Central Section Championships: Day 2 Players to Watch

Fresno, CA - Today is the second day off the annual Central Section Boys and Girls Basketball Championships, hosted at Selland Arena in Fresno, CA. Today, Day 2, features games from Divisions 5, 3, and 1 (the headliner game) from both the boys and girls side. This article takes a look at the players to watch from the boys Divisions 1, 3, and 5 games slated for today, starting at 12:00 p.m.   Division 1: #1 St. Joseph Knights v. #2 Buchanan Bears (Clovis)   6'3 [player_tooltip player_id='1956462' first='Julius' last='Price'] PG 2026 (St. Joseph)   Price has been the driving force for the Knights this season, after the graduation of Tounde Yessoufou, and has kept St. Joes on pace to get back to the D1 Section title game after playing a daunting national schedule for the second consecutive season. Price, looking for his 3rd Section Title (2023 and 2025), has shouldered the responsibility of leading this team in a variety of ways, and the Stanford commit will look to steady the pace of play and contribute in whatever way his team needs for him to have success. Price has led the Knights in scoring this season at 22 points per game, to go along with 4 rebounds and 5 assists, and he will need to be on his A-game from the jump to set the tone for St. Joe's, who will be taking on a stingy Buchanan defense.    6'2 [player_tooltip player_id='2436278' first='Malcolm' last='Price'] CG 2027 (St. Joseph)   Malcolm, the younger of the Price brother backcourt, has stepped up big time this season and has emerged as the team's second leading scorer, and one of the toughest on-ball perimeter defenders in the Section. Price had his career single-game scoring high of 39 points in the Knights quarterfinal win over Centennial of Bakersfield, and he will be relied upon to hit big shots, contain the opposing primary ball-handler, and to secure the ball, making good decisions with the ball in hand, all of which he has done at a high level this season. This would be his 2nd Section title and a cool way to add to his and his brothers on court success since joining forces at St. Joes. Malcolm has averaged 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists per game this season, and that 21 point average will be needed to put pressure on the Bears, who have struggled to score at times this season against quality opponents.    6'1 Gunner Morinini SG 2026 (St. Joseph)   Morinini has been the floor spacer and much improved play-maker for the Knights this season, and his high-level 3-point shooting will be needed to open up the Bears defense and allow the bigs to dominate the interior for lobs and finds in the dunker spot for dazzling baskets. Morinini was a key part of last year's Section title team and his experience, poise, and leadership on this stage will be called upon when the game gets close. Morinini has averaged 13 points and 2 steals per game this season, and those 13 points will be needed, especially connecting on the jumper to take some of the pressure off the Price brothers.    6'8 Williams Sacre WF 2028 (St. Joseph)   The high-flyer, athletic sophomore has continued to show his ability to control the paint on both ends, with blocks at the basket, relentless action on the boards on both ends, and rim running in the half and full-court setting, which usually lead to some impressive dunks. Sacre has shown he is ready to be the next big to emerge from the St. Joe's program and his length and versatility will be called upon to lock down the post, as well as make it difficult for perimeter shooters on close out and contests. Sacre could be the X-factor in the Section title game, as his style of play should make it difficult for the Bears to defend. Sacre has averaged 10 points and 9 rebounds per game this season and will need to have that amount of rebounds to limit the Bears scoring opportunities.    6'9 [player_tooltip player_id='2436295' first='Godson' last='Eyita'] PF 2027 (St. Joseph)    Eyita has been heating up as of late, with a big game in the semifinals against the battle tested Eagles of Bakersfield Christian. Eyita has averaged 7 points and 6 rebounds per game for the season, but has seen those numbers go up significantly in the last 10 games of the season, specifically in the Knights win over Salesian of Richmond at the Crush in the Valley showcase. If he can enforce his style of play, which is a blend of power and skill, he will be a tough defensive assignment for Harris of Buchanan.    5'9 Des Patton PG 2026 (Buchanan)   Patton has led this team from the start of the season, and that level of play has adapted to the team's needs on a game-by-game basis. When he needs to be the facilitator, he controls the flow of the offense and heads the defense. Patton has shown he can be more of a scorer when the opportunity presents itself, and has improved his ability to score in the paint, as well as from the perimeter. His control of the ball and decision making will be huge for the Bears, as it will need to value the ball and possessions against the favorite St. Joes.    6'3 Jaiden Anderson WF 2026 (Buchanan)   Anderson has had pivotal games scoring the ball this season, as well as being active on the glass, and using his physical and athletic frame to hold up against bigger players, and finds open spots in the defense. Anderson will need to be more assertive scoring the ball, as well as staying out of foul trouble to keep him on the court to defend both bigs and perimeter players. Pump fakes and ball-fakes will be useful to get the taller, lengthy St. Joes players out of position.    6'5 Devin Gaines WF 2026 (Buchanan)   Gaines has added versatility to the Bears offense and defense this season, and he also brings over a Section title on his resume, which will be helpful as Buchanan takes on the powerhouse Knights of St. Joseph. Gaines has the length and agility to hold up against taller players, could be helpful against Sacre, and help in the open court, where he thrives.    6'1 Josiah Perry CG 2028 (Buchanan)   Perry has been a great addition to the Buchanan squad on both ends of the court, as he can space the floor with the 3-ball, is a talented on-ball defender that has the length and agility to stay in front of the talented backcourt for the Knights. Perry has emerged as one of the Bears top scorers this season, especially of late, and he will need to provide that scoring punch in the biggest game of the season for Buchanan.    6'9 Brayden Harris FC 2026 (Buchanan)   Harris has been the stable force in the paint for Buchanan for the last four years and the senior big will play a huge role in today's D1 title game, as he will face a trio of bigs from St. Joseph, who have varying styles of play that come in waves. Harris crashes the boards, alters/blocks shots in the paint, and has nice touch on shots around the basket. Harris will be relied upon to be an impact player on the glass, as well as the scoreboard.   Division 3: #1 Tulare Union Tribe v. #2 Central Valley Christian Cavaliers (Visalia)   5'9 Brayden Stevenson PG 2026 (Tulare Union)    Stevenson has been part of the dynamic duo backcourt for the Tribe the past two seasons, and after losing before the Section title game last year, he has led his squad to the game it has aspired to get to and win. Stevenson has averaged 18 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2 steals per game, showing off his impact on various aspects of the game. Stevenson recently set the all-time Tulare Union career scoring record and he would like nothing more than to add a Section title to that resume. He will need to put up his season averages to give his team the best chance to win.    5'10 Demaje Riley CG 2027 (Tulare Union)   Riley has been the other piece of the dynamic backcourt duo for the Tribe and he has come up big in key moments of games, with big shots or critical plays on defense. Riley has averaged 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals to highlight his two-way impact. Riley will need to connect on perimeter shots to open up the court, and play strong on-ball defense to rattle the guard play for CVC. Riley is also looking to add a Section title to his resume, after falling short last season.    6' Jayden Bergman PG 2028 (Central Valley Christian)   The standout sophomore lead guard has been stellar this season and the primary ball handler for the Cavaliers, who have out paced the expectations many had after a month into play. CVC has shown a relentless approach to each game and have earned a spot in the D2 Section title game, and Bergman has been a critical component to this season's success. Bergman will need to take care of the basketball, as the Tribe looks to pressure opposing guards and generate turnovers, as well as score the ball in the flow of the offense, and not feel the need to carry the weight of the team on his shoulders. Bergman has averaged 15.7 points, 4 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game and will need to meet these numbers to take down the top seed.    6'4 [player_tooltip player_id='3269168' first='Grant' last='Hyde'] WF 2027 (Central Valley Christian)   Hyde has made significant strides to his game this season, as a scorer, a play-maker, a rebounder, and can run the floor in the open court to get ahead of the defense. Hyde has averaged 14.3 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals per game, and he is the X-factor for me in this D2 Section title game. He is more skilled than the bigs for Tulare Union, is able to space the floor to pull height away from the basket, and make great reads to open teammates.   Division 5: #1 Santa Maria Saints v. #2 Coalinga Horned Toads   6'1 Julius Medina CG 2026 (Santa Maria) Saints    Medina has been the leading player for the sharp-shooting Saints all season and will be called upon to keep up the high-level of shooting from beyond the arc. Santa Maria is one of the top 3-point shooting teams in the state and will need to click on all-cylinders to capture the D5 Section title.     5'11 Daymen Tamayo PG 2026 (Coalinga)   Tamayo has led the Toads in scoring this season with averages of 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists, showing his all-around impact on the game. He will need to meet his season averages to keep pace with the high scoring Saints.     5'9 Patrick Salazar CG 2028 (Coalinga)   The standout sophomore has put up impressive numbers this season, going for 21 points per game. Salazar will need to have a strong showing to help out his teammates Tamayo to pull out the win over the top seed.

Fresno, CA - Today is the second day off the annual Central Section Boys and Girls Basketball Championships, hosted at Selland Arena in Fresno, CA. Today, Day 2, features games from Divisions 5, 3, and 1 (the headliner game) from both the boys and girls side. This article takes a look at the players to watch from the boys Divisions 1, 3, and 5 games slated for today, starting at 12:00 p.m.