CIF-SS Finals: Top Role Players

<p>The CIF Southern Section basketball championship match-ups are officially set and there will be ten title games spread across four locations on Saturday: The Pyramid at Long Beach State, Azusa Pacific University, Colony high school and Godinez high school. Below is the full championship slate with times and locations of some division still TBA.</p> <p>Open Division: Sierra Canyon vs. Mater Dei, Friday, 8:30 p.m. at Long Beach State</p> <p>Division 1: Windward vs. Riverside Poly</p> <p>Division 2AA: Santa Clarita Christian vs. St. Francis</p> <p>Division 2A: Ribet Academy vs. Hesperia</p> <p>Division 3AA: Hillcrest vs. Salesian</p> <p>Division 3A: Shadow Hills vs. Price</p> <p>Division 4AA: Renaissance Academy vs. Aquinas</p> <p>Division 5AA: Arrowhead Christian vs. Bishop Diego</p> <p>Division 5A: Banning vs. Trinity Classical Academy</p> <p>While the top players for many of these programs will get plenty of ink and recognition during the course of the week leading up to the championship games, we wanted to take a look at the top role players to watch heading into the title games.</p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Amauri Dukes</strong>, Hesperia</span></p> <p>Dukes is an athletic off-guard who impacts the game in a variety of ways for the Scorpions. The 6-foot-3 junior is a versatile and active defender who can effectively guard 1-3 at the high school level. Offensively, Dukes can knock down the open perimeter jumper with time and space and also does a nice job of slashing his way to the rim for paint buckets.</p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/caden-starr/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/caden-starr/">Caden Starr</a></a></strong>, Santa Clarita Christian</span></p> <p>Starr has a basketball IQ that's off the charts, and when you combine that with ball skills, vision, and unselfishness at 6-feet-7, you get a point forward who is difficult to cover at the high school level. The senior, who is signed with Master's University, is always looking to get teammates involved, delivers timely and accurate passes, and has improved his finishing ability through contact around the basket.</p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Chris Anderson</strong>, Riverside Hillcrest</span></p> <p>Anderson is the perfect accompaniment to star Trojans' star wing Sebastian Mendoza. The 6-foot-2 senior shooting guard doesn't need the ball in his hands long to be effective. His team can count on him to make a handful of 3-pointers per game, but Anderson can also get by defenders with a good first step and either get to a mid-range jumper or score at the cup. He's averaging 10.6 points on 44 percent shooting this season.</p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong>Derek Rubidoux</strong>, Riverside Poly</span></p> <p>Rubidoux is the definition of a glue guy. The 6-foot-2 senior won't necessarily show up in a highlight reel or mixtape, but the things he does are of the utmost importance for the Bears' success. Rubidoux has a high defensive IQ either on or off the ball, he communicates well on that end of the floor and is quick with recognizing his rotations and willing to step over and take a charge. Though his frame doesn't lend to it, Rubidoux is a strong finisher around the basket due to his toughness and willingness to seek out contact.</p> <p class="p1"><span class="s1"><strong><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaren-harris/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/jaren-harris/">Jaren Harris</a></a></strong>, Windward</span></p> <p>With much of the talk, and certainly the game-planning, surrounding Windward will revolve around the Wildcats two impressive sophomores Dylan Andrews and <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kijani-wright/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/kijani-wright/">Kijani Wright</a></a> along with senior <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/devin-tillis/"><a href="https://prephoops.com/player/devin-tillis/">Devin Tillis</a></a>, Harris sometimes gets lost in that shuffle. The 6-foot-1 junior combo guard can really hurt you from the perimeter if left open, especially off of drive-and-kick action or a kick out off of an offensive rebound where he can get into rhythm and can a handful of triples in a hurry.</p>