CIF-SS Division 2AA Semifinals Preview

<p>The CIF Southern Section playoffs have provided plenty of excitement and upsets through the first three rounds. As we head into the semifinals on Tuesday, we want to analyze and breakdown each of the “final four” matchups among the divisions. In this piece, we take a look at the two semifinal matchups in Division 2AA between Long Beach Poly and Foothill and Los Altos and Village Christian.</p> <h6>Long Beach Poly at Foothill<br /> <br /> </h6> <p><strong>Key Storyline</strong>: I think the key here is pace. Both squads have the guards and scoring ability to play an uptempo, up-and-down style and will certainly be looking to get out in transition early and often. Why will this be a key factor? Because with a fast-paced style comes some turnovers, poor shot selection and a lot more possessions than your typical half-court style of game. Whichever team can shoot the best percentage and limit the number of turnovers will be in a good position to make a championship appearance.</p> <p><strong>Key Matchup:</strong> While both teams have very good guard-play - with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="954226" first="Christian" last="Watson"]</strong> and <strong>Buddha Henry</strong> for Poly and Jacob Horton and Cruz Billings for Foothill - I can see this game being won inside with rebounding, finishing around the basket and contesting shots in the painted area. For Poly it will be <strong>Marcel Hayes</strong> going up against Foothill’s <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="971258" first="Braedyn" last="Benhard"]</strong>. Hayes is an athletic 6-foot-5 wing/forward who has some inside-out scoring ability while Benhard is an old-school type of big who does the majority of his damage inside and on the offensive boards. Whichever team gets the most production out of this matchup will find itself in good position to advance.</p> <p><strong>X-Factors:</strong> The x-factor all season for the Jackrabbits has been talented freshman guard <strong>Jovani Ruff</strong> and I don’t think that changes even in this big of an atmosphere. Foothill will be jam-packed with a loud student section, which really is the Knights’ x-factor, and it’s crucial for opponents to keep their composure when the crowd gets going. Ruff has proven many times this season that he has nerves of steel and Poly will need him to be locked in.</p> <h6>Village Christian at Los Altos<br /> <br /> </h6> <p><strong>Key Storyline:</strong> As with most games involving Los Altos the storyline everyone watches is how the opponent will defend 7-foot junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="992478" first="Jazz" last="Gardner"]</strong>. Because of his combination of size, skill, mobility and footwork, Gardner has been a tough cover for most high school defenses he has gone up against this season. Going down the Village Christian roster, their biggest player, <strong>Noah Williams</strong>, is listed at 6-feet-8, but plays more of a wing role, so the onus of guarding Gardner will likely be a full team effort.</p> <p><strong>Key Matchup:</strong> Both teams are at their best when the point guards are playing well, which is why we see the key matchup being between <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="748742" first="CJ" last="Bellamy"]</strong> of Los Altos and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="994967" first="Immanuel" last="Taylor"]</strong> of Village Christian. Both players have the ability to fill up the scoring column if they get on a roll and them shooting well for the perimeter obviously does wonders for the post players inside to get more space and freedom to operate.</p> <p><strong>X-Factors:</strong> The x-factor for Los Altos will be 6-foot-4 wing <strong>Aaron Hernandez</strong>. The senior is a lethal spot-up shooter and, when shots are falling for him, it makes the Conquerors very difficult to guard. Village Christian needs <strong>Noah Williams</strong> to show up in a big way. As mentioned above, the 6-foot-8 sophomore is skilled and talented on the perimeter which would present a matchup problem for Los Altos if he’s locked in and playing at the level he’s capable of.</p>