CIF Southern Section Open Division boys basketball watchlist: 11 teams for 8 spots

Here is a prediction of what the CIF Southern Section Open Division playoffs could look like in February

No more holiday tournaments. It's time for league play in boys basketball.

There are enticing matchups in the Trinity, Baseline, Mission, Big VIII and Del Rey Leagues that could impact the CIF Southern Section Open Division playoff selection.

The field is comprised of eight, hand-picked teams and is known to be one of the toughest playoff fields in high school hoops. Corona Centennial won the Open Divisions section championship last year, led by Jared McCain (now at Duke).

As we head into 2024, there are 11 quality teams vying for those eight spots with a few programs on the outside looking in. 

Here is Tarek Fattal/SBLive's Open Division watchlist with analysis as it pertains to the landscape of the Open Division from a league perspective.

OPEN WATCHLIST FIELD

The Mission League is one of the best leagues in the section - some could argue California. The Mission League has berthed three teams into the Open the last two seasons. 

• Harvard-Westlake (15-1)
• Notre Dame (15-0)
• Sierra Canyon (14-1)

The Trinity League is good for two teams, and this year, could earn a third. However, last year, the league only got one team (St. John Bosco) into the Open.

• St. John Bosco (13-2)
• Mater Dei (14-1)
• JSerra (15-1)

Top 25 CIF Southern Section rankings (12/31/2023)

We will see another Big VIII team in the Open, and we could see two. But Centennial already has seven losses, albeit from a very difficult schedule.

• Eastvale Roosevelt (16-1)
• Corona Centennial (12-7)

The Baseline League has also contributed teams to the Open in the past (Etiwanda and Damien). However, Damien seems to be a safe Open watchlist pick this year. Etiwanda is on the outside looking in, but has games on its schedule that might force the Eagles into the conversation, like Damien (twice), West Ranch and Windward.

• Damien (13-3)
• Etiwanda (14-1)

The Del Rey League had two Open teams last year with St. Bernard and Bishop Montgomery, however, the emergence of St. Pius will make league play in the Del Rey very interesting. St. Pius won the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas, but lost two games in the Gold Division at the Classic at Damien.

Roosevelt's Issac Williamson anchors win over St. John Bosco in Classic at Damien Platinum final

It puts more pressure on the Warriors to win the Del Rey League in convincing fashion.

• St. Pius (10-3)

FROM WAY DOWNTOWN

It's a far stretch, but Windward (13-3) has a chance to create Open Division buzz for itself after going 13-3 to start the season, including a 3-1 performance in the Classic at Damien Platinum Division.

The must-win game for the Wildcats will be against Etiwanda on Jan. 13 ... and victory will only keep them in the conversation. 

Windward will need to be perfect in the Gold Coast League, beating Crossroads, Campbell Hall, Brentwood; and, hope that the teams listed above fallout due to poor performances in league play.

Teams like Crespi (17-2) and Santa Margarita (13-4) are not necessarily Open Division-quality teams, however, because of the leagues they play in - the Mission and Trinity League, respectively - huge wins over multiple teams listed above would create chaos for the Open Division committee.

That said, it's very unlikely. But worth a mention.

FINAL PREDICTIONS

• The Mission League will not have three teams in the Open. The third-place finisher will go to Division 1.
• The Trinity League will have three teams in the Open.
• Roosevelt and Corona Centennial get in. Centennial will have a lot of losses, but has played a very difficult schedule. The committee will take that into account.
• The final spot will come down to St. Pius and Damien. League play will be huge for those teams.

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