number of defenders at Burries, however the 6-foot-4 senior was already in a groove.

He made a ridiculous pull-up 3 from the highest of the important thing and was fouled within the course of that pushed Roosevelt’s result in 16 simply minutes into the second half.

An up-and-under layup, a few free throws and an and-one pull-up jumper capped off Burries’ 12-point third quarter. Roosevelt led by 17 coming into the ultimate interval and Riordan by no means threatened to get again within the recreation.

The Crusaders made simply two area objectives within the fourth quarter and couldn’t string collectively stops to stifle Roosevelt’s run.

Burries’ remaining made area aim got here on a thunderous one-handed slam after Roosevelt efficiently broke a Riordan press to hammer the nail even farther into Riordan’s coffin.

“What we saw on film was that they played hard for maybe the first 10 seconds of a possession, but after that it starts opening up,” Singleton stated. “They’re not as disciplined as I feel like we are.”

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