Trying to turn a major playoff semifinal matchup into just another game in the minds of his players is the goal for Valley Christian Academy boys basketball coach Brad Gunter as he prepares his squad for Tuesday night.

“I am more concerned with the name on the front of their jersey than anything else,” Gunter said in describing his team’s Sac-Joaquin Section Division V semifinal date with a top-seeded Victory Christian team that has beaten VCA twice this year. “We had this same problem with Bradshaw and overcame that hurdle and hoping to do the same tonight. We have an opportunity at Arco, section title, and a host in Nor Cal playoffs on the line and that is a lot of pressure. I hope that we are the first team to realize that this is another basketball game and can get into a rhythm offensively quickly.”

The Lions struggled to get past Sacramento Waldorf in Friday’s second-round battle, but that game helped Valley Christian prepare for the style of play they will see against the Vikings.

“I think it was good for us that we did not play well and were able to overcome,” Gunter said. “We have had a few games this season that we can call back to memory that we have played poorly and won the game. I expect this to be a dogfight all four quarters and success in the memory bank can only help with that.

“We have one day to prepare for them and trying to simulate their defensive pressure is tough to do. We saw a great glimpse of it in playing Sac Waldorf Friday night and we didn’t respond too well. I am hoping that a reality check of sorts will kick in at practice and we can focus on ball movement a little more.”

Valley Christian will look to its strong core of seniors to deliver big performances as it moves deeper into the playoffs. Senior guard Ryan Cordell is one of the Lions’ key players. At more than 20 points per game, he is the most reliable scoring option on the floor, but Gunter has a lot of other guys to go to in a pinch.

On the perimeter, seniors Rob Frank and Stanley Winters give the Lions strong play at both ends of the floor, and sophomore sharpshooter Jason Gish can go off for major offense. In the paint, a combination of Jesse Peters, Orest Shaynyuk and Zach Stoever must also play well.

Victory Christian comes in off a narrow win of its own, against a Global Youth Charter team that VCA handled easily twice this season. Gunter is quick to discount those who would read anything into those comparative results.

“I know that Global almost got them, but Global runs a five-guard, outside-orientated, drive-and-kick offense,” Gunter said. “Against a man defense that pressures the ball, Global can give anybody fits.”

The Vikings offense revolves around 6-foot-3 senior forward Nathan Coppernoll, who is the team leader in scoring (18.4 points per game), rebounding (8.5) and assists (3.1).

“They are a tough nose man-to-man defensive team that likes to slow it down, but can run if needed,” Gunter said. “They will run up your back if you do not get back. (Nate) Coppernoll is everything to them offensively and is all over the place when he does not have the ball.”

Coppernoll’s younger brother, sophomore Clayton, is a threat from the outside, as is 5-9 senior guard Brad Hoffelt. Hoffelt is the only other Victory player who averages double-digit scoring. The core of this team has been playing together for a long time, which gives the squad a bit of an advantage.

“The biggest thing is that they have played together as a unit since the seventh grade and they do not make very many mistakes defensively or offensively,” Gunter said. “They have a little size to go with their pressure defense, but we have to attack the rim and not settle for contested outside jump shots. Their weakness is their depth. We are much deeper than them, but have to try and attack very smart players.”

After enjoying the luxuries of playing on its home court, Valley Christian must now face the adversity of the road, with a neutral site game that is not scheduled to start until 9 p.m.

“The late start time doesn’t really concern me,” Gunter said. “We practice normally from 7-9 p.m. and most of the time my players do not respond until the later minutes of practice.

“Home court is definitely a huge advantage, but I am more concerned with the magnitude of the game and what is at stake. We have played in a lot of obscure places with no or little fan support and have responded well. The magnitude of the game is the real issue. Players get too amped up and because its Victory Christian it will be worse to calm my players down. A lot of the kids on both teams go to the same church and their two previous wins early in the season loom large in my players mind.”

Gunter points to his team’s need to protect the basketball and to take it away from the Vikings as keys to an upset win for his No. 4 seeded Lions. He also notes that in the earlier matchups this year, VCA has missed a number of close shots, which has somewhat negated its advantage on the backboards.

The Lions are wary of a Viking team that got this far a year ago, but was unable to advance.

“Victory was in the final four last year and lost to eventual section champion Bradshaw Christian,” Gunter said. “They were disappointed last season and in fact I think a little shocked that they did not advance. They have a chip on their shoulder to get to Arco and finish the task left undone last season. We prepare by trying to focus on what we need to do and not the other team. We have to execute on both offensive and defense.”

The game is the fourth of four on the docket Tuesday night at Galt High School and is scheduled to top at 9 p.m. The winner will move on to the section championship game Friday night at Arco Arena.