CIF San Diego Section Division 4 Preview
The San Diego Section Division 4, much like D5, is full of teams that haven’t had a ton of success in recent memory.
It’s also a division where a team with a singular talent (or a handful of solid players) can make a deep run.
And – believe it or not – Division 1 talent dots some of the rosters, even way down in the section’s second lowest division.
Who are the favorites in Division 4? Who are some of the dark horses? Prep Hoops So-Cal has some of your answers. (Full disclosure: My son plays for one of the teams)
THE FAVORITES
El Centro Southwest
The Eagles nearly upset the eventual D4 champions Brawley in the section semifinals, and brings its entire team back. 6-4 senior forward Grant Hansink led the team in scoring, 5-8 senior point guard Eric Pompa is an unflappable leader and 6-2 senior wing Tyler Saikhon is – like most of his teammates – a solid dual-sport athlete. Ryan Silva and Cameron Jungers round out the talented quintet of players. The road to Jenny Craig Pavilion might very well run through Imperial County once more.
San Diego
Head Coach Basil Fontenot might have the program’s best team since Jeremy Tyler played for the Cavers in 2007. Thomas Marcus, who transferred from now-defunct Horizon Christian Academy, is an electric 6-3 combo guard who has signed to Arizona for football. Marcus, who played AAU for the Oakland Soldiers team that won the Peach Jam, is surrounded with a talented supporting cast: 6-5 W Emanwel Henry has blossomed into a legit college prospect, 2019 PG Daniel Thomas is a two-year varsity starter and 2019 F Jaliel Jackson is tough on the glass. The Cavers will need consistent perimeter shooting from 2019 Bonita Vista transfer Charles “CJ” Johnson and 2021 PG AJ Burgin (yes, we’re related) to keep teams from packing it in on the team’s slashing wings.
THE CONTENDERS
Preuss UCSD
The Tritons return nine players from last year’s varsity team, including one of the section’s more underrated back courts, Kibru Sugebo and Thomas Tolentino. Sugebo impressed onlookers at the Creme of the County 2019 Select Game, and Tolentino starred two seasons ago in Preuss’ near upset of then-top-seeded O’Farrell in the D5 championship.
Maranatha Christian
The Eagles, who succumbed to a 3-14 upset in the Division 4 playoffs last year, return one of the region’s more underrated senior prospects, 6-3 G Phillip Willis. Fellow seniors Adam Buffini and Micaiah Boettner are solid perimeter players and juniors Matt Brashear and Nate Salas will also play major roles. This team’s strength is its perimeter shooting- all five starters can heat up from deep.
Escondido Adventist
Coach Bill Davis’ Hawks are built around junior Ethan Davis – the coach’s son – and he is a great block to build around. The 6-5 face-up four man is as much of a threat to score from the post as he is the perimeter. The Hawks return three of their five leading scorers, including Ethan’s older brother, Tyler. 6-2 guard Alex Tran is a stat stuffer for the Citrus League champs.
Monte Vista
Mike Tully’s crew is coming off of a 2-8 season in the Grossmont Valley league, but returns the league’s best individual talent: 2018 guard Deondre McHayle. McHayle, a 6-1, 200 pound combo guard, can score it from all three levels and can take over a game for the Monarchs at any given time. He’s got some underrated pieces beside him, including senior scorer Jordan Bramer and heady point guard Tommy Gallegos.
Tri-City Christian
Venerable head coach Stan Bickley returns solid talent from last year’s squad, including juniors Chase Webb Josh Thompson and Josh Sedlock. Webb won the MVP of the Creme of the County 2019 Select Game, hitting five threes in the contest. Bickley is bullish on freshman point guard Justin Mitchell.
DARK HORSES
Crawford
The Colts haven’t been relevant since Terry Tucker was churning out D1 prospects in the 2000s, but Jason Byrd has a solid group that revolves around 6-4 junior forward Rickey Stewart. Stewart knows what he is – a strong undersized lefty post who crashes the glass on both ends. The Colts have some under-the-radar guards and shooters surrounding him. They could give the teams ahead of them a scare.
Guajome Park Academy
It’s hard to call a team that was in the Division 5 finals a dark horse, but that’s where the Frogs find themselves. Despite graduating 6-6 senior Kyle Grant, the Frogs have three talented pieces back, including PG Cristian Garrett, forward Tiberius Ballard and 6-5 big man Dreyton Florence.
Top prospects
Thomas Marcus, 2018 SG, San Diego – The senior shooting guard was receiving D1 basketball interest before committing to football. A volume lefty scorer and an explosive finisher in transition.
Emanwel Henry, 2018 WF, San Diego – The 6-5 lefty wing can score from all three levels, and has improved on the defensive end.
Deondre McHayle, 2018 G, Monte Vista – McHayle has evolved from a bully ball combo to a legit three-level scorer and improved passer.
Phillip Willis, 2018 SG, Maranatha Christian – Long, lanky 6-3 lefty is a prolific shooter and crafty playmaker off the bounce.
Adrian Lee, 2018 PF, Castle Park – The 6-7 forward shoots it well for a player his size and has improved his ball handling. With an improved motor, could be a steal for a Division 2, or better with JUCO. was the MVP of the Creme of the County 2018 Creme Game.
Hassan Hunt, 2018 G, High Tech High CV – The 6-2 lefty was Co-MVP of the 2018 Select game can score it from deep and has improved attacking the basket.
Rickey Stewart, 2019 F Crawford – Arguably one of the top-5 pound-for-pound rebounders in the region.
Kibru Sugebo, 2019 PG, Preuss UCSD – Lightning-quick 5-11 point guard causes havoc on both ends with his motor.
Steve Stinson, 2020 PG, Victory Christian – The 5-10 point guard is strong as they come, but has improved his feel and perimeter shooting dramatically since last season.