CIF San Diego Section Division 2 Preview
San Diego’s Division 2 was historically the section’s strongest division before competitive balance. Since CIF made the shift, the section’s top teams have largely migrated to Division 1, but D2 has remained extremely competitive.
Take for instance last year’s championship, a nail-biting Helix win over Orange Glen, that featured one high-major prospect and a player who signed to one of the state’s top Division 2 programs. The year before, Harvard signee Reed Farley sparred against a La Jolla Country Day team that featured then-freshmen Ryan Langborg and Max Guinn, who both have Division 1 offers.
This year will be no different.
Six of the division’s top teams are ranked in my preseason Top 20, and the teams below them are all capable of playoff upsets given the right matchup.
Here’s your CIF Division 2 Preview:
THE CONTENDERS
Bishop’s
Both Bishop’s and Francis Parker were Coastal League cellar dwellers last year, and much like their league foe, is slated to rise into the league’s upper crust. The team doesn’t boast any transfers; the young core has simply taken the next step forward. 6-6 junior forward Christian Rose is a long, wiry and bouncy four man who is one of the section’s most versatile defenders. Paired with the hyper athletic 6-8 sophomore Nakial Cross, and Bishop’s boasts one of the most formidable front court duos in Southern California. The supporting cast around the pair is underrated. Junior point guard Marek Thomson is solid, sophomore guard Zach White is much improved and seniors Conrad Tempel and Collin Douglas are knockdown shooters. When Bishop’s and Parker meet for the second time on Jan. 31, they won’t be battling for last place in league.
Christian
The Patriots looked to make a splash in both boys and girls hoops this year. On the girls side, they hired Vickie Carrington, from now-defunct Horizon. On the boys side, they hired Davion Famber, one year removed from a CIF title with Mission Vista. Shortly thereafter, an infusion of talent arrived on the El Cajon campus by way of transfer. Christian West, a bouncy 6-5 forward, transferred from Mira Mesa; and Jordan Gaines, the leading scorer from O’Farrell, made their way to the campus, as did Famber’s son, junior sharpshooter Isaiah Robinson. They join an already talented core of returners, including 5-11 senior point guard Nashom Carter, 5-5 blur Dominic Safarta and 6-6 junior forward Jackson Larsen.
Francis Parker
The Lancers outlook brightened significantly this offseason when two of La Jolla Country Day’s top players – Max Guinn and Matt Bender – checked into school. Guinn, a 6-5 wing forward, is one of the top shooters in the section, while the 6-8 Bender can score in the paint and from the mid-range. The duo will sit until January 1, but will then pair with 6-4 junior wing Jacob Jovien to give the Lancers one of the section’s top front courts. Guard play will decide how far the Lancers will go. Last year’s team, one of the worst in Parker’s history, received surprise contributions from 5-5 freshman Miles Williams. Now a sophomore, the now 5-8 Williams will need to continue to improve for Parker to get the most from it’s new-look roster.
Montgomery
There’s been a lot of buzz out of the South Bay about this Aztecs team, which makes up for being undersized by playing fast, shooting from deep and pressuring the basketball. They return six of their top seven scorers from last year’s Division 3 semifinals team. Senior guard Timmy Crawford is one of the top senior point guards in the region. 5-5 scoring guard Kyle Paranada can fill it up in a hurry, and forwards Zetiam Burton, Sebastian Morgan and Rahin Williams are versatile and athletic. The question will be which one of the reserves beyond senior guard Anthony Hall will step up and play good minutes for Ed Martin’s crew. If at least one other reserve can do that, this Aztecs team could make its way to Jenny Craig Pavilion.
Morse
Coach Carl Fisher appears to have the Tigers back on track after last year’s 11-15 nadir. The team doesn’t have any household names, but is full of improved prospects who play hard, defend and compete on both ends. 6-6 senior wing Akil Parrish could be the section’s most improved player, and his 6-3 senior teammate Will Bailey is not far behind. 6-4 junior F Elijah Seales is a chiseled athlete who neutralizes opposing posts with strong position defense and rebounding. Fisher, however, feels the team rises and falls with the play of its talented, albeit undersized back court. 5-9 junior Rasheed Edwards, a transfer from University City, is a volume shooter and a speedy slasher. Senior point guard Juwan Mitchell has had off-court issues, but when he is engaged he’s as tough as they come on both ends. Morse is the co-favorite in the Eastern League with Christian.
Westview
Westview defied many prediction’s last year to make it to the Division 2 semifinals and finish with a solid 17-13 record. Leading scorer Ben Okhotin has graduated, but the team returns a strong high-school core. Senior guard Kobe Gatti is as steady a high-school point guard as you’ll find in San Diego, but it’s the program’s junior quartet that makes the Wolverines a threat. 6-4 shooting guard Ricardo Hopping is a threat to score from three levels, 6-5 wing Adam Chang is a bouncy athlete and good on-ball defender, and 6-4 forwards Jackson Krogman and Michael Grendahl are tough and skilled. A rival Palomar League coach told me that Westview might challenge Poway for the league title. That says it all.
THE SLEEPERS
Serra
The Q’s graduate a ton, but bring back athleticism, speed and defense to spare. Senior guard Ryan Flowers is a top-5 on-ball defender in the section, his twin brother, Robert, has an insane motor, and senior guard Rae Wright is big-bodied and physical. 5-11 sophomore point guard Alex Bell and 6-4 sophomore Tre Dickerson round out the likely starters. If Serra can get consistent shooting, they’ll be a handful.
Oceanside
Oceanside brings back four of last year’s key contributors, including All-League forward Emmanual Grandison, 6-6 behemoth Donovan Laie (Arizona football commit), 6-0 shooter Jacob Camargo and 6-4 forward Dru Morgan – all seniors. Point guard play has eluded the Pirates. Phillip Johnson will get first crack, but sophomore Joseph Phillips is waiting in the wings.
Steele Canyon
You can never count out a team that has as talented of a back court as the Cougars. Senior point guard Gage Sanders is one of the top guards in Southern California you’ve never heard of, and his fellow senior guard Thomas Fishburne (a football standout) is also tough as nails. Darrin Spence had solid moments as a junior, and he and fellow senior Amir Harris will be asked to play a bigger role this year. Gage’s brother, sophomore Kobe Sanders, has a chance to be a very good prospect.
Eastlake
Marlon King has a solid roster, but much will depend on when football season ends and which baseball players commit to hoops. If both roll his way favorably, the Titans have some nice pieces, including 6-2 forward Josh McCurty (football), 6-2 forward Brian Leonhardt (baseball, SDSU signee) and 6-6 center Grant Holman (baseball). Senior Jarret Isaacson, junior Mark Guerrero and several other guards comprise the Titans back court.
Otay Ranch
Howard Suda’s team is led by 6-2 sharpshooter Chris Stanek, an all-league performer last year. But the Mustangs return four of their top 8 scorers from last year’s 19-12 team, including Matt Closas, Tariq Deadmon and Allen Murillo. 6-5 sophomore C Calvin Taylor will be in the mix as well.
Point Loma
No team’s outlook changed more than Point Loma’s due to transfers. The Pointers had the returning talent to potentially be a D2 favorite and a Top 15 crew. But its talented freshman back court of Yassine Gharram and Dakarai Allen bolted for Foothills Christian and Sage Creek, respectively. The Pointers return one of the more imposing front courts in the section, including 6-6 senior wing Kyle Johnson, 6-7 center Carlos Amarrillaz, and 6-6 sophomore center Tyler Morris. The key question is who will set the table for them? Freshmen Trent Bell and Gabe Harrison will get chances, as will sophomore point guard Jakob Tonnaer-DiCarlo.
Top Prospects
Top Seniors
Nashom Carter, 2018 PG, Christian – Strong, quick and decisive point guard has great feel, and can score it from multiple levels.
Akil Parrish, 2018 WF, Morse – The 6-6 wing has a willowy frame, improved athleticism and solid ball skills.
Kyle Johnson, 2018 6-6 WF, Point Loma – Athletic wing type has improved his shooting touch to complement his slashing and work on the boards.
Ryan Flowers, 2018 G, Serra – One of the best athletes in the section, the 6-2 Flowers is a potent slasher and a lockdown defender.
Gage Sanders, 2018 PG, Steele Canyon – Smooth shooting 6-1 point guard has improved his scoring at the rim through contact.
Timmy Crawford, 2018 PG, Montgomery – Compact point guard isn’t a burner, but is a crafty scorer from all three levels.
Other seniors:
Myles Manning, 2018 G, Coronado- Physical scoring guard shoots it and likes to slash to the basket.
Chris Stanek, 2018 G, Otay Ranch – Sturdy scoring guard is a solid shooter and can score it off of one-to-two dribbles.
Dru Morgan, 2018 F, Oceanside – Jack-of-all-trades wing can shoot it from midrange and score it a bit off the dribble. A worker.
Jacob Camargo, 2018 G, Oceanside- Sharpshooting combo guard is starting to develop a mid-range game.
Emmanuel Grandison, 2018 F, Oceanside – One of the top rebounders in the section, Grandison possesses a tremendous motor.
Xavier Smith, 2018 F, Granite Hills – Long, athletic and crafty wing is a solid defender and rebounder.
Moses Smith, 2018 F, Granite Hills – Not quite as talented as his twin brother, but he possesses many of the similar traits.
Kobe Gatti, 2018 PG, Westview – Tough as nails, Gatti can shoot, facilitate and defend.
Michael Phaneuf, 2018 F, Scripps Ranch- Smooth shooting forward is garnering Division 3 interest.
Ramzi Sultan, 2018 F, Valhalla – Skilled face-up four man can shoot and score off the bounce.
TOP JUNIORS
Max Guinn, 2019 WF, Parker – Skilled shooter has added dose of athleticism to his game. Offers from Hawaii, Northern Arizona.
Matt Bender, 2019 PF, Parker – Big bodied face-up four is a man on the boards, and can step out and hit the midrange j.
Christian Rose, 2019 PF, Bishop’s – Spider-like length, the 6-6 forward is an improved offensive player and a lockdown defender.
Elijah Seales, 2019 PF, Morse – A beast, albeit undersized at 6-4, Seales is a tremendous rebounder and defender.
Kyle Paranada, 2019 PG, Montgomery- The diminutive guard can shoot and score it from all three levels without fear.
Noah Tumblin, 2019 PG, Mira Mesa- Intriguing 6-1 lefty point guard is a smooth scorer and distributor. D1 football prospect.
Jacob Jovien, 2019 WF, Parker- 6-4 Utility wing can shoot it from midrange and attack off the dribble.
Ricardo Hopping, 2019 WF, Westview- 6-4 forward is a strong shooter and improving as a mid-range scoring threat.
Jackson Larsen, 2019 WF, Christian – Bouncy, prototypical length on the wing and a nice looking shot. Consistency will be key for Larsen.
Other juniors
Jett Wilson, 2019 PG, Mira Mesa – Crafty scoring point guard has excellent feel, can take over a game.
Adam Chang, 2019 F, Westview – National volleyball prospect can defend and score off the dribble.
Caden Gentry, 2019 SG, Coronado – Sweet shooting guard has started since his freshman year.
Jordan Gaines, 2019 PG, Christian- Crafty volume scoring guard was O’Farrell’s leading scorer last season.
Dominic Safarta, 2019 PG, Christian – Slick handling point guard is a highlight waiting to happen.
Zetiam Burton, 2019 WF, Montgomery – Athletic shooter and scorer would be a guard in any other system.
Sebastian Morgan, 2019 WF, Montgomery – Big time shooter off the catch, will be asked to patrol interior on defense for Aztecs.
Nick Sonck, 2019 PF, Sage Creek – Strong, physical post prospect can hit the midrange shot.
Top Sophomores
Nakial Cross, 2020 PF, Bishop’s – One of the best athletes in the region, the 6-7 forward’s ball skills have made dramatic leap.
Alex Bell, 2020 PG, Serra – Hyper quick point guard can shoot it off the catch. Has to play more under control.
Trey Dickerson, 2020 WF, Serra – Long, athletic 6-4 prospect looks the part, and does a bit of everything.
Xavier Otis, 2020 F, Morse- 6-4 Victory Christian transfer has embraced his undersized post role, can score and board with the best.
Dakarai Allen, 2020 PG, Sage Creek – Strong build, improved vision and solid scoring instincts are the traits of this top guard prospect.
Jailen Nelson, 2020 PG, Sage Creek – Slick, crafty scorer and passer is one of the section’s top sophomore prospects.