Best CIF-SS Championship Game Performances
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Championship Saturday concluded what has been an exciting CIF Southern Section playoffs yesterday with marquee matchups including Lynwood taking on Bosco Tech in Division 5AA, Etiwanda facing off with Mater Dei in Division 1, and a matchup of nationally ranked…
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Continue ReadingChampionship Saturday concluded what has been an exciting CIF Southern Section playoffs yesterday with marquee matchups including Lynwood taking on Bosco Tech in Division 5AA, Etiwanda facing off with Mater Dei in Division 1, and a matchup of nationally ranked teams between Corona Centennial and St. John Bosco in Open Division.
Jaden Erami
Jaden Erami
Jaden Erami was instrumental in Bosco Tech’s win over Lynwood on Saturday finishing with 30 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks. Erami was all over the court in this one and was able to provide a spark whenever his team needed one with offensive rebounds, steals, blocks, or deflections. Jaden combines great skill with relentless determination on either end of the court and is a player any coach would love to have.
Jason Crowe Jr.
Jason Crowe Jr.
Jason Crowe Jr. had 35 points and 5 assists on Saturday in a tough loss to Bosco tech. Crowe Jr. gets wherever he wants to go on the court using his length and tight handling ability, but could benefit from improved shot selection as he took 31 shots to score 35 points. As Jason gets older and gains physical strength he will be an even tougher cover than he is now and projects to be a highly sought after prospect. Crowe Jr. set the freshman scoring record in California this year and was averaging 36 points and 5 assists headed into this game.
Zack Davidson Zack Davidson 6’8″ | PF Mater Dei | 2023 State CA-S had 27 points and 11 rebounds in a win against Etiwanda on Saturday to capture the Division 1 title. Davidson was ultra efficient in this one going 8/12 from the field and managed to get the line 13 times (11/13). Zack, as ever, provided an ultra-steady playmaking presence at the top of key for Mater Dei and showed why he is one of the most skilled big men in Southern California.
Curtis Williams Curtis Williams 6’6″ | SF Etiwanda | 2023 State #159 Nation CA-S had 17 points and 7 rebounds for Etiwanda on Saturday in a tough loss to Mater Dei. Williams was dialed-in from 3pt range in this one going 4/7 and showed why he is such a difficult threat to deal with. Curtis combines guard skills with great length and projects to make an impact on both ends at the next level.
Jimmy Baker Jimmy Baker 6’2″ | PG Etiwanda | 2023 State CA-S had 16 points for Etiwanda in a tough loss to Mater Dei on Saturday. Baker was able to score going both directions and finish with either hand in this one making defenders unable to confidently shepherd him one way or other. Jimmy is also a willing 3-point shooter but a slightly improved stroke would do him a lot of good to force defenders to play up.
Jared McCain Jared McCain 6’3″ | PG Centennial | 2023 State #24 Nation CA-S had 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals on Saturday night as Corona Centennial beat St. John Bosco for the Open Division title. McCain was a force on both ends in this one by relentlessly attacking the basket on offense and playing the passing lanes constantly on defense. Jared’s separation from his peers really shows itself when he takes one long step, bumps a defender off of him, and still seemingly finishes easily with either hand.
Mike Price Mike Price 6’2″ | PG Corona Centennial | 2023 State #162 Nation CA-S contributed 3 points, 2 assists, and 2 steals on Saturday night as Corona Centennial beat St. John Bosco for the Open Division title. Price made enormous contributions for his team tonight that weren’t in the stat sheet. Mike was so tenacious on defense that he neutralized/frustrated Bosco’s primary ball handler to the point that he ended up crucially fouling out midway through the 4th quarter. Price is the kind of defender any coach would love to have to throw at the other teams point guard.
Kade Bonam Kade Bonam 6’6″ | PF St. John Bosco | 2025 State #110 Nation CA-S had 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 3PM, and a steal on Saturday night as Corona Centennial beat St. John Bosco for the Open Division title. Bonam shows flashes of his true potential enough throughout games to allow you to see what a special player he can become — he has a feel and understanding for the game beyond his years, and the skills to go along with it. Kade is a legitimate 3 point threat, always a factor on the glass, and has lovely vision/passing ability for a young forward.
Elzie Harrington Elzie Harrington 6’5″ | PG St. John Bosco | 2025 State #25 Nation CA-S had 15 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and steal on Saturday night as Corona Centennial beat St. John Bosco for the Open Division title. Harrington had a gritty performance against 3 tough mid-major to high-major guards for Centennial and acquitted himself well, showing off why so many are so excited about the sophomore point guard. Elzie has a great ability to get in front of defenders and then use his length to shield them off and finish on either side of the basket. Harrington is also very athletic and able to blow by a defender to finish above the rim.
Eric Freeny Eric Freeny 6’5″ | SG Corona Centennial | 2024 State #73 Nation CA-S excelled with 18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 3PM, 3 assists, and 2 steals on Saturday night as Corona Centennial beat St. John Bosco for the Open Division title. Freeny was a thorn in Bosco’s side all game — he hurt Bosco several times with corner three’s, drop passes to teammates for lay-ups, and numerous mid-range jump shots. The junior projects to be a great role player at the next level as he can help his team in so many different ways.
Aaron McBride Aaron McBride 6’7″ | PF Corona Centennial | 2023 State CA-S had 18 points (9/11 FG), 11 rebounds, 2 assists, and the all important steal as Corona Centennial beat St. John Bosco for the Open Division title. McBride had an answer for everyone Bosco threw at him tonight as he scored in a variety of different ways to show off all the different ways he’s going to contribute for LMU next season. Aaron also showed off his leaping ability on an unforgettable dunk to win the game for Centennial and take them to the state championships.
Brandon Mccoy Jr
Brandon Mccoy Jr
Brandon McCoy Jr. had 6 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals off the bench on Saturday night as Corona Centennial beat St. John Bosco for the Open Division title. McCoy Jr. is an incredibly impressive freshman who plays major minutes off the bench for Bosco — he always seems to provide a spark with energy and hustle plays and fearlessly defends the other teams best player. McCoy Jr. held his own on defense against Mcdonald’s All American Jared McCain Jared McCain 6’3″ | PG Centennial | 2023 State #24 Nation CA-S and projects to develop into a highly sought after prospect.