Division I
First Round Wednesday, Feb. 23 7 p.m.
(1) La Costa Canyon (23-4) vs. (16) Escondido (10-16)
(8) Vista (19-9) vs. (9) Eastlake (17-8)
(5) El Camino (23-6) vs. (12) Rancho Bernardo (18-11)
(4) Otay Ranch (23-4) vs. (13) Granite Hills (17-11)
(3) Rancho Buena Vista (24-3) vs. (14) Fallbrook (18-10)
(6) Grossmont (18-9) vs. (11) San Ysidro (20-8)
(7) Poway (15-12) vs. (10) Mission Hills (17-10)
(2) Torrey Pines (22-5) vs. (15) San Diego (12-14)
Quarterfinals Saturday, Feb. 26 7 p.m.
Semifinals Wednesday, March 2 7 p.m.
Finals Saturday, March 5 8:05 p.m. at University of San Diego
Breakdown
Favorite (1) La Costa Canyon
La Costa Canyon received the top seed as the result of being the only section team to beat Torrey Pines, Rancho Buena Vista and El Camino. The Mavericks play solid on both ends of the court led by senior forward Drew Kitchens, and can match up against any team in the Division I field. Consider La Costa Canyon a slight favorite ahead of Torrey Pines, Rancho Buena Vista, Otay Ranch and El Camino in the deepest bracket of the five.
Sleeper (4) Otay Ranch
Otay Ranch is enjoying its best season since the school opened in 2003, yet the Mustangs have been under the radar for most of the year. Senior 6’2” guard Alex Perez is one of the best playmakers in the section and could carry Otay Ranch further than most expect.
First Round Upset (10) Mission Hills over (7) Poway
Poway finished the regular season in up-and-down fashion, alternating wins and losses in its last six games. Which Titans team will show up in the first round against a fast, aggressive Mission Hills squad? Both teams have size inside and solid guard play, and this one could go either way. The Grizzlies will have extra motivation from a seven-point loss to Poway at the beginning of the season.
Star Watch Johnny Dee, Rancho Buena Vista, Sr.
Johnny Dee enters the playoffs as the section’s leading scorer, averaging more than 33 points per game. Dee is nothing short of prolific offensively, with both deep shooting range and the ability to create his own shot in the lane. He’s fresh off a 51-point performance at El Camino, too.
Potential Matchup to See Semifinals (2) Torrey Pines vs. (3) Rancho Buena Vista
Torrey Pines beat Rancho Buena Vista twice by single digits in the Hilltop Tournament, and the Longhorns would love to get another shot at the Falcons. Torrey Pines’ five-guard lineup provides flexibility in guarding RBV’s Johnny Dee, but the Longhorns have the size advantage inside with 7-footer Joey Vaz. Add a likely packed house at Torrey Pines, and this has the makings of a would-be classic.
Division I
First Round Wednesday, Feb. 23 7 p.m.
(1) La Costa Canyon (23-4) vs. (16) Escondido (10-16)
(8) Vista (19-9) vs. (9) Eastlake (17-8)
(5) El Camino (23-6) vs. (12) Rancho Bernardo (18-11)
(4) Otay Ranch (23-4) vs. (13) Granite Hills (17-11)
(3) Rancho Buena Vista (24-3) vs. (14) Fallbrook (18-10)
(6) Grossmont (18-9) vs. (11) San Ysidro (20-8)
(7) Poway (15-12) vs. (10) Mission Hills (17-10)
(2) Torrey Pines (22-5) vs. (15) San Diego (12-14)
Quarterfinals Saturday, Feb. 26 7 p.m.
Semifinals Wednesday, March 2 7 p.m.
Finals Saturday, March 5 8:05 p.m. at University of San Diego
Breakdown
Favorite (1) La Costa Canyon
La Costa Canyon received the top seed as the result of being the only section team to beat Torrey Pines, Rancho Buena Vista and El Camino. The Mavericks play solid on both ends of the court led by senior forward Drew Kitchens, and can match up against any team in the Division I field. Consider La Costa Canyon a slight favorite ahead of Torrey Pines, Rancho Buena Vista, Otay Ranch and El Camino in the deepest bracket of the five.
Sleeper (4) Otay Ranch
Otay Ranch is enjoying its best season since the school opened in 2003, yet the Mustangs have been under the radar for most of the year. Senior 6’2” guard Alex Perez is one of the best playmakers in the section and could carry Otay Ranch further than most expect.
First Round Upset (10) Mission Hills over (7) Poway
Poway finished the regular season in up-and-down fashion, alternating wins and losses in its last six games. Which Titans team will show up in the first round against a fast, aggressive Mission Hills squad? Both teams have size inside and solid guard play, and this one could go either way. The Grizzlies will have extra motivation from a seven-point loss to Poway at the beginning of the season.
Star Watch Johnny Dee, Rancho Buena Vista, Sr.
Johnny Dee enters the playoffs as the section’s leading scorer, averaging more than 33 points per game. Dee is nothing short of prolific offensively, with both deep shooting range and the ability to create his own shot in the lane. He’s fresh off a 51-point performance at El Camino, too.
Potential Matchup to See Semifinals (2) Torrey Pines vs. (3) Rancho Buena Vista
Torrey Pines beat Rancho Buena Vista twice by single digits in the Hilltop Tournament, and the Longhorns would love to get another shot at the Falcons. Torrey Pines’ five-guard lineup provides flexibility in guarding RBV’s Johnny Dee, but the Longhorns have the size advantage inside with 7-footer Joey Vaz. Add a likely packed house at Torrey Pines, and this has the makings of a would-be classic.