CIF Championship weekend: Best performances

<p>The CIF Boys Basketball championships are in the books, as six teams hoisted section crowns.</p> <p>We quickly run down some of the weekend's top performances from four of the games: the Open, Division 1 and Division 2 championship games, held this weekend at UCSD RIMAC Arena, and the Division 3 championship held at Mira Mesa HS.</p> <h3> </h3> <h3>Michael Pope, 6-3 2019 G, Torrey Pines</h3> <p>The less heralded of the Pope brothers paced Torrey Pines with 14 points, hitting big shots in the second half and providing solid perimeter defense against Knights guard Jaren Nafarrete.</p> <h3>Noah Viera, 6-8 2019 F, Torrey Pines</h3> <p>Viera has been a Foothills killer this season, scoring 21 points in the first contest in December. He scored 15 points in this one, and showed off the range hitting 3-4 threes, including 2 big ones in the fourth quarter. </p> <h3>Bryce Pope, 6-3 2019 G, Torrey Pines</h3> <p>The Knights keyed on Pope, limiting him to eight shot attempts, but the leader of the Falcons contributed in other ways. The UCSD signee grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds and hit three clutch free throws down the stretch.</p> <h3>Derrick Carter-Hollinger, 6-5 W, Foothills Christian</h3> <p>The Montana signee put the team on his back in the fourth quarter, knocking down two pull-up jumpers and attacking the basket for a potential game-tying and-1. Carter-Hollinger finished with a game-high 19 points.</p> <h3>Obinna Anyanwu, 6-7 F, Cathedral Catholic</h3> <p>Anyanwu scored 13 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the D1 champion Dons, none more important that the rebound and score in the game's final seconds. Anyanwu corralled his missed shot and fought off four Parker defenders for the game-winning putback.</p> <h3>Thomas Notarainni, 6-4 2021 W, Cathedral Catholic</h3> <p>The scorer deluxe contributed a game-high 18 points and was one of a handful of players all weekend to shoot over 50 percent (6-11). Notarainni, a bruiser attacking the basket, has notably improved his shot off the catch this season.</p> <h3>Kimo Ferrari. 6-0 2020 PG, Francis Parker</h3> <p>It wasn't his most efficient effort, but Ferrari scored 16 points and gave the Lancers a chance to win the game, calmly knocking down a left-wing three to give them a one-point lead. He had two other clutch layups through contact in the fourth quarter as well.</p> <h3>Jailen Nelson, 5-10 2020 PG, Carlsbad</h3> <p>Nelson knifed his way through RBV's defense for scores and assists to his teammates. And when he wasn't in the paint, he was hitting set-shots from deep. The Lancers floor general scored 21 points and nearly notched a triple double with 7 rebounds and 7 assists. </p> <h3>Carter Plousha, 6-5 2019 W, Carlsbad</h3> <p>The jack-of-all-trades wing type got Carlsbad off to a strong start, scoring 6 quick points attacking the Longhorns off the dribble. He finished with 14 points and chipped in assists, steals, blocked shots and strong position defense on Longhorns star guard Patrick McLachlan.</p> <h3>Patrick McLachlan, 6-3 2019 G, RBV</h3> <p>He didn't have his best shooting game (8-22) from the field. But McLachlan didn't quit fighting when the Lancers jumped out to a 24-7 lead. His 24 points were a game high, but he also led his team with 11 rebounds. </p> <h3>Jaliel Jackson, 6-2 2019 F, San Diego</h3> <p>Jackson scored a game-high 25 points and 7 rebounds, gashing Valhalla's defense with scoring off the bounce, in the post and from midrange for the Cavers, the D3 champs. </p> <h3>AJ Burgin, 6-2 2021 G, San Diego</h3> <p>Burgin didn't shoot it great (5-15 FG), but came alive in the second half, shooting 5-8 from the field and harassing star Valhalla PG Domanic Safarta into 4-17 shooting and 4 turnovers. Burgin finished with 15 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>