Modesto JC rolls at Mendocino tourney

From the Modesto Bee: "Not much was expected from the Modesto Junior College Pirates at Mendocino’s eight-team John Hogue Memorial Tournament.

Not only were the Pirates 0-3, they were further weakened by the illness absence of sophomore guard Zack Gonzales.

Go figure the Pirates, who swept all three games for the tournament title. Freshman guard Mason Washington, the tournament MVP, finished a top-tier performance by scoring 35 points during MJC’s 70-65 win over Big 8 Conference rival Cosumnes River in Saturday night’s final.

“To start 0-3 and lose Zack, and to improve this much in one week of practice, shows what this team is made of,” MJC coach Paul Brogan praised. “We held three teams in the 60s. We couldn’t guard anyone during the first three games.”

Washington netted all 12 free throws against Cosumnes River, the 2015 Big 8 champion, as MJC (3-3) made 22 of 28 from the line. Tied 24-24 at half, Modesto nursed a lead late in the game. Brennan Pope’s two free throws with eight seconds left increased the lead to five points.

Brandon Moss also helped with 14 points. Sophomore Joe Hamilton joined Washington on the all-tournament team. The Pirates defeated Las Positas 75-64 and Lassen 86-64 to reach the final.

“It was an important weekend for us,” Brogan said. “We needed it for our confidence.”