Napa, Calif. — Saturday Afternoon | Napa Valley College
Archbishop Riordan and Modesto Christian delivered one of the most competitive games of the weekend Saturday afternoon at the Crush in the Valley Showcase, with the San Francisco-based Crusaders closing strong to secure a hard-fought 64–58 victory at Napa Valley College.
The matchup between two CIF programs lived up to its billing, featuring four quarters of back-and-forth basketball and multiple lead changes. Modesto Christian carried a slim two-point advantage into halftime and still held a one-point lead after three quarters, but the fourth quarter belonged to Archbishop Riordan.
Senior forward Andrew Hillman anchored Riordan on both ends of the floor, finishing with a dominant double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds. His presence inside proved critical as Riordan increased its physicality and execution down the stretch.
JP Pihtovs played a pivotal role in the decisive fourth quarter, scoring 14 points and delivering one of the game’s most important moments with a momentum-shifting block in the paint early in the period. Pihtovs later punctuated the win with a powerful slam dunk with just over a minute remaining, effectively sealing the outcome. DJ Armstrong rounded out Riordan’s balanced scoring attack with 11 points, giving the Crusaders three players in double figures.
Modesto Christian was led by a strong offensive showing from Trevor Dickson, who poured in 22 points to keep the Monarchs within striking distance throughout the contest. Somto Patrick Onoduenyi and Sincere Hudson each added 11 points, while Cole Martin chipped in 10 points, providing Modesto with solid secondary scoring.
Despite the close score, neither team found much rhythm from beyond the three-point arc. Riordan struggled from deep, shooting just 2-for-16, while Modesto Christian was slightly better at 5-for-21. The rebounding battle mirrored the tight nature of the game, with Modesto Christian narrowly edging Riordan 31–30 on the glass.
Ultimately, Riordan’s composure and defensive execution in the final eight minutes made the difference. The Crusaders outscored Modesto Christian 17–10 in the fourth quarter, turning a one-point deficit into a six-point victory.
Saturday’s matchup once again underscored why the Crush in the Valley Showcase remains one of the premier events on the annual high school basketball calendar—bringing together top CIF programs in a competitive, high-level environment that consistently produces memorable performances.
