2023-2024 Boys Week 8B : Playoffs Enter Semifinals Round of 4

Two rounds of San Diego Section playoffs produced at least four shockers, sending power ratings analysts diving for cover.

No. 8 seed Scripps Ranch defeated No. 1 Santa Fe Christian in a second-round game, 60-51, in Division I  in the week’s most significant reversal. There were others:  A 6 seed over an 11, a 12 over a 5, and a 15 over a 2.

No. 6 Lincoln beat 11 Mater Dei, 65-55 in D-I.  No. 12 Imperial knocked off 5 Point Loma, 73-68, in D-III, and, rivaling what Scripps Ranch did, 15 El Centro Central nosed out 2 La Jolla, 63-60, in D-III.

Scripps and El Centro continue in the hunt.  The Falcons meet 4 El Camino and the Spartans of the Imperial Valley, after a second round upset, 61-57 over 7 Calexico Vincent Memorial, take on 3 Monte Vista in featured semifinals Wednesday, Feb. 21.

The most attractive matchup is 3 Montgomery (27-2)  at 2 St. Augustine (25-4) in an Open Division semifinal.  The top-ranked Carlsbad Lancers, whose 104-64 rout of Cathedral marked the highest playoff score since St. Augustine raced past El Centro Central, 104-66, in a 2004-05, takes on 5 La Jolla Country Day.

See below for all scores.

All games at higher (lower number) seed.
Open DivisionSaturday, February 17Wednesday, Feb 21Saturday, Feb 24
8 Cathedral (19-9) 64
1 Carlsbad 104		1 Carlsbad 77
5 La Jolla Country Day (23-6) 65		3 Montgomery (28-3) 47
1 Carlsbad (29-2) 56
@ U.C. San Diego
5 La Jolla Country Day 46
4 Torrey Pines (21-8) 45
3 Montgomery 49
6 Mission Hills (21-8) 41		3 Montgomery 56
2 St. Augustine (25-5) 39
7 La Costa Canyon (19-8) 48
2 St. Augustine 67
Division I
Wednesday, February 14		Saturday, February 17Wednesday, February 21Friday, Feb 23
16 San Ysidro (6-23) 44
1 Santa Fe Christian 74		8 Scripps Ranch 60
1 Santa Fe Christian (21-9) 51		8 Scripps Ranch 64
4 El Camino (16-15) 62		8 Scripps Ranch (20-12) 43
2 Mission Bay (21-11) 57
@ Otay Ranch
9 Francis Parker (15-14) 62
8 Scripps Ranch 64
12 Bonita Vista (14-15) 37
5 Hoover 65		5 Hoover (18-12) 65
4 El Camino 67
13 Otay Ranch (10-18) 66
4 El Camino 81
11 Lincoln 65
6 Mater Dei (16-13) 55		11 Lincoln (11-19) 52
3 San Marcos 73		3 San Marcos (24-7) 42
2 Mission Bay 54
14 Madison (9-20) 39
3 San Marcos 86
10 San Diego (9-20) 44
7 Del Norte 59
7 Del Norte (16-13) 44
2 Mission Bay 52
15 Poway (10-19) 44
2 Mission Bay 74
Division II
Wednesday, February 14
Saturday, February 17Wednesday, February 21Friday, February 23
16 Calexico (12-14) 52
1 Rancho Buena Vista 87		8 Mt. Carmel (17-13) 57
1 Rancho Buena Vista 84		1 Rancho Buena Vista 62
5 Sage Creek (17-14) 59		1 Rancho Buena Vista (24-8) 57
3 University City (24-8) 72
@ San Marcos
9 Patrick Henry (18-11) 62
8 Mt. Carmel 73
12 Ramona (12-16) 52
5 Sage Creek 56		5 Sage Creek 55
4 Vista (20-10) 51
13 San Dieguito (5-22) 45
4 Vista 85
11 Helix (13-16) 49
6 Eastlake 69		6 Eastlake (17-13) 51
3 University City 57
14 Canyon Crest (11-18) 63
3 University City 74
10 The Bishop's (13-15) 52
7 Christian 56		7 Christian (19-8) 50
2 Victory Christian 84		3 University City 66
2 Victory Christian (20-10) 63
15 Coronado (7-23) 54
2 Victory Christian 91
Division III
Wednesday, February 14		Saturday, February 17Tuesday, February 20Friday, February 23
16 Mission Vista (9-18) 35
1 Olympian 81		8 St. Joseph (19-10) 59
1 Olympian 78		1 Olympian 60
4 Mira Mesa 21-10) 33		1 Olympian (28-3) 50
3 Monte Vista (23-9) 36
@ Clairemont
9 Steele Canyon (15-14) 68
8 St. Joseph 71
12 Imperial 73
5 Point Loma (18-9) 68		12 Imperial (14-16) 68
4 Mira Mesa 77
13 Escondido Charter (16-13) 55
4 Mira Mesa 70
11 Oceanside (11-16) 56
6 Westview 60		6 Westview (18-12) 41
3 Monte Vista 53
14 Granite Hills (13-12) 43
3 Monte Vista 62
10 Maranatha (11-18) 47
7 Calexico Vincent Memorial 65		7 Calexico Vincent Memorial (18-8) 57
15 El Centro Central 61		3 Monte Vista 74
15 El Centro Central (16-13) 67
15 El Centro Central 63
2 La Jolla (15-12) 60
Division IV
Wed February 14		Saturday, February 17Tuesday, February 20Thursday, February 22
16 Santana (9-20) 55
1 San Diego Southwest 67		8 Valley Center (16-14) 34
1 San Diego Southwest 50		1 San Diego Southwest 74
4 Canyon Hills (20-9) 69		1 San Diego Southwest (28-3) 48
2 Mount Miguel (23-8) 70
@ Otay Ranch
9 Rock (16-10) 53
8 Valley Center 58
12 Crawford 79
5 El Capitan (20-9) 68		12 Crawford (12-16) 42
4 Canyon Hills 56
13 Escondido (10-19) 29
4 Canyon Hills 54
11 Mar Vista (10-15) 37
6 Fallbrook 75		6 Fallbrook (14-15) 55
3 High Tech Chula Vista 62		2 Mount Miguel 80
3 High Tech Chula Vista (23-5) 72
14 Blythe Palo Verde Valley (8-15) 45
3 High Tech Chula Vista 62
10 Brawley (15-14) 46
7 Clairemont 71		7 Clairemont (17-11) 69
2 Mount Miguel 89
15 Sweetwater (11-14) 57
2 Mount Miguel 76

1 Calipatria		8 Chula Vista (9-18) 15
1 Calipatria 60		1 Calipatria 69
4 Coastal (15-6) 25		1 Calipatria (21-4) 43
2 Del Lago (21-10) 59
@ Clairemont
9 Bayfront Charter (14-9) 36
8 Chula Vista 43
12 High Tech North County (13-14) 44
5 O'Farrell 59		5 O'Farrell (16-11) 26
4 Coastal 37

4 Coastal
11 High Tech Mesa 56
6 Holtville (10-13) 53		11 High Tech Mesa (10-19) 66
3 El Cajon Valley 72		3 El Cajon Valley (15-15) 58
2 Del Lago 67

3 El Cajon Valley
10 Mountain Empire (15-8) 33
7 Castle Park 53		7 Castle Park (11-17) 30
2 Del Lago 66

2 Del Lago
Division V-AA
Wednesday, February 14		Saturday, February 17Tuesday, February 20Thursday, February 22

1 Tri-City		8 Julian (15-10) 20
1 Tri-City 74		1Tri-City 65
4 Bonsall (9-9) 36		1 Tri-City (21-10) 75
3 San Diego Jewish (15-12) 57
@ Canyon Crest
9 Escondido Adventist (6-19) 33
8 Julian 43
12 Borrego Springs (10-13) 32
5 Monarch 53		5 Monarch (17-9) 52
4 Bonsall (17-9) 69

4 Bonsall		3 San Diego Jewish 67
1 The Cambridge (19-3) 47
11 San Diego Academy (8-9) 29
6 Southern California Yeshiva 40		6 Southern California Yeshiva (12-12) 34
3 San Diego Jewish 71

3 San Diego Jewish
10 Ocean View (7-13) 55
7 Warner Springs Warner 57		7 Warner Springs Warner (17-13) 35
2 The Cambridge 57

2 The Cambridge



2023-2024 Girls Week 8: Finalists Emerge in D-III, IV, V, V-A, and V-AA

See table below for scores and pairings.
All games except final, are at higher (lower number) seed.
Open DivisionFriday,
February 16		Wednesday,
February 21		Saturday,
February 24
8 Scripps Ranch(17-9) 34
1 Mission Hills 96		1 Mission Hills 67
5 Del Norte 50		1 Mission Hills (23-8) 63
2 La Jolla Country Day (24-7) 56
@ U.C. San Diego
5 Del Norte 62
4 Poway (19-9) 59
6 Bonita Vista (15-14) 55
3 Westview 67		3 Westview 42
2 La Jolla Country Day 54
7 Rancho Bernardo (19-10) 32
2 La Jolla Country Day 60
Division I
Tuesday, February 13		Friday,
February 16		Wednesday,
February 21		Friday,
February 23
1 Cathedral 1
16 Mount Miguel (4-26) 0		8 Olympian (14-15) 44
1 Cathedral 63		1 Cathedral 63
5 Fallbrook 44		1 Cathedral (21-11) 51
2 Grossmont (23-8) 45
@ Otay Ranch
8 Olympian 60
9 Carlsbad (15-15) 59
12 Imperial (16-14) 37
5 Fallbrook 57		5 Fallbrook 60
4 La Costa Canyon (16-14) 54
13 Our Lady of Peace (6-20) 39
4 La Costa Canyon 66
11 Eastlake (14-16) 35
6 Oceanside 47		6 Oceanside 41
3 Torrey Pines (16-14) 38		6 Oceanside 44
2 Grossmont 61
14 St Joseph (12-16) 43
3 Torrey Pines 51
10 Mater Dei (10-17) 44
7 San Marcos 46		7 San Marcos (12-18) 26
2 Grossmont 66
15 Mt Carmel (8-22) 34
2 Grossmont 77
Division II
Tuesday, February 13		Friday,
February 16		Wednesday,
February 21		Friday,
February 23
16 Monte Vista (9-19) 13
1 Francis Parker 80		8 Helix (19-8) 26
1 Francis Parker 58		1 Francis Parker 52
5 Rancho Buena Vista 33		1 Francis Parker (20-9) 47
3 Victory Christian (22-7) 35
@ San Marcos
9 Otay Ranch (15-11) 33
8 Helix 55
12 San Dieguito (6-18) 37
5 Rancho Buena Vista 67		5 Rancho Buena Vista 58
4 Morse (22-8) 47
13 San Diego (13-14) 14
4 Morse 60
11 Pacific Ridge (11-15) 35
6 El Capitan 62		6 El Capitan (19-11) 47
3 Victory Christian 49		3 Victory Christian 65
2 The Bishop's 36
14 Classical (7-15) 9
3 Victory 53
10 Granite Hills 38
7 Steele Canyon (20-10) 31		10 Granite Hills (10-12) 42
2 The Bishop's 46
15 Christian (7-17) 27
2 The Bishops 61
Division III
em>Tuesday, Feb 13		Friday,
February 16		Tuesday,
February 20		Thursday,
February 22
16 Valley Center (12-14) 40
1 Montgomery 80		8 University City (15-12) 19
1 Montgomery 67		1 Montgomery 83
4 Vista (22-7) 41		1 Montgomery (21-11) 59
2 Sage Creek (19-10) 43
@ Canyon Crest
9 Calexico (14-12) 29
8 University City 35
12 El Centro Central (10-16) 43
5 West Hills 52		5 West Hills (20-8) 43
4 Vista 52
13 Brawley (14-13) 28
4 Vista 63
11 Point Loma (16-13) 43
6 Blythe Palo Verde Valley 69		6 Blythe Palo Verde Valley
(19-9) 44
3 Mira Mesa 50		3 Mira Mesa (19-10) 38
2 Sage Creek 45
14 Crawford (12-17) 56
3 Mira Mesa 64
10 Hoover (16-13) 49
7 Calexico Vincent Memorial 76		7 Calexico Vincent
Memorial (14-6) 32
2 Sage Creek 55
15 Patrick Henry (9-21) 25
2 Sage Creek 52
Division IV
Tuesday, February 13		Friday,
February 16		Tuesday,
February 20		Thursday,
February 22
16 Mar Vista (5-14) 30
1 La Jolla 57		8 Canyon Crest (12-14) 38
1 La Jolla 55		1 La Jolla (17-13) 41
4 Escondido Charter 46		4 Escondido Charter (21-11) 54
6 Santa Fe Christian (18-13) 44
@ Otay Ranch
9 Bayfront Charter(14-13) 34
8 Canyon Crest 60
12 Tri-City (13-11) 27
5 Valhalla 46		5 Valhalla (14-11) 44
4 Escondido Charter 56
13 Mission Bay (11-17) 26 4 Escondido Charter (18-11) 51
11 The Cambridge (16-6) 36
6 Santa Fe Christian 59		6 Santa Fe Christian 47
3 Madison (17-12) 43		6 Santa Fe Christian 63
2 High Tech San Diego
(20-8) 42
14 San Diego Southwest (9-12) 23
3 Madison 46
10 Horizon 29
7 Hilltop (19-11) 28		10 Horizon (14-7) 32
2 High Tech San Diego 56
15 Orange Glen (8-15) 17
2 High Tech San Diego 54
Division V
Tuesday, February 13		Friday,
February 16		Tuesday,
February 20		Friday,
February 23

1 Escondido		8 Del Lago Academy 12-11) 17
1 Escondido 57		1 Escondido 51
4 Sweetwater (10-14) 21		1 Escondido (19-12) 74
2 Kearny (18-13) 53
@ Clairemont
9 Castle Park (7-21) 22
8 Del Lago 39
12 Coastal (9-12) 21
5 O'Farrell 57		5 O'Farrell (17-11) 26
4 Sweetwater 37

4 Sweetwater
11 High Tech Chula Vista (6-13) 16
6 El Centro Southwest 58		6 El Centro Southwest 58
3 High Tech North
County (14-3) 25		6 El Centro Southwest (9-21) 42
2 Kearny 59

3 High Tech North County
10 Gompers (8-16) 20
7 Preuss 30		7 Preuss (9-19) 19
2 Kearny 55

2 Kearny
Division V-AA
Tuesday, Feb 13		Friday,
February, 16		Tuesday,
February 20		Thursday,
February 22

1 Escondido Adventist		8 San Diego Academy (7-13) 33
1 Escondido Adventist 45		1 Escondido Adventist 41
5 Ocean View (12-6) 15
1 Escondido Adventist (17-6) 30
3 Rock (13-12) 38
@ Clairemont
9 Borrego Springs (4-14) 12
8 San Diego Academy 34
12 San Pasqual Academy (3-9) 12
5 Ocean View 37		5 Ocean View 54
4 Salton City West Shores (14-8) 25

4 Salton City West Shores
11 Monarch (7-14) 19
6 Foothills Christian 55		6 Foothills Christian (8-12) 22
3 Rock 43		3 Rock 36
2 Warner Springs Warner (19-5) 22

3 Rock
10 Mountain Empire (6-15) 19
7 Entrepreneurship & Technology		7 Entrepreneurship & Technology (5-12) 14
2 Warner Springs Warner 31

2 Warner Springs Warner



2023-24 Boys Week 8A: The Playoffs Are Here, Follows Last Regular-Season Vote.

John Maffei’s weekly, final regular-season Union-Tribune poll.

# TEAM RECORD POINTS PREVIOUS MAX-PREPS CAL-HI SPORTS
1 Carlsbad 26-2 (8) 161 1 8/9 15/15
2 Montgomery 26-2 (9) 159 2 17/20 20/21
3 St. Augustine 24-4 139 3 21/21 21/20
4 Torrey Pines 21-7 108 4 40/37 On the Bubble
5 La Jolla Country Day 22-5 103 5 59/58 NR/NR
6 La Costa Canyon 19-7 79 6 58/65 NR/NR
8 Mission Hills 21-7 50 7 76/80 NR/NR
7 Santa Fe Christian 20-8 64 8 98/88 NR/NR
9 Cathedral 19-8 38 9 106/102 NR/NR
10 San Marcos 22-6 9 NR 133/126 NR/NR

Others receiving votes
Vista (19-9, 5 points), Mission Bay (17-11, 5), San Diego Southwest (25-2, 3), Rancho Buena Vista ( 21-7, 2), Olympian (24-3, 1), Victory Christian (18-9, 1),

First-place votes in parenthesis.
Points on 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
Bold entries in columns are up-to-date rankings followed by previous.
Cal-Hi Sports’ and Max Preps’ represent state rankings. NR—Not ranked.

Records as of Monday, Feb. 5

VOTING PANEL

  • John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune
  • Aaron Burgin, Fulltime Hoops
  • Steve Brand, Eric Williams, Freelance writers
  • John Kentera, Freelance Contributor
  • Rick Smith, partletonsports.com
  • Adam Paul, eastcountysports.com
  • Bodie DeSilva, scorebooklive.com
  • Braden Surprenant 97.3 FM The Fan
  • Steve Dolan, Mountain Country 107.9-FM
  • Todd Cassen, Ron Marquez, CIF San Diego Section.
  • Rex Johnson, CIF Advisory Committee
  • Joe Evangelist, San Diego Coaching Legends Committee.
  • Tom Helmantoler, Advisor Southern Conference
  • Christian Pedersen, San Diego Sports Association
  • Maxpreps


2023-24 Girls Week 7: Last Poll Before Playoffs

John Maffei’s Girls Week 7 Union-Tribune Poll

td:nth-child(2) { text-align: left; padding-left: 10px;}
Rank/Prev Team (Record) Points* MaxPreps
Rank/Rating		 Cal-Hi
Sports 35
1/1 Mission Hills (20-8) 60 (6) 16/31.68 15/15
2/2 La Jolla Country Day (22-6) 54 20/30.11 22/22
3/4 Westview (18-10) 41 76/23.19 NR
4/3 Poway (19-8) 39 81/22.51 NR
5/8 Francis Parker (16-9) 35 101/21.15 NR
6T/5T Bonita Vista (14-12) 34 148/18.08 NR
6T/7 Del Norte (18-9) 39 119/19.81 NR
8/5T Rancho Bernardo (19-9) 34 126/17.91 NR
10T/9 Bishop’s (20-7) 6 208/15.13 NR
10T/NR Grossmont (20-8) 6 211/15.93 NR

Others receiving votes:
Cathedral (6).

*First-place votes in parentheses. Points awarded on 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
Max Preps and Cal-Hi Sports are state rankings. NR/Not ranked.

The San Diego Union freelance representative Don Norcross and county-wide coaches participate in the poll.

Records as of Monday, Feb 12.

Notes: Mission Hills +2 (Mx-1), LJCD +1 (Mx+2), Poway +3 (Mx+13),
Westview +3 (Mx+11), BV 2-1,  RB -2, DN 1-3, FP 1-1, SR +1, …



2023-24 Week 7 Girls: Newly Crowned Await Playoffs

Twenty-nine champs and co-champs of 22 leagues prepare for the post-season that begins Tuesday.
Now when ratings based on strength of schedule determine playoff seeds, are league banners just gym rafter eye candy for fans and newbies? Maybe, but players and coaches agree they’re a reminder of the camaraderie and journey to the top that lasts forever.

.gl7 td { text-align: left; padding-left: 10px}
LEAGUE TEAM(S) W-L OVERALL AVERAGE/TOTAL PF-PA*
Avocado Rancho Buena Vista 8-0 17-11 50.4 – 43.0 (1411-1204)
Central Madison 8-0 18-8 40.9 – 36.5 (1064-950)
City Hoover 7-1 16-12 50.2 – 49.5 (1405-1386)
Coastal Torrey Pines
La Costa Canyon		 8-2 15-13
15-13		 51.4 – 46.5 (1439-1302)
54.4 – 47.2 (1522-1322)
Desert Calexico Vincent Memorial 9-0 13-5 53.3 – 36.8 (959-663)
Eastern Mira Mesa 10-0 17-9 47.0 – 40.4 (1221-1051)
Freelance Hilltop 8-0 19-9 47.0 – 34.5 (1317-966)
Grossmont Hills Grossmont
Helix		 8-2 20-7
18-7		 58.7 – 39.7 (1585-1073)
51.4 – 37.6 (1285-941)
Grossmont Valley Steele Canyon
West Hills		 7-1 20-8
19-7		 55.0 – 35.4 (1540-991)
44.6 – 32.6 (1160-848)
Imperial Valley Imperial
Palo Verde Valley		 6-2 16-12
15-10		 42.0 – 34.3 (1176-959)
42.4 – 39.5 (1061-987)
Manzanita Warner 8-0 18-4 39.6 – 23.3 (871-512)
Metro Bonita Vista 6-0 14-12 56.7 – 49.1 (1475-1276)
Ocean Escondido Adventist 8-0 15-5 37.7 – 27.3 (754-546)
Pacific Escondido Charter 10-0 17-11 50.5 – 43.9 (1414-1229)
Palomar Mission Hills 10-0 20-8 65.1 – 44.7 (1822-1251)
Patriot O’Farrell Charter 6-0 16-10 31.9 – 29.3 (829-761)
Pioneer Monarch 6-0 7-12 20.1 – 28.6 (381-543)
Sierra High Tech NC 8-0 14-2 37.7 – 23.0 (603-369)
South Bay Victory Christian
Montgomery		 7-1 19-6
17-11		 51.3 – 39.4 (1282-984)
54.7 – 45.6 (1531-1276)
Summit Horizon Prep
Bayfront Charter		 6-2 13-6
14-11		 35.6 – 25.5 (676-484)
34.6 – 32.5 (866-812)
Valley Fallbrook 10-0 21-7 57.9 – 38.1 (1622-1067)
Western Scripps Ranch
Cathedral		 7-1 17-8
17-11		 60.0 – 46.0 (1500-1150)
55.7 – 51.5 (1559-1442)

* Overall Points For – Points Against (Total PF-PA)



2023-24 Boys Week 7: Hats Off! Champions and Co-Champs of 22 Leagues

What’s in a league championship?

Especially in this era of power ratings and strengths of schedules and what they mean in playoff pairings and postseason division assignments, which were to be announced today.

A league title represents essentially just bragging rights, but ask the players and coaches who achieved it and what they think when banners are hoisted in gymnasium rafters.

All will agree the accomplishment still carries weight and memories that will last.

Twenty-two league champions and four co-champions were officially crowned last night and began preparing for the second season and playoffs that start Tuesday.

td { text-align: left; padding-left: 5px;}
LEAGUE TEAM W-L OVERALL AVERAGE SCORE*
Avocado Vista 7-1 19-9 65.1-56.1
Central Canyon Hills 5-3 18-9 58.0-48.5
La Jolla 5-3 18-10 61.6-54.8
City Christian 8-2 18.7 55.9-48.5
Mira Mesa 8-2 18-9 68.3-57.6
Coastal La Jolla Country Day 11-1 22-5 60.3-48.8
Santa Fe Christian 11-1 20-8 59.3-51.4
Coastal North Carlsbad 10-0 26-2 74.3-59.0
Desert Calipatria 9-0 19-3 56.3-40.2
Eastern University City 7-1 20-8 62.6-56.7
Grossmont Hills Monte Vista 9-1 20-8 65.3-50.2
Grossmont Valley Steele Canyon 8-0 15-13 58.3-57.7
Imperial Valley Calexico Vincent Memorial 6-2 17-7 61.3-53.6
Imperial 6-2 13-15 56.0-59.0
Manzanita Warner 8-2 16-12 43.9-37.5
Julian 8-2 14-9 43.7-42.8
Metropolitan Mesa Montgomery 8-0 26-2 70.1-41.2
Metropolitan South Bay Victory Christian 6-0 18-9 70.8-60.4
Ocean Tri-City 12-0 18-10 64.1-46.5
Pacific St. Joseph 9-1 18-9 61.6-55.1
Palomar Mission Hills 9-12 21-7 61.4-51.2
Patriot High Tech Mesa 7-1 9-17 39.0-54.2
Pioneer Monarch 8-2 16-8 48.9-39.5
Sierra The Cambridge 8-0 18-2 53.6-36.6
Summit High Tech Chula Vista 8-0 21-4 74.3-47.7
Valley Mt. Carmel 9-1 16-12 62.8-59.5
Western St. Augustine 8-0 24-4 73.0-56.0

*All Games.