Sac-Joaquin Section (SJS) Predictions to CIF NorCal

[cptmycpa]

The SJS has NO Open Division at the SJS level. For the SJS, twenty-three (23) schools will advance to the CIF NorCal level. At the SJS level to advance to the CIF NorCal level a school must be a finalist or semi-finalist in each division for D1-D5, be the two finalists for D6, plus one at-large berth to the highest ranking MaxPreps team not making the semi-finals (2nd round of 8 loser). FOR FUN, here are my predictions using 2-3-2023 MaxPreps data and current league standings:

Division 1:
Predict #1 seed, Folsom - finalist
Predict #2 seed, St. Mary's - finalist or semifinalist
Predict #3 seed, Antelope - finalist or semifinalist
Predict #4 seed, McClatchy - semifinalist or at large berth (due to highest MaxPreps ranking)
Predict #5 seed, Oak Ridge - semifinalist or possible at large berth (due to MaxPreps ranking)
Note: in 2nd round of 8 or quarterfinals, #5 seed plays at #4 seed

Division 2:
Predict #1 seed, Christian Brothers (1st in league) - finalist winner
Predict #2 seed, St. Francis (1st in league) - finalist or semifinalist
Predict #3 seed, Vista del Lago - finalist or semifinalist
Predict #4 seed, Woodcreek - semifinalist or out (#4 hosts #5 in 2nd round)
Predict #5 seed, Ponderosa, El Capitan, or Whitney - semifinalist or out
Note: If St. Francis and D1 Oak Ridge both don't reach the semifinals round, St. Francis would get the at large berth due to a higher MaxPreps ranking over Oak Ridge, if it stays like that.

Division 3:
Predict #1 seed, Vanden - finalist winner
Predict #2 seed, Kimball (Tracy) - finalist or semifinalist
Predict #3 seed, Lincoln (Lincoln) - finalist or semifinalist
Predict #4 seed, East Union (Manteca) - semifinalist

Division 4:
Predict #1 seed, Colfax - finalist winner
Predict #2 seed, Calaveras - finalist or semifinalist
Predict #3 seed, Hughson (1st in league) - finalist or semifinalist
Predict #4 seed, Liberty Ranch - semifinalist or out (#4 hosts #5 in 2nd round)
Predict #5 seed, Marysville or Riverbank - semifinalist or out


At the CIF NorCal level, due to competitive equity, of speculation would be the following:
1) what SJS team(s) will be placed in the OPEN division
2) if Christian Brothers wins the SJS D2, will its stay in D2 (last season did not make NorCals)
3) if Vanden wins the SJS D3, will it be placed in D2 or D1 (last season placed in D1)
4) if Colfax wins the SJS D4, will it be placed in D3 (last season stayed in D4)

 

[Ncalcat]

Just a thought having watched about all of the D2 teams at one point or another, Woodcreek is flying under the radar based on strength of schedule. Not saying they are a lock, but on a good day I think they could get any of the teams ahead of them. Small but deep team that defends really hard. Beat Pondo by 20+ and only losses are to Antelope twice, Pleasant Valley and Chico by 1 in OT.

 

[cptmycpa]

For D1 it's also possible that Gregori of Modesto can get the #5 seed ahead of Oak Ridge, due to being 1st in their league. The SJS likes to reward league champions. But if Oak Ridge beats Folsom this Friday, then Gregori will be seeded lower than #5.

 

[salgovernaleisaturtle]

Division 2:
Predict #1 seed, Christian Brothers (1st in league) - finalist winner
Predict #2 seed, St. Francis (1st in league) - finalist or semifinalist
Predict #3 seed, Vista del Lago - finalist or semifinalist
Predict #4 seed, Woodcreek - semifinalist or out (#4 hosts #5 in 2nd round)
Predict #5 seed, Ponderosa, El Capitan, or Whitney - semifinalist or out
Note: If St. Francis and D1 Oak Ridge both don't reach the semifinals round, St. Francis would get the at large berth due to a higher MaxPreps ranking over Oak Ridge, if it stays like that.

St. Francis will be D1 as Delta League winner.

Cosumnes Oaks will likely be a top 6 D2 seed as Delta league 2nd place with a high SOS. Max Preps ranked 6 in D2. They have a case to be over Pondo and Woodcreek.

 

[Ncalcat]

St. Francis will be D1 as Delta League winner.

Cosumnes Oaks will likely be a top 6 D2 seed as Delta league 2nd place with a high SOS. Max Preps ranked 6 in D2. They have a case to be over Pondo and Woodcreek.

Not sure what the case would be, don't see a lot of quality wins on the schedule. Lost to Lincoln who Pondo beat.

 

[salgovernaleisaturtle]

the case is they have a similar resume... no strong wins... but i guess there are some bad losses for CO. NM

 

[cptmycpa]

St. Francis will be D1 as Delta League winner.

Cosumnes Oaks will likely be a top 6 D2 seed as Delta league 2nd place with a high SOS. Max Preps ranked 6 in D2. They have a case to be over Pondo and Woodcreek.

Thank you for the clarification about St. Francis being in a D1 designated league. I made the mistake of only looking at what they are designated on MaxPreps and also using the SJS 2022-23 Enrollment chart. Both has St. Francis and Cosumnes Oaks as D2. But you are correct, under bullet #8, Divisional Placement, it states: "8. A league champion (outright or is the No. 1 seed by criteria) must play at or above the level of its league competition." In the Delta League, 4 of the 7 schools are D1 enrollment.

So question: St. Francis being D1, a League Champion, and currently a higher MaxPreps ranking than Oak Ridge, that may put them as a #5 seed in D1 ahead of Oak Ridge, assuming Folsom beats Oak Ridge this Friday.