HS HOOPS: Village Christian looks to peak in playoffs

Like a fish trying to swim upstream, Marquis Salmon and his Village Christian teammates have a tough one tonight at 7 against second-seeded St. Margaret's in the second round of the Southern Section Div. V-AA playoffs -- but it's not impossible.

The host Crusaders (15-12) get St. Margarets in their own gym -- it's a long drive from San Juan Capistrano -- and after losing their final two regular-season games, Village Christian is hoping to jumpstart itself in the playoffs and perhaps eventually advance past the quarterfinals for the first time in the school's 65-year history.

Salmon, a 6-foot-7 junior, is averaging 28 points and 16 rebounds over the past six games.

"He definitely has an impact on the game," first-year coach John Shaw said. "He plays at a high level, he's a great kid, and he's being recruited as a junior."

Village Christian has had seven coaches over the past 10 seasons, and Shaw is trying to give the program some stability.

"Nothing's been established yet. That's what we're trying to do," he said.

St. Margaret's is 18-6 and has won eight in a row.

"They're a very well-coached team, and they have a lot of high-IQ kids that shoot well," Shaw said. "Their three best players really shoot the ball well."