CCS ranking for D4 at this stage is probably (consistent with prep2prep.com) - and one of these three teams should win CCS D4 playoffs and believe two of these would move to norcal. All three probably compete with the top NCS and SJS D4 teams in norcal playoff and maybe even favored. The below 3 would compete with the WCAL teams mentioned above if in D4 CCS playoff this year. Overall records somewhat based on schedules, but not any weaker than NCS teams in same division. These teams have a chance to do some damage in the norcals.
Half Moon Bay (undefeated)
Half Moon Bay is a well coached team and they have some length on the front line this year. I have always been impressed with their passing and defense. The defeated St Partick St Vincent which has kind of had a down turn as of the last couple games. This team hasn't been tested yet by playing a stronger program so maybe they should be #2 or #3, but they are a well coached team and they can be a matchup problem for some very good D4 schools.
Sacred Heart Prep
Sacred Heart Prep like half Moon Bay has great coaching. I think at this stage ranking them behind HMB in D4 is probably right. The schedules may have a little to do with their records, but both can compete pretty far into D4. SHP defeated Bellarmine (although middle of the pack WCAL this year) and lost to #2 WCAL Serra by 12. They dominated Justin Sienna which doesn't say much as a comparable to other NCS top D4 teams.
Palma (17-3)
Palma ranked #3 at this stage (17-3) is very good. They will be at another level next season due to them being young, but also talented t this stage and getting better as the season progresses. The New Head Coach (an assistant before) has them playing very good defense and the offense distributes the ball well. They have both an inside game and hot shooters from the perimeter. Top players are junior Wyatt Maker Jr, 6-8 and growing (his 6-11 father played on the NCAA champion Villanova team that defeated Patrick Ewing's Georgetown team). His younger brother a 6-4 frosh Garret Maker also plays on the team but a backup and will be an elite player. Palma also has a very talented soph scorer Jamaree Bouyea, and a junior sharp shooter junior that is 5-5 tall, but buries the 3 pointers. They have a 4 year senior starter Jack Burlison (who's father was a college player) that is an extremely good defender and sound experienced and athletic and quick seniors. I wouldn't call them an elite team, but they can be dangerous and have depth on the bench. Early in the season they lost a relatively close game to St Mary's Stockton and seemed to have had an off game against Santa Cruz (which lost to an Aptos team Palma defeated by 35 pts, and Santa Cruz also only lost to Jesuit SJS by 5). Palma defeated Aptos by 35 and Aptos is in first place in the SCCAL. They also lost to St Francis-Mountain View (leads the WCAL) by 9, but the game was only a 3 point difference with 3 minutes left in the game. I'm hestitant to move Palma to #2 in CCS D4 due to the past couple years in meting Sacred Heart prep in the playoffs away at SHP's home court (Palma never seems to be able to shoot well there but this team is different - has a different offensive approach). Palma is going to be even better next year and I think they have a shot at winning CCS D4. Palma wins tonight and they clinch at least share of their league and good shot at going undefeated until playoffs.
This post was edited on 2/6 12:23 PM by NorCalSportsFan
This post was edited on 2/6 12:26 PM by NorCalSportsFan
This post was edited on 2/6 12:28 PM by NorCalSportsFan
This post was edited on 2/6 12:32 PM by NorCalSportsFan
This post was edited on 2/6 12:36 PM by NorCalSportsFan
This post was edited on 2/6 12:40 PM by NorCalSportsFan
