I felt like I was in a scene out of the movie Hoosiers.

I know I was in Roseville, and not Hickory, but there is a high school gym in this town that reminds me of those that Gene Hackman coached in during that movie. A school with just 101 registered high school students that is establishing a tradition of basketball excellence.

I took a trip to the gym at Valley Christian Academy Monday night to watch the Lions take on Forest Lake Christian, with their UC Davis-bound big man Josh Ritchart. The small facility was packed with an enthusiastic crowd for a non-league game played during the holiday break.

It was not the first time I have been to a game at VCA, a small private school that competes at a high level in Division V basketball and that has won two straight D-VII baseball titles. Brad Gunter is the athletic director and coaches both the baseball team and the boys basketball team.

I was at the Rocklin Holiday Tournament last week as well, and at least on the nights I was there, the crowd was small. That will change when SFL regular season hoops begins in January, but it was nice to discover the best kept secret in town in an electric atmosphere over at Valley Christian.

The Lions won the game in a rout. This team can flat out play, and their style of play reminds me why I love basketball – pressure defense, running the floor at high speed and raining 3-pointers. Head over there some night, and I promise you will not be disappointed.