When the team on top of your league is also the team that won the section title a year ago, the battle for the league title can seem like a huge step.

At Valley Christian Academy, there has been a mental block associated with attempts to knock off Bradshaw Christian. The Lions only league loss this season came on the road at Bradshaw, and when the two hit the floor at VCA’s senior night Friday, a league title will be the motivation.

“We need to find out if we can ignore the name on the front of their shirts,” said Valley Christian coach Brad Gunter. “This is a big game for us.”

While he has not disclosed it to his squad, Gunter and his coaching staff have been slowly getting ready for Bradshaw for three weeks now, since the loss to the league leaders earlier this season.

“We have slowly worked on things that we can use in the Bradshaw matchup. Little things defensively and offensively have been put into place the second time through league in preparation for that last game,” Gunter said. “We have not looked past anybody, but as a coaching staff we have done certain things on both sides of the ball that has helped us beat other opponents and hopefully made the key things that we need for Bradshaw second nature for our players. I am excited at the chances on Friday night. We have a chance to get back a win from one of the three teams that we have lost to.”

Despite two wins last week, the Lions dropped a spot in the Division V power ratings that were released Tuesday. Strength of schedule moved Ripon Christian all the way to the No. 2 spot.

The key rankings are the ones that will be released Sunday after the conclusion of the regular season. Those will come with brackets for the postseason tournament.

“A higher seed means opponents in that second-tier category. Falling to the four seed would mean a team like Sac Waldorf or Brookside Christian,” Gunter said. “Those types of teams are scary. They are well coached and have the records to prove it. Those types of teams could easily travel and upset you and nobody would be surprised.”

For now, Valley Christian will focus on trying to win the SMAL title and leave the tournament seeding in someone else’s hands.

“The atmosphere in the gym on Friday night is going to be crazy,” Gunter said. “Everyone from parents, alumni, students and just basketball fans has had this one on the calendar all season.

“On top of everything else it is our senior night, which has a lot of emotions in itself. Once again I think which ever team can control their emotions and treat it like any other game first will win. I am excited. These are the games that the kids tell their grandkids about.”

FYI:

Feb. 16 power ratings D-V top five:

1 Bradshaw Christian

2 Ripon Christian

3 Victory Christian

4 Valley Christian

5 Sacramento Waldorf