CIF-SS Playoff Capsule: Division 3A
The regular season came to an end on Saturday for CIF Southern Section teams, signaling the end to the 2019-20 campaign for some programs and the beginning of the postseason for others. Coaches and players must now change gears and…
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Continue ReadingThe regular season came to an end on Saturday for CIF Southern Section teams, signaling the end to the 2019-20 campaign for some programs and the beginning of the postseason for others. Coaches and players must now change gears and focus their energy to a win or go home scenario.
The CIF-SS breaks its playoff teams into ten divisions: The highest being the Open Division which is made up of the eight best programs and down through 5A. Teams are sorted into their respective divisions based on the competitive equity format which takes into account a program’s success over the last two years, resulting in an average score, and then divisional placement.
In these capsules, we’ll take a look at the favorites, darkhorses and highlight some of the players to watch. Here is our Division 3A capsule.
The Favorite(s)
Village Christian
The top-seeded crusaders come into the postseason with a 22-6 record and a co-championship of the Olympic League with Heritage Christian under their belt. Village Christian has some outstanding senior guard play led by Matt Lee and Jordan Fuller, along with senior forward Amari Pouncy. Look for freshmen Immanuel Taylor and Thomas Luczak to play crucial roles in order for the Crusaders to make as deep of a run as expected.
Shadow Hills
The Indio-based club brings a 24-3 record into the postseason and won a co-championship share of the Desert Empire league alongside Palm Springs. The Knights are led by a dynamic senior wing in Dominic Escobar, who at 6-feet-5, has shown the ability to score inside and out. The backcourt duo of Deonta Strange and Cord Stansberry makes Shadow Hills a formidable squad against any team in Division 3A.
The Spoiler(s)
Fountain Valley
The Barons continue to progress under third-year coach D’Cean Bryant as the young group the program has assembled becomes more confident each and every year. Jeremiah Davis will be the catalyst for any run Fountain Valley plans to make as the 6-foot-3 junior is a 20-plus point scoring threat on any given night. The Barons need stability from their young guards in Roddie Anderson and Aden Casarez. Anderson must play under control and Casarez must hit shots for the Barons to win close games. Look for Versatile wing/forward Preston Amarillo to act as a stabilizing force when needed.
Valley Christian
A good guard has the ability to carry a team pretty deep into a playoff run and Malvin Payero has the scoring ability and leadership to do just that. The 5-foot-9 point guard is a dynamic scorer who can get downhill and put pressure on defenses. He’s also a big time playmaker on the defensive end. Sophomore guard Nate Medina can knock down open shots consistently and 6-foot-8 sophomore center Melian Martinez has game-changing rim protecting ability.
Five Players to Watch
Daniel Rouzan, Eisenhower – The 6-foot-8 big man has been putting up gaudy scoring and rebounding numbers this season, averaging 21.1 points and 17.2 boards per contest. Rouzan is a throwback style big man with his back to the basket game and the junior has grabbed 20-plus rebounds six times this season.
Dominic Escobar, Shadow Hills – As we mentioned above, Escobar is a high motor and high production wing who folds in dynamic playmaking ability into his game, as well. At 6-feet-5 and 190 pounds, the senior is a tough cover due to his combination of strength, speed, ball skills and perimeter shooting ability.
Dominic Escobar is the catalyst for Shadow Hills’ attack on both ends of the floor.Jeremiah Davis, Fountain Valley – Davis is one of the best junior guards in Orange County. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard is adept at slashing off the ball and finishing craftily around the basket or pulling up from the mid-range level with a fluid jump shot. Davis is averaging better than 20 points per game for the Barons this season.
Malvin Payero, Valley Christian – Payero brings game-changing energy to both ends of the floor. Defensively, he’s an active on-ball defender who accounts for multiple steals or pass deflections per game. Offensivley, the senior is a blur in transition and finishes strong through contact around the rim. He also does a nice job of creating shots for teammates on drive-and-kicks.
Matt Lee, Village Christian – Lee is a bulldog of a scorer and can do so at all three levels of the floor. The 5-foot-11 senior knocks down rhythm 3-point shots with consistency and uses the bounce and elusiveness to create his own shot in isolation. Lee also possesses a strong frame which allows him to absorb and finish through contact on drives.