CIF-SS Playoffs: Intriguing Division 1 Matchups

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Playoff time in boys basketball is here in Southern California and with so many fringe teams not making the final cut for the Open Division, the Division 1 playoff bracket got a huge boost of talented teams and players in its field. I this piece we take a closer look at some of the more intriguing matchups on the schedule this Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Crossroads at Anaheim Canyon</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a game of two league champions going head to head and a couple of head coaches who can really command a sideline. Canyon is without two starters, twin brothers Josh and [player_tooltip player_id='1502780' first='Jaden' last='Goodall'], but have still managed to have a strong season and earned itself a Crestview League title and first round bye in the Division 1 playoffs. The Comanches have a fluid and ball-sharing and player movement type of offense but their go-to guy has become sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='1630650' first='Brandon' last='Benjamin'] who is one of the better interior scorers in all of SoCal. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Benjamin's elite footwork, shot-faking and finishing ability will be put to the test tonight as Crossroads has plenty of long, athletic defenders to put on him. The key for the Comanches in this one could come down to something that's not on the court at all: The crowd. If you've never been to a Canyon home game imagine a loud, booming jam-packed sauna of a gym. It's a tough place to play.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Roadrunners have an extremely talented team that is equipped with size, length and athleticism at every position. The advantage they have heading into this game is the fact that Canyon hasn't seen a team like them - especially defensively - in quite some time. Look for senior Pepperdine-signee [player_tooltip player_id='1161971' first='Nils' last='Cooper'] to be an x-factor due to his two-way versatility and fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='994916' first='Isaiah' last='Chappell'] to be impactful as a low-block defender against Benjamin. If Cooper, [player_tooltip player_id='1448096' first='Zion' last='Watt'], [player_tooltip player_id='1417368' first='EJ' last='Vernon'], Solo Bailey and [player_tooltip player_id='1630642' first='Coco' last='Britt'] are able to get stops and push the ball at Canyon in transition, I could see Crossroads advancing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Los Alamitos at St. Paul</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Los Alamitos head coach Nate Berger should be among the frontrunners for Orange County Coach of the Year with the job he has done with his team this season. The Griffins scored a first round upset of Trinity League member Santa Margarita in the opening round in a public vs. private school game that many thought would send Los Al packing early. The key to the Griffins success this season has been its defense - a zone develop by Berger - that has stifled many opponents throughout the season. Sophomore wing [player_tooltip player_id='1630669' first='Trent' last='Minter'] has had an impressive offensive season and Los Al will need him to be good again against a talented St. Paul team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Swordsmen have a number of gifted offensive players on their roster and though their record might not reflect that - 18-11 overall and 2-6 in Del Rey League play - St. Paul played a tough schedule and is plenty battle-tested coming into the postseason. Transfers [player_tooltip player_id='994974' first='Maurice' last='Wright'], Jr., [player_tooltip player_id='1630648' first='Moses' last='Wright'] and Kamron Fontenot have played major roles in St. Paul's success and point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1630684' first='Osami' last='Maciel'] is the engine that makes the Swordsmen go. The key for St. Paul will be to generate enough turnovers to be able to get out in transition and prevent Los Al from setting up its defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Brentwood at Mira Costa</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When you're discussing well-coached teams Moose Bailey and Neal Perlmutter are two guys that belong firmly in that conversation. Brentwood comes into this one with 24 wins and have done a lot of damage from three-point range to reach that mark. As a team, the Eagles have hit 255 3-pointers, led by junior Jordan Houegban who has hit 148 of those. James Olofson is the senior leader for Brentwood and brings in a double-double average on the year with 15 points and 10 rebounds per game. Mira Costa is a veteran-laden team whose overall size and length on the perimeter could present a problem for Brentwood.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mira Costa won 24 of its first 25 games before falling to Redondo Union on the road to close Bay League action. Senior guards Dylan Black and Will Householter are the guys who pull all the strings for the Mustangs and the duo's rapport not only extends to four years together at Mira Costa but also four years of club ball together with West Coast Elite. The Mustangs as a whole are a tight-knit group that plays together and plays a high IQ brand of basketball. They'll really have to focus in on limiting Brentwood's looks from 3-point range.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":4} --> <h4>Colony at Damien</h4> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one will be a battle of two big men - one hybrid and one traditional - in Colony's [player_tooltip player_id='996387' first='Denzel' last='Hines'] and Damien's [player_tooltip player_id='1630667' first='Nate' last='Garcia']. Hines has become the primary scorer for the Titans and has carried them through some games with multiple 40-point efforts this season. Damien's defense will certainly focus in on stopping the 6-foot-6 senior so Colony will need to have one or more players step up to help Hines carry the offense. Zack Moritz, a crafty jump shooting guard, has been a guy who stepped up in crucial moments and hit big baskets for Colony.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the bigger storylines of the season has been the improvement and emergence of 6-foot-11 sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1630667' first='Nate' last='Garcia'] of Damien. The departure of [player_tooltip player_id='1434419' first='Jimmy' last='Oladokun'] from the Spartans to Sierra Canyon opened the door for big Nate to be a premier guy and he's stepped into the role with confidence and produced in a major way. Garcia is averaging 21 points and 15 rebonds this season and his 270-plus pound frame is difficult for most high school defenses to handle. The rest of Damien's starting five is a mix of athletic, high motor and good shooting guards that are plug and play with Mike LeDuc's system.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->