2023-24 Boys Week 6: The Playoffs Are Coming! The Playoffs Are Coming!

It’s wrap-up  week in the San Diego Section, as the regular season ends Friday, Southern California postseason pairings are posted Saturday, and the second season starts with regional playoffs next week.

Carlsbad, Montgomery, St. Augustine, and Torrey Pines remained 1 through 4 in the weekly Union-Tribune poll, and there was no change from last week’s 5 through 9.

Carlsbad and Montgomery each could finish with 26-2 records,  although The Aztecs likely will be the No. 1 seed in the Open Division off their 63-55 win over  Carlsbad early in the season

Carlsbad, averaging 74.3 points game and 11-1 all-time against Sage Creek (14-12), will attempt to repeat its earlier, 84-55 victory over the Bobcats tonight and will finish against 14-12 El Camino, which earlier gave the Lancers an argument before bowing, 58-54.

Montgomery has Mater Dei (15-11) and San Ysidro (6-20) on its plate after shocking Torrey Pines in a head scratcher, 44-19. The Aztecs alternately used  2-3 and 3-2 zone defenses against the Falcons, who trailed, 9-2, after one quarter and 25-5 at the half. Falcons coach John Olive reportedly was seen talking to himself as the Falcons boarded their bus for the ride to Del Mar from Mission Bay and the Battle of the Bay event.

St. Augustine (22-4) faces a troublesome Mission Bay (17-10) and closes against San Diego (8-18). The Saints beat Mission Bay, 80-62, and San Diego, 70-42, in January. Torrey Pines (19-7) has a rematch of a 73-44 win over El Camino and ends with No. 7 La Costa Canyon (18-6), which extended the Falcons to overtime before bowing in an earlier Coastal League North game, 67-65.

John Maffei’s weekly Union-Tribune poll.

# TEAM RECORD POINTS PREVIOUS MAX-PREPS CAL-HI SPORTS
1 Carlsbad 24-2 (9) 152 1 8/9 15/15
2 Montgomery 23-2 (8) 150 2 17/20 21/21
3 St. Augustine 22-4 138 3 21/21 20/20
4 Torrey Pines 19-7 108 4 40/37 30/30
5 La Jolla Country Day 21-5 104 5 59/58 NR/NR
6 La Costa Canyon 18-6 81 7 58/65 NR/NR
7 Mission Hills 20-6 71 8 76/80 NR/NR
8 Santa Fe Christian 18-7 57 6 98/88 NR/NR
9 Cathedral 17-8 21 9 106/102 NR/NR
10 Rancho Buena Vista 18-9 12 NR 133/126 NR/NR

Others receiving votes
Mission Bay (17-10, 10 points), San Diego Southwest (24-2, 8), San Marcos (20-6, 3), Victory Christian (16-8, 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 Silva, scorebooklive.com
  • Braden Suprenant 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 Boys Week 5: Lancers’ Week Included 3 Big Wins

Carlsbad cemented its hold on No. 1 in the Union-Tribune poll with victories of 62-54 over No. 4 Torrey Pines, 70-66 over Valencia West Ranch, and 78-57 over No. 7 La Costa Canyon.

Montgomery stayed at No. 2, with no-sweat 60-27 and 88-31 dominations of Otay Ranch and San Ysidro.

No. 3 St. Augustine took care of Steele Canyon, 72-43, and Madison, 64-26, and then lost to San Juan Capistrano JSerra, Cal-Hi Sports’ state No. 10 team, 54-48, in the Nike Classic at Santa Ana Mater Dei.  Sophomore Jaden Bailes scored 17 points for the Saints.

John Maffei’s weekly Union-Tribune poll.

# TEAM RECORD POINTS PREVIOUS MAX-PREPS CAL-HI SPORTS
1 Carlsbad 22-2 (12) 165 1 9/9 15/15
2 Montgomery 21-2 (5) 156 2 20/18 19/21
3 St. Augustine 21-4 138 3 21/16 20/22
4 Torrey Pines 17-6 116 4 37/41 30/30
5 La Jolla Country Day 17-6 99 6 58/57 NR/NR
6 Santa Fe Christian 16-7 76 5 88/77 NR/NR
7 La Costa Canyon 16-5 70 8 65/72 NR/NR
8 Mission Hills 18-6 56 9 80/128 NR/NR
9 Cathedral 16-7 30 7 102/104 NR/NR
10 Mission Bay 15-9 12 9 126/93 NR/NR

Others receiving votes
San Marcos (18-5, 6 points), Rancho Buena Vista (18-6, 6), San Diego Southwest (22-2, 3), University City (17-7,1).

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, Jan. 29.

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 Silva, scorebooklive.com
  • Braden Suprenant 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 5: Grizzlies, Torreys Continue to Hold Sway

No. 1 Mission Hills and No. 2 La Jolla Country Day maintained their front-runner pace, and Poway moved up to No. 3 with wins over San Marcos , 58-43, and a come-from-behind, 42-40 squeaker over former No. 3 Del Norte.

As proof of the Lady Grizzlies’ dominance, their average wins are by 19 points (62-43), although Westview offered some resistance before bowing, 66-52, after Del Norte was routed, 76-28, last week.

In eight local games,  Mission Hills’ average advantage is 71-36, with two foes held to 20 points or less. The Grizzlies’ MaxPreps‘ state ranking rose to 19 from 23, while the Lady Torreys lifted to 23 from 24 after a 85-20 win against Classical.

Oddly, Francis Parker is  No. 8 in the San Diego Section, although state-ranked 83, right behind Poway’s 81.

John Maffei’s Girls Week 5 Union-Tribune Poll

Rank/Prev Team (Record) Points † MaxPreps
Rank/Rating		 Cal-Hi
Sports 35
1/1 Mission Hills (16-8) 59 (6) 19/29.80 15
2/2 La Jolla Country Day (17-6) 54 (1) 23/28.75 22
3/5 Poway (16-6) 40 81/21.75 NR
4/3 Del Norte (17-6) 39 91/20.83 NR
5/4 Westview (13-10) 34 108/19.99 NR
6/7 Bonita Vista (10-11) 32 157/17.00 NR
7/6 Rancho Bernardo (18-6) 25 133/18.44 NR
8/8 Francis Parker (14-7) 20 83/21.65 NR
9/9 Cathedral (12-10) 9 225/13.94 NR
10/10 Scripps Ranch (15-5) 7 212/14.34 NR

Others receiving votes:
Grossmont (5), Victory Christian (2), Bishop’s (2).

† 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, Jan. 29.



2023-24 Girls Week 4: Grizzlies, Torreys Bruised But Upright

No. 1 Mission Hills trampled San Marcos, 72-18, but was rocked by state top 10 Santa Ana Mater Dei, 56-37, and was 2-2 in the week.

No. 2 La Jolla Country Day had three local wins and a loss to Sacramento McClatchy, 63-60.

The top eight spots remained intact in the Union-Tribune poll, although only Del Norte, 54-37 over Rancho Bernardo and 49-46 over Westview, and Francis Parker,  72-58 over La Costa Canyon, 61-24 over Pacific Ridge, and 52-46 over Anaheim Canyon in the Public versus Private event at Parker, got through the week unscathed

Del Norte gets a shot at Mission Hills Wednesday night, Jan. 24, when the Nighthawks visit the Grizzlies.

John Maffei’s Girls Week 4 Union-Tribune Poll

Rank Team (Record) Points † MaxPreps
Rank/Rating		 Cal-Hi
Sports 35
1 Mission Hills (14-8) 69 (6) 23/28.41 15
2 La Jolla Country Day (17-6) 64 (1) 24/28.39 24
3 Del Norte (17-4) 49 76/21.82 Bubble
4 Westview (12-9) 40 112/19.16 NR
5 Poway (14-6) 39 94/20.38 NR
6 Rancho Bernardo (17-5) 29 126/18.71 NR
7 Bonita Vista (8-11) 37 180/15.54 NR
8 Francis Parker (12-7) 19 88/20.90 NR
9 Cathedral (11-8) 10 206/14.34 NR
10 Grossmont (15-5) 7 186/15.32 NR

Others receiving votes:
Carlsbad (5), Scripps Ranch (5), Bishop’s (3), Victory Christian (2), Oceanside (2).

† 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 Tuesday , Jan. 23.



2023-24 Boys Week 4: Carlsbad, Montgomery 1-2 in Votes

John Maffei’s weekly Union-Tribune poll.

# TEAM RECORD POINTS PREVIOUS MAX-PREPS CAL-HI SPORTS
1 Carlsbad 19-2 (11) 164 1 9/7 15/13
2 Montgomery 19-2 (6) 156 2 18/15 21/21
3 St. Augustine 19-3 139 3 16/14 22/22
4 Torrey Pines 16-5 119 4 41/44 29/30
5 Santa Fe Christian 15-6 92 5 77/75 NR/NR
6 La Jolla Country Day 16-5 81 6 57/64 NR/NR
7 Cathedral 15-6 52 7 104/115 NR/NR
8 La Costa Canyon 13-5 51 8 72/77 NR/NR
9 Mission Hills 16-6 36 10 128/136 NR/NR
10 Mission Bay 14-8 20 9 93/95 NR/NR

Others receiving votes
Olympian (20-0, 19 points), San Marcos (16-5, 4), Rancho Buena Vista (16-6, 2), San Diego Southwest (20-2, 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, Jan. 22.

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.
  • Braden Suprenant 97.3 FM The Fan.
  • Bodie DeSilva, scoreboardlive.com.
  • Steve (Biff) Dolan, Mountain Country 107.9 FM.
  • Joe Evangelist, San Diego Coaching Legends Committee.
  • Christian Pedersen, San Diego Sports Association.
  • Todd Cassen, Ron Marquez, CIF San Diego Section.
  • Rex Johnson, CIF Advisory Committee.


2023-24 Boys Week 3: Status Quo Prevails 1 Through 9

The top nine positions lingered, with only Mission Hills, on a 10-game win streak, displacing San Marcos at No. 10.  Olympian, the only undefeated team at 20-0, and Mission Bay with three more wins, stayed where they were.

John Maffei’s The San Diego Union-Tribune poll.

# TEAM RECORD POINTS PREVIOUS MAX-PREPS CAL-HI SPORTS
1 Carlsbad 17-2 (11) 164 1 7/8 13/13
2 Montgomery 18-2 (6) 154 2 15/16 21/21
3 St. Augustine 17-3 139 3 14/17 22/22
4 Torrey Pines 14-5 119 4 44/43 30/31
5 Santa Fe Christian 14-6 104 5 75/75 NR/NR
6 La Jolla Country Day 14-5 82 6 64/63 NR/NR
7 Cathedral 14-6 42 7 115/101 NR/NR
8 La Costa Canyon 12-4 39 8 77/82 NR/NR
9 Mission Bay 13-7 26 9 136/157 NR/NR
10 Mission Hills 14-6 22 NR 95/211 NR/NR

Others receiving votes

San Marcos (15-4, 20 points), Olympian (20-0, 19). San Diego Southwest (18-2, 2),  Hoover (13-7, 1), Rancho Buena Vista (14-6, 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, Jan. 15.

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.
  • Braden Suprenant 97.3 FM The Fan.
  • Bodie DeSilva, scoreboardlive.com.
  • Steve (Biff) Dolan, Mountain Country 107.9 FM.
  • Joe Evangelist, San Diego Coaching Legends Committee.
  • Christian Pedersen, San Diego Sports Association.
  • Todd Cassen, Ron Marquez, CIF San Diego Section.
  • Rex Johnson, CIF Advisory Committee.