Which David Will Play Which Goliath? A CIF Division 5 Semifinals Preview
Over the years of the Open Division era, Division 5 has typically become a battle between two types of programs: the small, upstart private school against the large public school whose program has fallen on hard times.
This year, the 12-team bracket couldn't have broken down more symmetrically, as on one side you have two smaller schools - one private and one a public charter school - and on the other, two large public schools whose programs are looking to move up from the bottom.
Which programs will advance to Thursday's championship game at Mater Dei Catholic? Let's examine the matchups.
(1) Pacific Ridge (26-2) vs (5) O'Farrell Charter (19-10), 7 p.m. Feb . 25
How Pacific Ridge Got Here:
The Firebirds are in the midst of one of the best seasons in the program's 15-year history, winning 26 games -- the most ever and the highest total since the Scott Nalbandian-led Firebirds won the Division 4 championship in 2015.
They've only lost two games all year -- one of those losses at the hands of the Falcons, who are playing their best basketball of the season down the stretch.
Pacific Ridge is led by its triumvirate of sophomore guards, the most prolific of which is 6-0 Gavin Fletcher, who has been a constant on the offensive end with his timely scoring, dynamic playmaking and uncanny finishing ability. 5-8 PG Alex Besio is a bulldog who can score it and dish it off of straight line drives, and 6-1 Lucas Rubino is the wild card. When he's on, they are a tough out. 6-7 C Max Leong has really come a long way this season and gives the Firebirds a post that you have to respect and can step out and hit midrange jump shots.
The Firebirds got tested in their first playoff game, coming back from 10 points down in the fourth quarter to escape with a 64-58 overtime win over Santana.
How O'Farrell Charter Got Here:
On the other side of the ledger, the aforementioned Falcons have blitzed their first two playoff opponents by an average of 27 points - a 62-37 win over Holtville and an impressive 58-31 dismantling of Sweetwater, in a game which the Falcons trailed 18-8 after the first quarter, but responded with a 26-0 run to take control.
They finished second place in an underrated Summit League this year, losing to the champions, High Tech High Chula Vista, by a combined four points in two contests.
O'Farrell has been led all season by 6-2 senior Sador Rusom, a long, lanky wing who serves as the team's de facto four man, but can score it from each level and keys the team's defensive attack. Junior guard AJ Villanueva and sophomore guard Dakobi Coleman are feisty defenders and opportunistic scorers, and 6-2 junior Marcelo Cardenas is a big-bodied sharpshooter who plays with an edge. In the middle, 6-4 Carlos Alvarado rebounds and has solid touch from 15-feet and in, and provides the physicality you would expect from a standout football player.
Prediction
In their first matchup, the Falcons defense was able to stymie the Firebirds guard-led offense en route to a 52-45 win. The Firebirds might have been dealing with some complacency, as they had wrapped up their league title in runaway fashion and had traveled down south to notch wins over Sweetwater and Division 4 two seed Crawford and might've overlooked the Falcons. I don't think they will do that this time, and with the game on their home court, they will come out focused and advance to the D5 championship game.
Pacific Ridge 60, O'Farrell 54
(3) Chula Vista (22-6) vs (7) Escondido, 7 p.m., Feb. 25
How Chula Vista Got Here:
The Spartans are having their best season in 15 years (their last winning record came back in the 2007-08 season), winning the Metro Pacific League over Sweetwater and bringing excitement back to Spartan Gym (which has a fabulous new floor). The resurgence is in large part due to the play of their senior duo of Gio Contreras and Elijah Gillespie. Contreras, the Metro Pacific League player of the year, is one of the top shooters in the South Bay, and can knock down shots with deep range off the catch and off the screen and roll. The lefty Gillespie, a three-sport star, scores it off the bounce and can stretch the floor out to the college three to boot. It has been tough for schools west of the 805 in the South Bay, as population and demograhic shifts have pummeled many basketball programs, so the Spartans' Renaissance under second-year coach Dre Phillips has been a positive development.
How Escondido Got Here:
After being one of the dominant hoops programs throughout most of the 2000s under PJ Baldwin, the Cougars have fallen on hard times over the past seven seasons, falling from the Division 1 to D5 ranks in the process. This year, however, the program has a pulse, notching their first winning record since the 2019-20 season. The Cougars have one of the most underrated 2027 players in San Diego in 6-5 (and growing) Maddox Mendoza, who has been a revelation, averaging 15.4 points and nearly 6 rebounds per game. The team cooled off during Valley League play, only winning twice, but as the only D5 team in the league, you could argue that the reps against D3 and D4 competition has prepared them for this moment, as they were able to upset the No. 2 seed, High Tech Mesa, a 53-51 overtime road win. And now, they face a Spartans team that they beat pretty handily on Jan. 3, 66-44.
Prediction
Chula Vista has been one of the feel-good stories during the San Diego basketball season, and they will have an opportunity to advance to a championship game by winning on their own home floor. But Escondido, with the size advantage in the middle and seniors Nathan James and Danny Valadez, are favored.
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