CIF San Diego Section Div. 5 Preview
Let’s get the obvious out of the way: The San Diego Section Division 5 ≠ Southern Section Division 5.
In its fourth season, the section’s competitive balance system has moved previous Division 5 strongholds such as Foothills Christian and Horizon into higher divisions, leaving the section’s lowest division with teams that don’t have the most competitive programs. In fact, many of the programs don’t readily post information about their teams on sites such as Maxpreps.
This make’s doing a preview that much more difficult.
But hey, someone has to win a championship.
Here’s Prep Hoops best attempt at handicapping San Diego’s D5 field.
TOP CONTENDERS:
Large schools
Clairemont
The competitive balance system is a blessing for programs like the Chieftains, a San Diego school with more than 1,000 students but a long record of futility. Now, they have an inherent advantage over many of the smaller magnet schools in the division simply based off of sheer numbers. The Chieftains return 10 players from last year’s team including 6-4 senior forwards Nick Davidson and Nick Adams. Adams is a solid four man; Davidson, an explosive athlete and standout volleyball player. Sophomore point guard James Jarvis has also improved.
San Pasqual
Count the Golden Eagles as another beneficiary of the enrollment imbalance. After failing to win a game the entire season (0-27), former San Pasqual legend Erik Meek has taken the reins of the program, which hasn’t had a winning season in 12 years. The good news is that the team returns a number of young players, including 6-4 senior C Justis Crawford, junior guards Raymund Rodriguez and Vojo Danilovic, and junior forward Ammon Scott.
San Diego Southwest
Venerable coach Steve Selland, entering his 31st season with the Raiders, took top-seeded Health Sciences down to the wire in last year’s section semifinals before falling to the eventual champions. On paper, the team should be a clear favorite to win it – if his returners return. Selland lists senior forward Jaime Ortiz and junior guards Isaac Gonzalez and Diego Edwards has his top returners.
Small schools
Escondido Charter
Injuries really hurt the White Tigers last season. But head coach Dave Vidosic said that this is the most talented roster he’s had. The team returns four of its five leading scorers, including senior guard Josiah Champagne and senior forward Tim Perez. Junior point guard Aristotle Douglas, an Escondido transfer, is the ex factor, as Vidiosic said he likes his quickness and scoring ability.
San Diego Academy
The Cavaliers return nine players from last year’s 14-8 team, including 5-9 senior guard Gustavo Saldana, last year’s leading scorer. They also return a trio of talented sophomores: Kurt De Luna, Carlos Sanchez and Kevin Early, who averaged 8, 7 and 7 points per game last year, respectively.
Bayfront Charter
Last year’s sixth-seeded Sharks, the reigning Apollo League champions, return their entire team, including 6-4 junior Elijah Albrektsen, 6-0 senior Daniel Palacios and 6-0 senior Jesus Marquez.