Wright's Weekly Review: CIF Playoffs NorCal

Throughout the week PH tries to attend as many games as we can get to. In this weeks version March 1-5 of Wright’s Weekly Review we found ourselves evaluating teams making a push to get to the State Finals. All games were CIF Regional Playoff games with teams having moved on from the sectional play. Here’s a rundown of the teams and games we were in attendance. Tuesday March 1st: CIF State Regional 1st round DIV II contest. Saint Francis 82, University 75. [player_tooltip player_id="747087" first="Harlan" last="Banks"] 6’3 2022 Guard of Saint Francis had the hot hand early with 13 first half points, mostly on strong drives to the basket, and running the lanes in transition. He hit a couple of 3’s in the 2nd half to finish with 21pts. [player_tooltip player_id="947392" first="Vince" last="Barringer"] 6’7 2022 W/F of Saint Francis. He’s one of the top 3pt shooters in the area. When he’s knocking down long 3’s, Saint Francis is a tough out. He knocked down two 3’s in the first half, and helped Saint Francis take control in the 2nd half with 2 more deep 3's from the corner to secure the game. He had four 3’s for 12pts. [player_tooltip player_id="1253241" first="Cole" last="Boake"] 6’3 2024 CG of University. He has his combo guard skills working big time in this game Boake led all scorers with 25pts. He drained needed 3’s from the wings, found cutters to the basket with nice passing, and he fed his big in the post. [player_tooltip player_id="1255651" first="Joey" last="Kennedy"] 6’6 2023 SF, F of University. This was only his fourth or fifth game back from injury. He played like he missed no time. He was doing his usual thing rebounding, scoring points in the paint, with good passing, and defending the post. He joins the double-double club with his performance 20pts 13rebs. Thursday March 3rd: CIF Regional 2nd round DIV I contest. Saint Ignatius 53, Lincoln of Stockton 38. [player_tooltip player_id="1279210" first="Ryan" last="Conroy"] 6’1 PG, SG of Saint Ignatius. Conroy did a good job being the lead ball handler and playmaker on a team that’s locked in right now. He controlled tempo, used nice shifty handles, and stop and go moves to make his way around the court. He hit timely jumpers throughout the game. Two 3’s and 15pts. [player_tooltip player_id="1116239" first="John" last="Squire"] 6’6 2023 C, PF of Saint Ignatius. Squire had good post presence in this game, the big body forward changed several shots, blocked 2 of them. He’s been a consistent performer, with good passing and solid inside play including rebounding and controlling the paint on defense throughout the playoffs. [player_tooltip player_id="766849" first="Andre" last="Warren"] 6’5 Unsigned Senior PG of Lincoln, Stockton Warren has been a consistent performer all season for this team. In this game he had 15pts. He’s a tough minded player who has taken charge of this team down the stretch with his play. He’s shown he can produce at 3 or 4 positions, including defending bigs in the post. He has a good upside as an unsigned Senior. 11.2pts, 4.5rebs, 4.1asts, and 2.8stls. [player_tooltip player_id="947816" first="Miles" last="Byrd"] 6’7 2022 Committed to San Diego State Byrds value really springs to life when the game is on the line. He showed why he’s a next level player. He stepped up his play in the second half, his defense in the open court, using his mobility and length to make it tough on defenders, rebounding, pushing and passing. He caused several turnovers to cut the lead to just a few points. A versatile player. 9pts, 5rebs,2asts, 4stls, and 1 block. Saturday March 5: CIF Regional Semi-final DIV III Bullard at Oakland High. Bullard wins 60, Oakland 59. Lejuan Watts 6’5 2022 G/F of Bullard It was our first good look at Watts. He’s a well built player with plenty of size and muscle. Most would expect him to be a dominate force inside, the reality is he’s a bonafide ball handler who makes plays, control the pace of the game at times. He’s an excellent passer, and a player who can score when he’s on balance. He joins the double-double club. 15pts, 13rebs, 3asts. Tyric Herod 6’2 SG, CG of Bullard Herod makes the game look fun to play. He just goes along, handling, passing, moving without the ball, and defending. Then all of a sudden he’ll drop 2 or 3 3ptrs on you. He has good flow to his game. He likes the pressure, and is an confident player who can score in bunches. He had 13pts, 3-3’s, 4asts. [player_tooltip player_id="1380866" first="Money" last="Williams"] 6’4 2023 G of Oakland Williams is a player we’ll see more of in the spring and summer. He a tough minded player with a good set of skills on offense. He has the ability to score in all the usual ways. Handles ball pressure, has good court vision and can use his body to twist and turn his way to the basket for buckets. 17pts, 4rebs. He’s on Wright’s Watch List. Te’shawn Gamble 5’10 2023 PG of Oakland Gamble has the skills and speed to be a productive player starting or coming off the bench. In this case off the bench you can see his skills on display, the speed at which he plays, quick hands to get steals, pushing it fast up the court, a scoring abilities in transition, and a nice paint jumper on the drive. 8pts, 5rebs, 5stls, 3asts.