CIF San Diego Section Division 3 Preview
We’re starting to move into the more competitive divisions in San Diego, starting with our preview of Division 3.
Last year, Sage Creek, in its third varsity season, defeated Mt Miguel to win the program’s first CIF basketball championship.
The Bobcats have moved on to Division 2, but the Matadors remain and are in a solid position to contend for another finals appearance.
But the field is both deep and diverse.
Prep Hoops gives you a glimpse at some of the top teams in Division 3:
THE FAVORITE
Hoover
The Cardinals slipped out of Division 2 after CIF forced them to forfeit all but two wins last year due to an ineligible player. Now, the Central League favorite looks the part of the top team in Division 3. Leading scorers Chris Modica and James Malveaux return, as does every major contributor from last year’s team. Modica is a thick-bodied point guard who can score it from all three levels. Malveaux, at 6-6 250, is an imposing force in the middle who can shoot it from deep. 6-2 G Jalnn Harrington and 6-2 W Andrew Peters are big-time sleepers. Malachi Pinkston and Jalen Jeanty are important role players.
THE CONTENDERS
Carlsbad
Coach Sam Eshelman joined the Lancers program following a 9-45 stretch. In short order, he has turned them into a legitimate title contender. Senior forward Isaiah Ramos is a two-sport star, and the program’s 2019 class has come a long way. That group includes 6-5 W Carter Plousha, 6-5 F Brogan Pietrocini, 6-5 PF Gavin Schmidt, and 6-1 spark plug Julian Tursini, who recently moved back to Carlsbad from Arizona. Eshelman will need 6-0 junior Blake Adams to take the next step to give the Lancers the point guard they need to get over the hump.
Olympian
A year after making it to the Division 4 championship game, the Eagles move into Division 3 with many of its key pieces in tact. The team revolves around 6-3 F Isaiah Williams, an undersized yet athletic forward who feasts on the glass. His diminutive running mate, 5-6 PG Gio Martinez, is a lightning quick, and unselfish floor general who Ellis will ask to shoulder more of the scoring load. The roster is littered with solid role players, including 6-1 sharpshooter Sean Fernandez, senior guard Mike Temple and workhorse Angelo Cosalan. Junior transfer Christian Buenviaje will help the Eagles when he joins the team in January.
Mount Miguel
The Division 3 runners up graduate program standard bearer Darian Norwood, but return some intriguing pieces. 6-4 Marquise Edwards will be a household name by season’s end. He is a bouncy wing type who can score it off the dribble and off the glass. 5-9 point guard James Allen is a speedy floor general who can shoot it from deep. Mikeece Dunbar hit big threes during the Matadors run through Division 3. Otay Ranch transfer Daron Traylor is a long, athletic guard who will play a big role on defense. Coach Jay Rowlett is high on the massive 6-6 Craig Jackson, playing his first basketball season after standing out on the gridiron.
THE NOISE MAKERS
San Dieguito Academy
It has been several years since the Mustangs were relevant in hoops, but this year could change that, thanks to a talented junior core. Guard Connor Miller, Yarin Arbib and Ron Arbib complement each other perfectly, as do forwards Travis Snider and Baylor Brimmer. The program has had some off-season defections, so it will need some of its reserves to step up to spell the starters.
University City
The Centurions are one of the more intriguing teams in the field, largely due to their good size. The group returns five players taller than 6-4, including talented junior wing Clay Ali Brooks and junior grid-hooper Casey Granfors. Senior guard Justin Anderson is a steadying influence and uncanny scorer. Ben Bruce, a 5-10 junior guard, essentially replaces his brother, Alex, in the back court.
Bonita Vista
Coach Don Dumas’ crew is undersized, but the Barons have one of the best individual talents in the Division in 6-2 senior guard Anthony Mendoza. Mendoza is a crafty scoring guard who is good for 20 a night. 5-7 point guard Jordan McDaniel is due for the breakout season that has eluded him since he was a highly touted freshman. Speaking of freshmen, twin brothers Damajae and Damascus Sanders could play big minutes for the Barons right away.
San Ysidro
Head Coach Terry Tucker has one of his youngest teams in a while, featuring four sophomores and a freshman. But his senior, 6-3 Malik Campbell, is rounding into a late-bloomer college guard prospect. 6-2 Kailen Rains, a sophomore, is a smooth shooter who is still growing, 6-0 Philix Kilbourne is a dependable lefty point guard, and 6-3 Rahim Nowlin is a nice freshman prospect. Alton DuBois has been one of the revelations of the ball, becoming a potent scorer to complement Rains and Campbell.
Mt. Carmel
The Sundevils bring back a lot of senior leadership, starting with 5-10 guard Nate Middleton, arguably one of the section’s top shooters. Middleton and senior guards Kelly Sutton and Nickoli Melovidov have had moments of brilliance during their varsity careers. Consistency will be key. Not having senior forward Andrew Mataafa hurts, but the Sundevils do have some size in 6-4 Gage Douglass and 6-3 forward Nick Arvin. Sophomores Joe Fatahi and Blake Dean are the future.
THE DARK HORSES
Madison – The Warhawks buy into Coach Randy Stutz’s physical brand of basketball and have some underrated pieces. 6-0 junior guard Donovan Baasch is a lights-out shooter, and his back court mate Keyshawn Bradley is athletic, long and crafty.
Rancho Buena Vista – Coach Aaron Abrams enters year two of his tenure with a young team that will take its lumps in the Avocado East League, but could be a sleeper in the bracket, given the right matchup. Junior point guard Jason Danso is tough on defense, while sophomores Noah Fields and Jack Bailey are solid building blocks.
Top Prospects
Seniors:
Chris Modica, 2018 PG, Hoover- Big-bodied point guard can score off the dribble, and knock down the mid-range pull-up.
Nate Middleton 2018 PG, Mt. Carmel – Smooth shooting 5-10 point guard has gotten stronger and quicker on both ends.
Anthony Mendoza, 2018 G, Bonita Vista- Tall, long and crafty scoring guard will be focus of Barons offense.
James Allen, 5-8 PG, Mount Miguel- Speedy point guard can knock down shots from three and wreak havoc on defense.
Jalnn Harrington, 2018 G, Hoover- 6-2 athletic combo guard is one of the section’s more underrated two-way players.
Malik Campbell, 2018 G, San Ysidro – Big lead guard has solid feel and has improved his decision making.
James Malveaux, 2018 PF, Hoover- Mammoth forward is nimble footed and can score in the paint on the perimeter.
Juniors:
Carter Plousha, 2019 G, Carlsbad – Wiry, long combo guard is one of the region’s top on-ball defenders.
Brogan Pietrocini, 2019 PF, Carlsbad – Cerebral, big-bodied four man rebounds, passes and shoots it for the Lancers.
Clay Ali Brooks, 2019 WF, University City – Athletic wing can shoot it from three and off the dribble.
Marquise Edwards, 2019 F, Mount Miguel – Long, athletic forward fills the role vacated by Darian Norwood.
Sean Fernandez, 2019 G Olympian – One of the most underrated shooters in the section.
Connor Miller, 2019 PG, San Dieguito Academy- Heady floor general sets the table for teammates and can shoot it off the catch.
Travis Snider, 2019 PF, San Dieguito Academy – Lanky face-up four can score in the paint and from mid-range.
Baylor Brimmer, 2019 PF, San Dieguito Academy- Athletic rebounder and face-up four is a solid complement to Snider.