CIF-SS Playoffs: D1 Semifinal Capsules

Devin Ugland February 17, 2023 @ 03:05 PM

Friday night marks some of the biggest games of the year as the CIF Southern Section Divisional Playoffs have reached the semifinal round. There are two intriguing matchups in the Division 1 postseason bracket and we break both of them down in this piece.   <h4>Mater Dei (25-6) vs. Mira Costa (27-2)</h4>   This is the first season since the inception of the Open Division bracket that Mater Dei has participated in a division that wasn't the open and, as expected, the bump down to Division 1 has resulted in a step closer to a chance at another CIF Southern Section title for the storied program.   The Monarchs will meet what you can kind of describe as their South Bay match in Mira Costa. Both programs are well-coached, run great offensive and defensive schemes and have highly talented players. The biggest difference between Mater Dei and Mira Costa is the age of leadership. Zach Davidson, a Montana-signee, is the lone senior who plays major minutes for the Monarchs and he is joined by a collection of juniors, sophomores and freshmen who all fit together to form a cohesive unit.   The key for Mater Dei to advance to the Division 1 final is to establish Davidson early and allow his inside-out scoring presence to open the floor for the rest of his teammates. The more Davidson is able to draw the attention of the defense the easier things will be for his youthful teammates to get into the flow of the game and make an impact in a high-stakes environment.   Mira Costa, on the other hand, is led by senior guards Dylan Black and Will Householter along with senior forward Nick Lundy - a trio of local South Bay kids who have played together all four years at the high school level. The experience and rapport those players have with each other will play a crucial role against a team like Mater Dei but I think the major point of emphasis for Mira Costa will be to make the Monarchs uncomfortable on the offensive end. Their passes and cuts and off-ball movement are all sharp, crisp and drilled, so the Mustangs must do what they can to take Mater Dei out of their comfort zones on the offensive end.   Prediction: Mater Dei advances to the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championship game.   <h4>Etiwanda (24-4) vs. Anaheim Canyon (25-5)</h4>   Etiwanda is another team that we've come to expect to be in the Open Division but it just missed the cut to be in that eight-team field. The Eagles head into the Division 1 semifinals with a veteran-laden team that has been battle tested locally over the last four years. [player_tooltip player_id='994972' first='Curtis' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='996386' first='Jimmy' last='Baker'] and Alton Hamilton are all seniors with multiple years of varsity experience while guards Carrington Pierce and Amare Campbell have really improved and become scoring and decision-making threats on the perimeter. Etiwanda, as we've all come to know and love, is a defensive-oriented team and the Eagles being locked in on that end will be imperative against a Canyon team that is known for ball movement and player movement offensive flow.   To some it might be surprising to see the Comanches make the Division 1 semifinal game due to them losing two starters - [player_tooltip player_id='1502780' first='Jaden' last='Goodall'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1502804' first='Josh' last='Goodall'] - to season ending injuries in December but coach Nate Harrison and his staff have made some minor tweaks and it has worked. Canyon plays through talented sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='1630650' first='Brandon' last='Benjamin'].   The 6-foot-5 four-man is one of the best interior scorers in Southern California but the part of his game that isn't talked about enough is his ability to play a point-forward role. Benjamin can play on the perimeter due to his ball skills, vision and his ability to hit cutters on time and on-target and him initiating the offense makes Canyon tough to guard. The Etiwanda defense will most certainly be focused in on stopping Benjamin and the key to a Canyon victory will be which guy will step up and contribute if he's not able to get it going?   Prediction: Etiwanda advances to the CIF Southern Section Division 1 Championship game.

Friday night marks some of the biggest games of the year as the CIF Southern Section Divisional Playoffs have reached the semifinal round. There are two intriguing matchups in the Division 1 postseason bracket and we break both of them down in this piece.