CARMICHAEL – The Rocklin High boys basketball team finished sixth at the 40th annual Father Barry Christmas Classic hosted by Jesuit High School.

After a slow start in the tournament, the Thunder rebounded to end up in the consolation game against Division V state runner-up and three-time North Coast Section champion St. Joseph Notre Dame Saturday night. However, things would not get much easier.

After steadily falling behind the Pilots, Rocklin entered the fourth quarter down by 14.

“We could’ve accepted the loss heading into the fourth quarter,” said Thunder head coach Casey Cutts, “But we wanted to finish strong and we battled hard, we competed hard and executed well.”

With that mindset, Rocklin rallied back in the final frame and erased that lead with a 17-5 run. With just enough time to get off as shot as time expired, it fell short as time ran out and Notre Dame escaped with a 50-48 victory.

 “It was a tough loss,” said head coach Casey Cutts, “but we played our best game all year.” 

Game 2 – Heading into Friday’s second round game against Xavier from Australia; the Thunder would have to rebound after a tough loss the night before. 

The first quarter looked as if it was going to be a battle between the two countries as Rocklin held a two-point lead at 14-12.

But in the second quarter, the Thunder took advantage of Xavier’s turnovers to increase their lead. Steals by Cole Bridge and Max O’Rourke led to two quick baskets, as Rocklin went up 26-16 with 4:23 left in the half.

Rocklin’s defense also clamped down in the second quarter. The Bolts held Xavier to 1-for-9 shooting from the field and gave up just six free throws. By halftime, the Thunder held a 30-20 lead.

But Xavier came out hot in the third stanza, going toe-to-toe with the Thunder and cut the lead to six with 3:40 left in the period. The boys from the land down under shot 6-8 from the field and 2-for-2 at the free-throw line. 

Rocklin’s defense didn’t seem to have an answer, as Xavier’s center Matthew McCarthy scored 10 of his 16 game points and guard Sean Biernacki added six to his 14-point total, reducing the Thunder’s lead to 47-42.

“Our transition defense suffered,” said Cutts. “We had lower pressure; we’re young and our inexperienced showed in the third.”

The battle continued into the fourth, as Xavier kept pace. But two costly turnovers by the Australians were turned into points by Vinnie Safin and a 3-pointer by O’Rourke with 6:10 left in the game.

Following a backcourt violation, Rocklin’s lead went back up by 10.

 “We’re taking a lot of it with a learning curve,” said Cutts. “I had to calm (the team) down one moment and tell them to speed up the next.  In the fourth, we turned the corner and started clicking.”

The game was sealed when Evan Gustafson was fouled driving to the basket and connected on two, late free throws.  Gustafson scored 14 in the game to help put his club into the consolation game.

Gustafson said the Thunder had to come into the game against Xavier with a different mindset, after the club’s opening tournament loss.

Safin said playing against a team from another country was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“It was exciting to see how they play the game and introducing them to our version of the game over here,” said Safin.

Game 1 – Rocklin didn’t open the tournament on a good note, as they lost the opening round to St. Ignatius 81-48 Thursday night. The Wildcats took full advantage of the Thunder’s youth and inexperience.

“We ran into an experienced team,” said Cutts. “They (were) bigger, stronger and faster.  They took advantage of our youth and our inexperience.  It was a learning experience, a learning curve.  We (are) better prepared for it now.

Source:  http://www.placerherald.com/article/rocklin-boys-compete-father-barry-christmas-classic