Seven years of chemistry added up to 32 minutes of brilliance for the Forest Lake Christian boys basketball team Friday night.
The Falcons’ dominant postseason run continued at Arco Arena as they beat Brookside Christian 77-58 to win the program’s first Sac-Joaquin Section championship.
Senior Andrew Ritchart scored a game-high 28 points and sophomore brother Josh Ritchart added 21 as Forest Lake (22-9) earned itself a home date in the CIF Northern California playoffs Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Andrew Ritchart scored the first seven points of the game and fourth-seeded Forest Lake never trailed. The Knights made several runs at the lead, but never seriously threatened thanks to the leadership of Ritchart, Austin Maynard and Ben Sparling.
“These three seniors have been starters for three years and adversity has strengthened us,” Forest Lake coach Dave Thomas said. “I’m just very proud of them.”
Forest Lake held Brookside Christian star Paris Hill to 19 points – two shy of Bill Cartwright’s Sac-Joaquin Section scoring record.
Josh Ritchart dominated inside with six blocks. The Knights were forced to the perimeter in the second half and managed to hit 6 of 21 from 3-point range. Brookside shot 31.8 percent for the game.
Maynard finished with 15 points, hitting 5 of 8 from 3-point land. Sparling chipped in with nine points, eight rebounds and four steals.
By Todd Mordhorst, Auburn Journal Sports Editor
Photograph by Philip Wood/Auburn Journal