CIF Open Division Championship: Ten Best

<p>St. Augustine completed a wire-to-wire run through San Diego competition, going undefeated against San Diego teams en route to a 85-53 Open Division victory over No. 3 seed Montgomery, a game that was over by the first quarter. </p>   <p>The Saints have dominated SD competition this year as a collective: it's top 6 players have incredible balance and play a fast, yet controlled brand of ball that is both entertaining and impactful. As the season has progressed, they've been able to add a 7th player into the rotation in 6-1 freshman guard Jaden Bailes, who looks to be one of the region's brightest stars come next season. </p>   <p>Here's a breakdown of the 10 best performers in the championship game. </p>   <h2>Lolo Rudolph, 6-2 2024 PG, St. Augustine</h2>   <p>Rudolph put together a masterful performance in the title game, a near triple double (17 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds) in which he used his speed, body control and court vision to dissect the Aztecs defense. Continuing a theme that has developed all season, Rudolph shot the ball confidently from three, a development that should allow his recruitment to take off this spring and summer. </p>   <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='992479' first='Jurian' last='Dixon'], 6-5 2023 G, St. Augustine </h2>   <p>Dixon scored a team-high 18 points and was the catalyst of the first-quarter run that effectively put the game away, capped off by a transition dunk that caused the crowd to erupt. The 6-5 unsigned guard has a penchant for the big play that gives his team momentum and tailwind, doing it all season and in big moments during the playoffs. </p>   <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='994949' first='Jaden' last='Matingou'], 6-3 2023 G, St. Augustine</h2>   <p>Matingou's defense on Montgomery's sophomore point guard [player_tooltip player_id='1630675' first='Alek' last='Sanchez'] was critical to the Saints dismantling of Montgomery. Matingou has elite defensive instincts to go along with elite length, athleticism and tenacity on that end. Offensively, he knocked down a three and scored on the offensive glass and had a big transition dunk in the fourth to add an exclamation point to the blowout. </p>   <h2>Vincent Ricchiuti, 6-5 2023 W, St. Augustine</h2>   <p>The big difference between this season and last season for the 6-5 shooter is confidence in big moments. There were a couple of times where Montgomery seemed to find footing and go on a little run and Ricchiuti would hit a timely three to shut down the momentum. He's headed to Wake Forest as a preferred walk-on. </p>   <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='994915' first='Derrius' last='Carter-Hollinger'], 6-6 2023 F, St. Augustine</h2>   <p>Carter Hollinger continued his torrid play through the playoffs by providing excellent interior defense and rebounding and scoring around the basket. He's improved his handle and finishing around the basket off the bounce to complement his scoring on the offensive glass. Like his teammates, he's also an above-the-rim threat in transition and finishes with authority. </p>   <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='1502799' first='Ian' last='De La Rosa'], 6-4 2024 W, St. Augustine</h2>   <p>De La Rosa's defense, timely bucket getting and intangibles are the literal glue on the Saints team. A versatile defender who can check 1-5 at the high school level, he did as good of a job as anyone has making [player_tooltip player_id='1630657' first='JJ' last='Sanchez'] work for position and baskets. Offensively, while not the shooter he was a year ago, he still hits timely shots and can attack closeouts and finish with his dominant hand. </p>   <h2>Jaden Bailes, 6-1 2026 G, St. Augustine</h2>   <p>Bailes has played solid minutes during the Saints playoff run, culminating with a 10-point effort in the blowout. His improvement shooting the ball has opened up the floor for him, as now teams have to honor his shot which sets up his drives to the basket, where he can finish through contact. He's also got impressive defensive instincts and length. Don't be surprised when Bailes is one of San Diego's breakout stars next year. </p>   <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='1630674' first='Xair' last='Mendez'], 6-2 2025 G, Montgomery</h2>   <p>Mendez was relentless offensively as he tried to keep the Aztecs in the game with his three-level scoring. An underrated spot-up shooter, Mendez hit several threes, as well as finished drives with his right hand and hit a pair of midrange pull-ups. While his decision making and vision need work, Mendez is arguably one of the region's most gifted scorers. </p>   <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='1630657' first='JJ' last='Sanchez'], 6-5 2025 F, Montgomery</h2>   <p>Sanchez continued to show why he's on pace for an All CIF First Team selection. He's a walking mismatch on offense: He can back down smaller defenders and get to his scoring spots in the post, where he's also a deft passer out of double teams; or, he can knock down open threes off the catch or with the live dribble. While his release needs to get a touch faster, when he's open, he's one of the top shooters in the county, regardless of position. He's confounding as a prospect, and while a lot of where he ends up depends on how much more he grows, it's clear that he's one of the most skilled players in the county - and beyond. </p>   <h2>David Soto, 6-2 2024 W, Montgomery</h2>   <p>Soto had a strong performance to cap his junior year, scoring it from three levels and providing energy and tenacity off the bench. The Aztecs sixth man is probably a starter for 90 percent of San Diego programs, and did a solid job rebounding and providing physicality and versatility on the perimeter and in the post. </p>

St. Augustine completed a wire-to-wire run through San Diego competition, going undefeated against San Diego teams en route to a 85-53 Open Division victory over No. 3 seed Montgomery, a game that was over by the first quarter.