Southern Section CIF Playoffs First Round Matchup

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last night the Mission Viejo Diablos had a dominant 29-point win against Western Pioneers in the First Round of the CIF Playoffs. It was a lopsided game from the start due to the firepower on the Diablos roster that you'll get to learn about here.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='994969' first='Isaiah' last='Tolmaire']</strong> – PG – 5'10” – 2023 Mission Viejo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I think reading off his stat line from last night's game will explain almost everything you need to know about his play. He had 12 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 8 steals. He does all his damage in the mid-range, the paint, and on the defensive end. You don't get that many steals without playing stellar full-court defense and playing the passing lanes very well. He is a bit undersized, but he has every tool to be a solid true point guard at the next level if given a chance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Treyvon Tolmaire</strong> – PG/SF – 6'0” – 2024 Mission Viejo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Just like his older brother he does his work finishing at the rim and on the defensive end. He had a very similar stat line with 11 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 steals. A star on the football field is just as good on the basketball court. He has the ability to score at will as such a strong guard. What makes him unique is that with his size he is able to guard all guards and forwards. But my favorite part of his game is his quick first step where he is able to blow by anyone at will on the perimeter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nico Owens</strong> – PF/SF – 6'4” – 2024 Mission Viejo</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The anchor of the Diablos defense doesn't always get the credit he deserves and it's not always in the box score either. But when you really know the game of basketball, this forward is just the guy you want on your team. He does whatever the team needs him to do to win. Spot-up shooting, quality takes to the rim, lockdown defense, he does it all. He is the most athletic player on the court almost every game, watching him sky for big blocks and rebounds and shutting down the team's best wing each and every night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alessandro Burns</strong> – C – 6'5” – 2023 Western</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This was the second time I have seen him play and what a different side I was able to see. He is a dominant lefty big man that adds a lot of value to a roster. The best part of his game is that you have to guard his money mid-range game and sweet post-play on the inside. When in the post he likes to make quick moves which is a welcome sight for a big man that has good decision-making. He is also an excellent rebounder on both sides of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->