How will WCAL teams fare in CIF NORCAL?

[Rmbr26]

6 WCAL teams in action in Playoffs: Serra, SF, Mitty, Bells, Riordan & SHC

Open Division:
SF 22-5 vs BOD 24-4
Serra 23-5 vs Moreau Catholic 23-6

St.,Francis seeded #8 draws the unenviable task of having to play the consensus favorite Bishop O'Dowd. I think the game will be competitive, however BOD will have too much talent for the Lancers to overcome. BOD +10 [60-50]

Serra vs MC looks to be a really good game & should be entertaining. Can MC pull away from the Padres or can Serra keep it close in another nail-biter like the Open win over SF? Serra has played their best the last few games & could be in for a let-down, but I think they'll be up for this one. Serra +4 [56-52]

Division 1:
Bells 17-10 vs Freedom 18-10

On paper looks to be a close game with Bells biggest win coming over SF while Freedom had a narrow 2-point loss to MV.
Freedom may be more than the Bells who tied for 4th in WCAL can handle. Freedom +8 [62-54]

Division II:
Mitty has first round bye.

Division III:
Riordan 17-10 vs Albany 28-2
SHC 16-11 vs Vanden 24-6

Riordan should get by the 28-2 Albany team despite the disparity in records. Riordan has beaten SF, Mitty, Bells & SHC while Albany has lost to the only 2 quality teams on its schedule. The difference will be Riordan's D. Riordan +8 [52-44]

SHC beat Vanden early in the season by 65-57 which may or may not be relavant at this point. SHC has had the tougher schedule and has quality wins over Serra, Bells & Riordan while Vanden's 6 losses were all to the 6 quality teams it faced this season [so not a clutch team so to speak]. Odds are against Vanden as SHP repeats the win. SHC +3 [57-54]

 

[iamgearyblvd]

I think Mitty will be the only team to make it to the Nor Cal finals. St. Francis gets the "hey great season, now go play O'Dowd" thumb to the nose. Serra will lose to Moreau but they'll make it tough. Riordan, SH, and Bellarmine will likely lose in their 2nd round games. Mitty will probably lose to Sacramento in the finals. Kone vs Young will be a great matchup.

 

[FUBO]

Albany has only lost to the number 1 and 2 seeds in the Norcal D3 bracket. Have you seen who their coach is?

 

[Defender4212]

Bill Tressler is the Albany Coach. Veteran guy, who knows his stuff. No accident they have gotten better as he has a young core that grew up together. If they had ANY size they would be TROUBLE!

 

[Rmbr26]

Originally posted by FUBO:
Albany has only lost to the number 1 and 2 seeds in the Norcal D3 bracket. Have you seen who their coach is?

Both the last 2 previous posts were accurate in that Albany lost to the 2 good teams on its schedule both by double digit losses to Campo & Drake & that Albany is not a big team physically [center is 6'5 and then 6'3 or smaller]. The rest of its 28-2 record were against fairly weak teams and nothing like the schedule Riordan had comparatively. Edge to Riordan.

 

[Rmbr26]

Originally posted by iamgearyblvd:
I think Mitty will be the only team to make it to the Nor Cal finals. St. Francis gets the "hey great season, now go play O'Dowd" thumb to the nose. Serra will lose to Moreau but they'll make it tough. Riordan, SH, and Bellarmine will likely lose in their 2nd round games. Mitty will probably lose to Sacramento in the finals. Kone vs Young will be a great matchup.

Geary - I agree that of the first round games the Serra-Moreau game is the toughest to call. I'm not sure why some fans would
assume Serra is the underdog in this one & wonder what they're basing it on?

 

[Bumpy Johnson]

Open:
Everybody expects BOD will roll over SF but SF can play and won't be intimidated. Motil's a pretty good coach and if he can find BOD's achilles heel, this could be quite the surprise.

MC better be prepared. Rapp's teams are rough and tumble and depending on the officiating crew, this could be a shock to the system for MC. Their saving grace here, is they are home. I still think Serra messes up the mix though.


D1:
Freedom has been fortunate and gets a reprieve but Bellarmine is battle tested in the WCAL while Freedom's league was cotton candy and they aren't that good. Should be a good game with the better coached team winning out. Either way it ends with Woodcreek in the next round.


D2:
Mitty and Sac. Sac and Mitty. That's really all that's left here. See a movie or go shopping the first rounds and come back for the final.


D3:
28 wins is 28 wins. There's got to be a few decent teams in there. Riordan is up and down. If they're up, they move on. If they're down, 29 wins is 29 wins.

The same scenario applies here for SHC. They're league battles might get them over the hump here.

 

[iamgearyblvd]

@Rmbr , I think generally they would be considered underdog because they havent had that "IT" player that can take over games. Maybe the closest was Caruso, but in most recent years their makeup of the team is like this years. Killingsworth would be considered their "IT" player but I dont think other teams at this stage of the season are shaking in their boots. Serra will try to make it tough on Milstead and Frayer, but in the end they should beat Serra probably by 5 points.

 

[colhenrylives]

It's the same, old song. Serra does not have a DI talent. Serra is boring. Serra benefits from a home court advantage. Rapp is outrageous. On and on. People, they win with defense and shot selection. Offense is not, repeat not, their hallmark. Defense is. They want to limit possessions, force turnovers, rebound like big dogs, make their FTs and win with toughness and focus. If they beat Moreau, it won't be pretty. Don't expect a lot of TV highlights. They are going to hate this matchup in Hayward.

 

[PAL95]

If I am Serra, out of the 7 other teams in the open Moreau would be the team I would want to play in the first round. Moreau will be the quickest and bounciest team Serra has faced this season. If Serra can't handle their press it could be a long night and get ugly like it did when they went to Sheldon 2 years ago. Sheldon had the same type of athletes that gave them problems. If Serra does break the press and uses the shot clock it could come down to playmakers stepping up in the end. Trevor Brown has to stay out of foul trouble because they are a different team without him in the lineup. He is undersized down low, but is very crafty and is a great finisher even over players taller than him. Moreau better try and take Wohrer out the game because he can flat out shoot the ball from anywhere and has been most of the offense for Serra. Killingsworth will probably be guarded by Frayer and that should be a great matchup. I give the edge to Serra coaching wise believe it or not. ( for the sensitive Serra posters) On the flipside Serra will have to deal with an offense by committee in Moreau. Frayer has improved his jumpshot and we know what he can do attacking the glass. Someone has to put a body on him or a big time dunk can get the crowd going as well as momentum. Terrel Brown is a lightning quick guard that is also explosive and can throw it down as well as attack the basket, and is great in transition. Brandon Lawrence can do a little bit of everything and is a good shooter who can get baskets in a hurry if needed and last but not least Milstead. He's a physical point guard that can get to the basket at will and has a nice handle. He can take over a game if needed. Serra has not faced a PG of his caliber this year. All in all I give the edge to Moreau being it's at their place where they are 11-1. The game is back and forth the first 3 quarters ,but too much depth wears Serra down in the fourth and Moreau pulls away. Moreau 68 Serra 61

 

[SHgradSIdad]

@Pal95, keep in mind Sheldon's press had 4 D1 players all 6'5 or taller. Moreau's tallest player is 6'6 and everyone else is in the 5'11-6'1 range. They are quick but do not pose the same issues as the length and quickness of Sheldon.

I believe Serra will be ready and play them tough. MC hasn't faced a team like Serra either, I predict a Serra W 51-49

 

[PAL95]

Moreau has 4 D1 players also on that squad. Milstead is one of the top pgs in the country for his class, Frayer is a pac 12 commit, Lawrence is also getting D1 looks. Im not saying this squad is as good as Sheldon was, but they have the similar athletes. Serra will have their hands full. To say they havent seen a team like Serra is funny because they played Mitty and beat them and look at who they just lost to by 9 points. BOD. They played a tougher non league schedule than Serra with top tier competition in the Max Preps tourney.

 

[Rmbr26]

2 good & different perspectives from PAL95 & SHGradSIdad as to how the game may go down. I'll have to look up & see which if any games are available through PlayOn Sports Network as I wouldn;t mind paying to see the Serra-MC game.

 

[SHgradSIdad]

Originally posted by PAL95:
Moreau has 4 D1 players also on that squad. Milstead is one of the top pgs in the country for his class, Frayer is a pac 12 commit, Lawrence is also getting D1 looks. Im not saying this squad is as good as Sheldon was, but they have the similar athletes. Serra will have their hands full. To say they havent seen a team like Serra is funny because they played Mitty and beat them and look at who they just lost to by 9 points. BOD. They played a tougher non league schedule than Serra with top tier competition in the Max Preps tourney.

They have Frayer and the rest are all good athletes and good basketball players but to say they have 4 legit D1 guys, we will have to wait and see. I wasn't overly impressed with any player other than Frayer when I saw them play. What I remember about Milstead is he is more of a slasher and not a great shooter, I believe Serra can take that away from him.

When I said they haven't seen a team like Serra , it is accurate as they have not seen a team who plays defense like them and executes on the offensive side of the ball like them. Have they faced more talented teams, yes, but not as gritty. Serra beat Mitty as well in case you forgot and MC lost to BOD, they didn't beat them. It will be a contrast of styles with the coaching nod to Rapp. This is why I can see Serra pulling this one out

 

[PAL95]

Losing by 9 to BOD is an accomplishment! You need to watch more of Milstead because he is a player. Mitty's defense is as close as Serra's as it comes. If your stating Moreau has not faced a team as gritty you should go back to highschool cube and watch some of those teams in the Max Preps tourney. They gave Moreau all they could handle and thensome and I would say much better than anyone Serra had faced including DeLa Salle a team Serra lost to by 19 this year.

 

[PAL95]

A poster said that they were looking for another gym to play the game in. If this is the case and they play at a nuetral site I still say Moreau in a close one
68 -64.

 

[jordan24]

I will give the slight edge to Moreau, but would not be surprised at all if the Padres pull out the win. Serra D is like a root canal as it hangs around and is painful throughout the game. Lol! Serra will also have to slow it down, work their motion offense to force Moreau to play D for the duration of each shot clock. Basically, stick to what has been their formula for success. Coaching advantage: Rapp-Serra; Talent Advantage: Moreau Should be a very good matchup of contrasting styles.

 

[PAL95]

On to the St Francis BOD game.... I have seen both teams play in person and I just dont see how St Francis stands a chance in this one. BOD's bigs shoud have a field day down low as Hewitt will be greatly overmatched. St Francis will have to be on absolute fire from the arc to stand a punchers chance. St Francis is battle tested, but it will be like bringing a knife to a gun fight. They will also have to deal with Austin who can shoot it, penetrate at will, and drop dimes. He is very good against a press so you can throw that out the window.If the undersized biggs from SHP gave the Lancers problems, I can imagine what Rabb will do. I think a key player for St Francis is Thomas who is a great on ball defender and could possibly slow Austin down with his length. Easier said than done though. Bottom line is BOD is a very good team without many weaknesses and will be a tall order for the Lancers even on their best night. BOD 79 ST FRANCIS 59. If SF got placed in D2 they could have been very well headed to a state championship..

 

[Mr. Direct]

I must say I agree with Bumpy on all divisions. I do not expect SF to get dominated by BOD.

 

[noknight]

Originally posted by SHgradSIdad:
MC hasn't faced a team like Serra either, I predict a Serra W 51-49

Statements like this always make me think of Nuke Laloosh in Bull Durham saying "he's never seen MY heat - I want to assert my presence with authority!"

I've said before that I don't think Moreau should even be in the open division, and I think Serra earned their slot by winning the CCS Open division, but like PAL95 said, it's not like Moreau's going to be awestruck by facing the mighty Padres, either. They've already faced four different teams ranked in MaxPreps top 100 (which, by the way, is four more than Serra has faced all year).

I think the game's way too close to call, and one that offers such contrasting styles really should be fascinating to watch, but I think some of the hyperbole is bordering on ridiculous.

 

[SHgradSIdad]

Originally posted by noknight:

Originally posted by SHgradSIdad:
MC hasn't faced a team like Serra either, I predict a Serra W 51-49

Statements like this always make me think of Nuke Laloosh in Bull Durham saying "he's never seen MY heat - I want to assert my presence with authority!"

I think the game's way too close to call, and one that offers such contrasting styles really should be fascinating to watch, but I think some of the hyperbole is bordering on ridiculous.

Let me cut and paste directly from my previous post:

When I said they haven't seen a team like Serra , it is accurate as they have not seen a team who plays defense like them and executes on the offensive side of the ball like them. Have they faced more talented teams, yes, but not as gritty.

If you've never seen Serra play you would misconstrue my statement to mean that Serra is a juggernaut and can beat most college teams. This is not the point I was trying to make. Keep in mind Serra beat Mitty and St. Francis this year and they beat them by out hustling them and by mucking up the game and disrupting the other teams offensive flow, by any means necessary. Also, by executing on offense to perfection. You're right about one thing, Rapp will try to assert his presence.

 

[Lincoln240]

This game will come down to how the game is refereed!
If the refs let them play I could see Serra being in the game or winning.
If they call it close on the peremiter, Moreau will have the advantage.
Serra had a tough time stopping Stansberry's penetration this year.

Hollins is really stepping up for SHC. They get by Vanden but Campo is too much.
Riordan should beat Albany. but I think Sierra is too talented and deep for Riordan.
Mitty should be able to get to finals against Sac. But without great guard play you can't be a NorCal champ.

 

[CityVibesII]

Come NorCals, the officials are directed to call a tight game. The 2014-15 emphasis rule for hand checking will hurt WCAL teams, particularly Serra. Youre going to have one or two referees with some local knowledge, but the thrid (who will be from way up north, will dictate the hand check in early minutes. Just enough to jepordize Serra MO and get early foul trouble.

 

[Rmbr26]

Originally posted by CityVibesII:

Come NorCals, the officials are directed to call a tight game. The 2014-15 emphasis rule for hand checking will hurt WCAL teams, particularly Serra. Youre going to have one or two referees with some local knowledge, but the thrid (who will be from way up north, will dictate the hand check in early minutes. Just enough to jepordize Serra MO and get early foul trouble.

CityVibesII: I remember this coming up as well the last couple of season's in NorCal playoffs. So based upon the style of play in the WCAL which is more defense than offense, is it your opinion that a WCAL team will be at a slight disadvantage based upon refs from other areas quick to call hand check fouls?

 

[CityVibesII]

That is correct. A point of emphasis is hand-checking this year. I am sure that will be part of official pre-game. That being said, the defensive intensity of the WCAL will be front and center. I believe an official not familiar with the tempo will call game tight off the opening whistle. I am sure WCAL teams will adjust, but it should be careful in first half of 1st quarter that two quick fouls arent called on key defenders. This could change the coaching philosophy of game.

I recall the Pratt kid from SHC. Argubly the best defender in the WCAL(at the time), picking up three quick fouls in the State Championship game (and a fourth, I believe right before half or early 3rd). Had to sit out most of the game; affecting the style of play and ultimately the game - one point lost.

I see the same concerns with the Serra. Their saving grace is they dont necessarily depend on one-player.
This post was edited on 3/11 3:45 PM by CityVibesII

 

[SHgradSIdad]

@noknight and PAL95...not so ridiculous and funny now! haha

 

[serdaprs]

Once again PAL looks like an idiot. Just blinded by his hate to see the facts. And now he is back tracking. please keep rooting against serra, i like watching this team play. They are well coached at home and on the road. they play with heart and no team will out hustle them.

 

[PAL95]

Hey, I didnt play or coach Moreau and get beat by 30! I had an opinion on how the game would go and I was wrong and so was ALOT of other people including Cal Hi Sports, Max Preps and so on. As far as me being an idiot thats something I have never been and you would not dare say it to me in person you keyboard coward.

 

[Rmbr26]

PAL95 - don;t take it too personal as its just sports-talk hate - nothing personal. Nobody & I mean nobody predicted Serra blowing out MC. You are knowledgeable & usually pretty good at predicting games and this turned out to be a bad match-up all the way around for MC & so credit to Rapp & Padres - they outplayed & outcoached the athletically talented MC team. I had posted that Serra had a good chance and was not really an underdog [as I saw it on paper] & I was right, BUT not anywhere near the final score - like veryone else I might add. One thing about sports predicts is if you make them & are wrong fans will jump all over you - especially the fans who did not post a prediction. Again don't take it too personal - just post board needling.

OK everyone -lets hear the predicts for the next round of playoffs!!

 

[PAL95]

I take it personal when someone is calling me out of my name and that's the second time he or she has done it. Its one thing to tell me how bad my picks are and telling me i dont know what im talking about, but name calling doesn't sit with me unless its man to man. Im over it though. Serra played a great game and I give credit where credit is due. Yes there will be some great matchups on deck! Btw I was almost spot on with the BOD St Francis score...

This post was edited on 3/14 9:45 PM by PAL95

 

[Rmbr26]

Originally posted by PAL95:
Serra played a great game and I give credit where credit is due. Yes there will be some great matchups on deck! Btw I was almost spot on with the BOD St Francis score...

Good call on the SF-BOD game PAL as I remembered your predict of O'Dowd by 20 when I saw the final score of 76-55 [by 21, so not too shabby on that pick].

BTW I had O'Dowd by 10 - I thought SF would do a better job on their big man, but he was pretty much unstoppable.