Top Matches and Players to Watch on Championship Weekend

This takes place 70 minutes after winning the Corona Centennial High playoffs. The fans were told to go home and were escorted out by security. The doors were locked. And yet, loud music is playing in the gym, and basketballs are being put away by security guards. All-American quarterback Jared McCain goes about his usual business of working on his shot.

“People ask, ‘Does he do this all the time?’ Yes,” said coach Josh Giles.

When your best player is also your hardest working, it helps to explain how Centennial will claim their third straight Open Division Southern Section Championship at 8:00 p.m. Saturday against Bellflower St. John Bosco at the Honda Center.

Linked to the Duke, McCain simply won’t let anyone outplay him. “His daily routine after the game was contagious,” Giles said. “It’s amazing. Our administration is great about it. They let the boys do it.”

Now, freshmen are joining McCain as young quarterback Eric Freeney tries to get ahead of him in scheduled practices.

“Eric and Jared are fighting for the first guy here,” Giles said.

It’s a big weekend for basketball championships in the southern part and the urban part. There will be many outstanding youth and girls teams and athletes. Let’s look at star power.

  • Elsie Harrington, Bellflower St. John Bosco: The sophomore quarterback went through big playoff games to help the Braves reach the Open Division Finals, along with contributions from sophomore Cade Bonham, senior Jack Turner and freshman Brandon McCoy.
  • Brannon Martinsen, Santa Ana Mater Dei: A 6ft 8in freshman, the young Monarchs are playing for the Division 1 championship against Etiwanda. He can throw triples and doesn’t shy away from stressful situations.
  • Carson Brown, Las Flores Tesoro: Definitely the influence of 6-3 Brown, whose scoring skills allow Tesoro to play Orange Lutheran in the 2A Championship.
  • Tyrone Riley, Downey St. Pius X-St. Mathias: 6-6 juniors, Riley scored 53 against Ventura Buena in the 3AA semi-finals.
  • Jason Crowe, Jr., Linwood: All-time state freshman leader, Crowe is averaging 36.2 points as he tries to lead his team to a 5AA championship.
  • Ben Eisendrath, North Hollywood, Oakwood: The 17-year-old Eisendrath is averaging 17 points and seven assists as he tries to lead Oakwood to the 3A title, the first since Mitchell Butler took charge of the Owls in 1988.
  • Darius Carr, Fairfax: Mid-season transfer formerly with Playa del Rey Street. Bernard, Carr caused a stir with his dunks that took the Lions to the City Open Division final.
  • Keyon Kensi Jr., Taft: Kensi, formerly of Simi Valley Donda Academy, returned to Taft averaging about 25 points per game for the Open Division finalists.
  • Juju Watkins, Chatsworth Sierra Canyon: The nation’s top girls player in the class of 2023 is averaging 28 points, 14 rebounds and 3.7 assists for a 29-0 trailblazer.
  • Kennedy Smith, Etiwanda: If anyone can challenge Sierra Canyon, it’s Etiwanda and Smith, whose scoring and rebounding make her one of the best in the 2024 class.
  • Morgan Mack, Newhall Hart: Just a sophomore, she scored 30 points in the semifinals to propel Hart to the 2AA championship game.
  • Ashley Chea, Flintridge Prep: An outstanding point guard, Chea makes Flintridge Prep play for the 3AA championship.
  • Mariah Blake, Westchester: Still developing as a 5-10 junior, Blake has a unique jumping skill that gives her an unstoppable mid-range jump shot for the Comets 28-1 in the City Open Division Finals.