Ten years ago on Feb. 24, 2000, Mariposa standout Logan Mankins scored 40 points to lead the Grizzlies past Christian Brothers’ Falcons in the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV basketball playoffs.

Mankins, now an All-Pro starting guard for the New England Patriots of the NFL, will offer his apparent heir, Cody Wichmann, some words of encouragement before Wednesday night’s first round clash in the Loyd Hobby Gymnasium at 7 p.m.

Wichmann, a 6’5” 275-pound senior center, has had an outstanding final season in his Grizzly jersey, but it may take a herculian effort to best Christian Brothers.

On paper, Mariposa should cruise to victory. But the distinct difference is the level of competition each team has experienced this season.

The Grizzlies had little trouble marching to 15-0 in the section’s weak-sister conference, the Southern Athletic League. On the other hand, Christian Brothers competes in the loaded Sierra Valley League in Sacramento, and its schedule included a number of games against Division II and III teams.

The Falcons are led by a pair of seniors. Jake Modeste, a 6’4” forward averages 11.9 points per game and hits 86 percent of his field goal attempts. Flanking Modeste in the paint is 6’5” senior Asante Cleveland. Cleveland averages 9.7 points and 6 rebounds per game, along with 1.5 blocks. He’s a dominate player in the key, and often fuels the Falcons’ fast-break.

By contrast, Mariposa’s Wichmann averages 19.3 points and 12.2 rebounds per game, but in a much weaker conference. Senior Pierce Chaney’s contribution will be important. Chaney, a 6’3” senior forward, averages 10 points per game. On the other side is 6’7” junior forward Drake Long who averaged 6.8 points per game. In the back court, the Grizzlies are led by 6’0” senior point guard Jarrett Miller, who posts an average of 4.9 assists per game, and Parker Shaddix, a 5’9” senior guard averaging 6.6 points per game.

The Falcons finished 5-7 in league play and were 12-14 overall. They lost their last 4 games, and 5 of their last 6 to be ranked 11th in the final section power ratings. Two weeks ago they were ranked second, just behind section powerhouse Colfax, which beat the Falcons in mid-December, 43-42. Mariposa finished rated sixth and rolled to a 24-3 overall record.

Christian Brothers averages 39.3 points per game, and 16.5 rebounds. The Grizzlies are averaging 61.7 points per game, far above the national average of 48.2, and Mariposa grabs an average 44.9 caroms per contest.

Tickets for the game are $8 for adults, and $5 for students. ASB cards, or any other passes are not recognized.