SLO County high school basketball playoffs tip off: Check here for stats and schedules
San Luis Obispo County high school basketball playoffs have arrived, and several girls and boys teams are playing this week with the hopes of making deep runs in the CIF-Central Section postseason.
Here’s a look at how local teams are positioned, including schedules and key stats.
Some teams didn’t post stats on MaxPreps.com, but team leaders were mentioned from those programs that did.
SLO County boys’ Mountain League
Arroyo Grande High (23-5, 9-1 Mountain League) comes in as the highest ranked SLO County boys’ team, cracking the top 100 in the state during the season.
The Eagles face a tough matchup, however, in Clovis West (25-4, 9-1 Tri-Rivers League) on Saturday in Fresno.
Arroyo Grande is led by an experienced group, including 6-foot-3 senior Gage Gomez, a three-year varsity player and top-notch three-point shooter. He’s backed up by 6-foot-4 senior Robert Hutchens, who poured in 25 points against St. Joseph in an early-season win for the Eagles.
San Luis Obispo High’s boys’ team finished its Mountain League schedule with a three-game winning streak, crushing Mission Prep in a 65-38 blowout at home on Feb. 11 in front of a raucous crowd.
The Tigers (17-13, 4-6 Mountain League) avenged their 54-44 loss to the Royals on Jan. 24, and will face Hanford (14-13, 7-3 West Yosemite League) at home Thursday at 7 p.m.
The Tigers are led by seniors Carson Leedom, averaging 14 points and nine rebounds per game, and Emilio Corona, who’s averaging nearly 10 points and five rebounds, according to Maxpreps.com.
“We are hoping to win tomorrow to advance to our third-straight CIF semifinals,” said Jeff Brandow, the team’s coach and school’s athletic director, who took over coaching duties midway through the season, after SLO High and former coach Trey Francke parted ways.
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Mission Prep (16-12, 5-5 Mountain League) has advanced to a second-round playoff game, after topping Stockdale High (12-13, 2-8 Southwest Yosemite League) of Bakersfield 56-46 on Tuesday. The Royals play Bakersfield High (22-6, 10-0 Southwest Yosemite League) on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Mission Prep’s top players include senior guard Max Rowley, as well as juniors Assani Berkeley and Carlton Brown III. Bryce Hilton also has contributed as a senior forward.
Atascadero (15-13, 6-6 Mountain League) suffered a 63-55 loss to Porterville in the Greyhounds’ first-round matchup.
The Greyhounds were led by 6-foot junior guard Mitchell Carpenter’s 22 points per game this season. Senior Trey Gamble logged 10 points per game. Senior Ayden Bremer added nearly 10 points and four assists per game.
SLO County boys’ Ocean League
Morro Bay (18-11, 10-2 Ocean League) was bounced from the playoffs Tuesday by North High of Bakersfield (18-10, 10-0 Southeast Yosemite League) in a 49-41 defeat.
The Pirates’ squad included seven seniors, among them captains 6-foot-11 center Joey Ruddell and 6-foot-4 forward Jeremy Michel.
Midway through the season, Morro Bay went on a seven-game league winning streak (11 straight overall) and took down Atascadero on Jan. 7 in a 62-55 road win.
Nipomo High (19-10, 10-2 Ocean League) lost 71-54 to Chavez High of Delano (23-6, 12-0 South Seqouia League) on Tuesday after a nine-game winning streak.
SLO County girls’ teams
Several SLO County girls teams have Wednesday games on their schedules.
San Luis Obispo High (15-12, 6-6 Mountain League) takes on Independence (12-13, 6-4 South Yosemite League) at 6 p.m. in SLO’s small gym. The Tigers’ captain is AJ Smelser, a 5-foot-7 guard.
Mission Prep (15-11, 5-7) plays Centennial of Bakersfield (14-14, 4-7 Southwest Yosemite) on Wednesday.
Morro Bay (14-12, 7-3) faces off against Sanger (17-11, 4-6 County/Metro League) on Wednesday.
Nipomo (19-8, 6-6) takes on Shafter (14-13, 9-3 South Sequoia League). The Titans’ squad featured only one senior, captain Shantille Simonson.
Arroyo Grande (18-8, 8-4) plays on Friday against a team yet to be announced, according to MaxPreps.com.
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