CIF Southern Section Division Preview: 5AAA
The new CIF Southern Section competitive equity format has shaken up the playoff divisions for the 2017-18 season and beyond.
Let’s take a deeper dive into exactly what competitive equity means.
The division placement for each team is based upon a two-year weighted power point total, as described by the CIF-SS website, which take into account strength of a team’s regular season schedule results (33 percent) and playoff performance results (67 percent).
In addition, regular season contests are weighted based on strength of opponents. For example, a victory over a team in Division 1 is given more “points” than a win over a team in Divisions 2, 3, 4, and 5 and the same goes for playoff performance results.
The past CIF division placements have revolved mostly around number of enrollment, and while the number of students at a specific school is no longer a determining factor, the division breakdowns, especially toward the lower end, still have many of the smaller schools in those lower divisions.
This brings us to our first CIF-SS Division breakdown in 5AAA.
Division 5AAA Contenders
Santa Clarita Christian
The Cardinals benefit greatly from the beloved So-Cal transfer scene with the additions of two brotherly duos in Jordan and Caden Starr and T.J. and Kaleb Lowery. Jordan, a 6-foot-5 senior, is a crafty point guard with impressive vision and good size for the position, while Caden, a sophomore, is a little more scoring-oriented at 6-feet-5. The Starr brothers will be eligible immediately as they proved a valid change of address. The Lowery’s will also be eligible immediately, relocating from the San Diego area. Sophomore guard Ty Penberthy is another solid addition via transfer for the Cardinals, but he’ll have to abide by the transfer sit out period and will be eligible January 1, 2018.
Pacifica Christian Orange County
The Tritons made a ton of noise in their first season of varsity competition, led by super freshman (now sophomore) point guard Dominick Harris. Harris, who averaged 25.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game, paced Pacifica Christian to a 24-5 overall record and an appearance in the CIF-SS Division 6 championship game. The Tritons could be the odds-on favorites to win Division 5AAA, but the with the eligibility of transfers Solomon Davis and Judah Brown under review for undue influence, the Tritons may have a harder time reaching the top. Even without the additions, though, coach Jeff Berokoff has plenty of seasoned returners at his disposal in Timmy Bahadoor, Josh Griffith, Josh Sims and Primo Belfiore.
Providence/Burbank
Coach Michael Westphal returns his top four scorers in David Grigoryan (13.7 ppg), A.J. Bautista (10 ppg), Bryce Whitaker (9.3 ppg) and Kirk Helling (7.6 ppg) from a team that went 19-9 and reached the Division 5AA quarterfinals last season.
Pacific Hills
The Los Angeles-based Bruins have to key returning pieces from a team that advanced to the Division 5AA quarterfinals last season. Six-foot-5 junior forward Ka’Veon Batiste averaged a near double-double as a sophomore, scoring 14 points while pulling down 9.3 rebounds per game. Five-foot-10 junior point guard Kevin Bethel out up 9.2 points and 6.5 assists per game last season and had an impressive camp circuit over the spring, summer and fall.
Fairmont Prep
The Huskies were handed an early playoff exit last season by Pacific Hills, but coach Joedy Gardener had a young team with little experience at the time. With another year under its belt, and the addition of talented 6-foot-8 freshman forward Pape Cisse, 6-foot-10 junior center Mawutor Nogoson and 6-foot-2 guard Kofi Aboagye, the Huskies have the potential to make some noise in the postseason.
Orange Vista
The Coyotes are heading into their second season of CIF-SS competition and first as a postseason eligible school. Orange Vista went 14-1 last season in its inaugural campaign and featured all underclassmen who return this season. The Coyotes are led by 6-foot sophomore guard Armon Muldrew and 6-foot junior Isiah Shirley, who averaged 21.6 and 15 points last year, respectively for coach El Davis.
Others to Watch
Santa Maria — return top two scorers — Joey Nevarez (17.1 ppg) and Blake Truhitte (15.2 ppg) from a team that went 17-12 last season.
Faith Baptist — return top two scorers — sophomore Ben Todd (18.3 points, 11.2 rebounds per game) and Chris Sandhal (9.2 ppg).