CIFSS 3A Division Preview
The new CIF Southern Section competitive equity format has shaken up the playoff divisions for the 2017-18 season and beyond.
Let’s take a deeper dive into exactly what competitive equity means.
The division placement for each team is based upon a two-year weighted power point total, as described by the CIF-SS website, which take into account strength of a team’s regular season schedule results (33 percent) and playoff performance results (67 percent).
In addition, regular season contests are weighted based on strength of opponents. For example, a victory over a team in Division 1 is given more “points” than a win over a team in Divisions 2, 3, 4, and 5 and the same goes for playoff performance results.
The past CIF division placements have revolved mostly around number of enrollment, and while the number of students at a specific school is no longer a determining factor, the division breakdowns, especially toward the lower end, still have many of the smaller schools in those lower divisions.
CIFSS 3A Division Preview: Top Contenders
Culver City Centaurs
Exit Adam Eskridge and enter Reggie Morris Jr. as the Centaurs project to being one of the elite teams of the division due to a host of transfers and an outstanding freshman. Morris Jr. has taken over a squad that was 10-17 last season. However, due to an influx of talent led by the terrific duo of 6-foot-5 senior Cyrus Johnson (explosive inside-out scorer) and 6-foot-6 senior Tevian Jones (D1 wing-type) and the Centaurs should be the favorites to cut down the nets. The future looks bright as well as 6-foot-4 sophomore Keith Dinwiddie and 6-foot freshman T.J. Wainwright have bright futures.
Riverside Notre Dame Titans
Robert Robinson, after a scintillating 31-4 season, may have a better all-around team this season. All CIFSS selection 6-foot-3 Anthony Holland and 6-foot-3 Dondre Bausley are part of an impressive group of juniors that will make a push for a championship. With help from a couple of talented junior transfers in 6-foot-5 Anton Mozga (West Valley) and 6-foot-2 Pierce Sterling (La Quinta) the Titans have a wealth of perimeter prospects.
Murrietta Mesa Rams
Despite the 10-17 from a year ago and losing it’s top two scorers (Anthony Routh and Brandon McIntosh), Head Coach Chris Jones should be feeling pretty optimistic due to a talented brother tandem in the likes of 6-foot-6 Shamar Wright and Lamar Wright. The slick lefty Shamar has playmaking skills while Lamar has a nose to score. Combine this with 6-foot4 junior Devin Fortune and 5-foot-7 Trevon Wright, and the Rams are a definite team to keep an eye on heading into this season.
Blair Vikings
Jelani Gardner (well known within the So-Cal basketball folklore) inherits a program coming off a 25-8 record. It is true that the Vikings lost Jack Dakan (12 ppg) and Caleb Smith (10.3 ppg) from a year ago, but the returning pieces are formidable—led by 6-foot-7 leading scorer Desmond Washington. Washington can impacts the game with his length/athleticsm, and scoring skills inside-and-out while fellow senior and returning starter 6-foot-1 Gabriel Snow leads the backcourt. Look for 6-foot-2 Dallas Murray to take his game to a new level as well.
San Bernardino Cardinals
Losing Mathew Bradley to Wasatch Academy in Utah definitely puts a damper heading into the season, but the Cardinals always have a collection of athletes led by 6-3 senior Kae Jon Barnes who is a returning All CIFSS selection. His scoring and rebounding prowess will help stop some of the leaks due to Bradley’s departure. In addition, 6-foot Trayvon Davis (rangy scorer/defender) and 5-foot-11 junior Ty Jon Barnes (quick and a ball hawk) should make Darin Graham’s squad dangerous once each player finds his role.
Sleepers
Price Knights
Head Coach Donnell Meekins and his squad should improve upon their 9-17 record from last season. Look for the Knights to start getting back to their medieval ways with the likes of fast-rising senior 6-foot-4 Gary Harris who can score in bunches. Darius Ates and burly 6-foot-5 junior Kobe Craig should alleviate Harris from all the scoring responsibilities.
Marina Vikings .
Going out on a limb here with this sleeper-pick, due to Marina’s 3-23 record from last season. However, the Vikings have a much-improved 6-foot-9 junior in Deen Keeler (Raw, but active LH post) and 6-foot 4 blue-collar junior Jakob Alamudun should make a Marina a team to keep an eye on.
Moorpark Musketeers
The Musketeers have a wealth of returners, but it’s the emergence of 6-fooot-5 Drake London that has Blake Jenkins’ squad on the watch list. The multi-skilled London is a crafty playmaker who affects the game in multiple ways due to his savvy and overall talent.