So what's more important?
A Central Coast Section divisional title or an automatic trip to the State Northern California playoffs in your respective division?
Assuming both Palma and North Salinas run the table this week, both basketball league champions will likely be placed in the CCS boys and girls Open Division playoffs.
Of course, both could argue against it.
But why?
Sure, both would be the favorites to win CCS titles in their respective divisions. North Salinas would have a shot to repeat the feat as a section champion in girls.
But there are no guarantees.
Playing in the Open Division means you are one of the top eight teams in the section, and you will play at least two games.
And you're being rewarded rather than penalized by being guaranteed a spot in the Nor Cal playoffs in your respective divisions.
The reality is, what does North Salinas have left to prove? It has won three straight Gabilan Division titles and 30 straight league games. It is the defending D1 champions.
Palma is 19-3 with a new head coach and two underclassmen in the starting lineup. All three losses were games it could have won.
John Devine has been writing about high school sports in Monterey County since, well, practically since he was an athlete at King City in the days just after leather helmets. In PrepNation, John has even more in-depth analysis of the latest results and news he's brought to you in The Herald and in his weekly videos.
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1 comment:
Not sure why you believe Palma would be favored in CCS D4. Most rankings have Palma at #3 in CCS D4 behind Half Moon Bay and Sacred Heart Prep. Palma probably would be seeded #3 if Half Moon Bay and Sacred Heart Prep weren't moved up to the Open Division. I think at this stage Scared Heart Prep probably deserves to be ranked #1 given wins against Bellarmine and Half Moon Bay while schedule is not as tougher overall defeated PG by more than Palma did. If Palma plays at Sacred Heart Prep or Menlo for playoff game, I would give those teams the advantage. Palma seems to not be able to shoot at either venue. HMB has some length and probably matches up with Palma and Sacred Heart Prep has shooters. Will be surprised if Palma is seeded higher than either team. However, if Palma plays well I think they could defeat both teams. I think there is a bias towards SHP and HMB that isn't clear cut that they are better than Palma this year. In any event, Palma will have to play its A game against those teams an could face them in the norcal tournament as well as some good NCS and SJS teams. With Palma, HMB and SHP in the CCS Open playoff, Monte Vista Christian or PG will have a good shot at the title.
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