CIF-SS Championships: Division 2AA Capsule
The CIF-SS boys basketball championship games from the Open Division on down to Division 5AAA will be played over the next two days at various sites across Southern California.
The Division 2AA match-up is one of familiar sides as Gold Coast League foes Santa Monica Crossroads and Brentwood play one another for the third time this season.
The Roadrunners, led by recent UCLA-commit Shareef O’Neal, won both tilts over the Eagles this season by a combined margin of eight points.
Below is a capsule of storylines to watch for, who to watch and what the keys will be for either side to come away with a victory.
Crossroads
Overall Record: 20-8
League Record: 6-1, second in Gold Coast League
Top Players: F Shareef O’Neal (6-9, 200, Sr., UCLA-commit); G DJ Houston (6-2, 175, Sr.); G Tamir Saban (6-2, 160, Sr.); F Benjamin Terry (6-3, 160, Sr.); G Xade Wharton-Ali (6-0, 140, Sr.)
Others to Watch: G Yukki Okubo (5-8, 150, So.); F Jay Davis (6-7, 180, Sr.); G Miles Ceballos (6-3, 170, So.)
How They Win: I guess the key for Crossroads would be to do whatever it is it did in the first two match-ups. Shareef O’Neal has the athletic and size advantage over everyone on the floor, and if he’s engaged and operating around the basket where few will be able to stop him, The Roadrunners should find themselves in a good position at the end of the game. The offensive contributions of Houston and Saban will be another key factor for Crossroads. O’Neal can’t do it all himself and those two are the other capable scorers on this team.
Brentwood
Overall Record: 23-7
League Record: 5-2, third place Gold Coast League
Top Players: G Sam Clareman (6-3, 160, Jr.); F Braelee Albert (6-6, 185, Jr.); G Charlie Wadler (5-10, 150, Sr.); G Eric Olofson (6-4, 170, Jr.); F C.J. Woods (6-5, 180, So.)
Others to Watch: G Brett Polson (5-11, 150, Jr.); F Brayden Thomas (6-9, 170, So.)
How They Win: If Olfoson is back healthy and playing at the level he’s capable of, Brentwood has a very good chance to pull of an upset of sorts. Coach Moose Bailey’s team always plays with a high basketball IQ, moves the ball quickly, makes the extra pass and he’s got plenty of shooters to spread the floor. If Clareman and Wadler are canning triples at a high rate, look for this to be a close one.