CIF Southern Section Playoff Preview: Underclassmen to Watch

The CIF-SS Preliminaries began Thursday, February 13, while the Open Division Pool Play began Saturday, February 15. Many teams are capable of deep playoff runs into March. The Southern Section is arguably the most competitive region in the country! Several highly-ranked teams and highly-touted players! Below are intriguing, underrated underclassmen who have performed all season long.    Jaiden is a rising star in the Riverside area. She led Ramona High School to a 10-0 league record as captain, and is now the catalyst for playoff success after a 33 point performance in the opening round vs. Hemet High. Jaiden is an elite 2-way scorer who averages 4.3 steals on the season. She can lead a press and create several turnovers that result in fastbreak opportunities. Very fundamentally sound offensively. Her ability to spot up was on full display Thursday, with 7 made threes. She can play on and off-ball. Elite quickness and a scorer's mentality. The next chance to see Jaiden is this upcoming Wednesday vs. Lawndale High School.     Kalani is another talented 2-way scorer in the Southern Section. She has led Lawndale to a 9-1 league record on the year. Her ability to score in bunches makes her very dangerous come playoff time. Unrivaled confidence at such a young age. Kalani is a ball hawk defensively and has 20 games on the year with 4 or more steals! Kalani vs. Jaiden will be an exciting matchup of two up-and-coming guards in the class of 2027.     In their 1st playoff matchup this past Saturday vs. #1 ranked Ontario Christian, Kamdyn led Sage Hill with 15 points. She is versatile on both ends and can score in a variety of ways. Very capable shooter when she gets her feet set. Solid length and a high basketball IQ, allowing her to guard multiple positions. The next opportunity to see Kamdyn is this upcoming Wednesday against Sierra Canyon to continue pool play in the open division.     Zetta is one of the more productive, underrated players in the entire state. She is averaging 20.3ppg, 11.1rpg, 3.1spg, and 1.8bpg on the season! Talk about versatility. Zetta has a balanced shot appetite, making the opponent's scouting report vague come playoff time. She has scored 20+ in her last three games and had a season-high, 36 points, versus Temecula Valley a couple weeks ago. EXTREMELY quick release on her jump shot. She pursues loose balls and rebounds like there is no tomorrow. Zetta is in a great rhythm at the perfect time of the year.     Natalie plays the game with toughness and grit at such a young age. She went for 22 points and 15 rebounds in Downey's opening round victory against Arcadia on Thursday. Solid scorer and exceptional guard rebounder. She is a double-double machine at.. 5'7... as a freshman. Her relentless energy and unselfish nature translates to winning basketball for Downey as they prepare for Chaparral High this Wednesday. Zetta vs. Natalie will be yet another enticing playoff matchup.     Riley had an impressive 18 points on 9/12 shooting from the field in Pioneer's opening round victory. Riley is shooting 55% from the field this year! She does not need the ball to make an impact. Riley is a very reliable scorer inside, while rebounding and guarding effectively as well (1.7spg, 1.2bpg). She seems to flourish under pressure.     Alaysha totaled 14 points in Moreno Valley's comfortable opening round victory (61-40). It will be interesting to see how Alaysha performs in tighter games down the stretch, as she has the size, skill, and versatility for these type of games come playoff time. Alaysha followed Thursday's performance with 23 points against St. Monica in a blowout victory. She is certainly someone to watch and will carry Moreno Valley to a special playoff run.     Naomi has averaged nearly 30 a game... as a freshman! She is dominate on both ends with 9 games of 7+ steals. This has led Silver Valley to an 11-1 league record on the year. Namoi has gone for 30+ eleven times this year, and 40+ three times. Rarely do you see a freshman guard with her scoring prowess and ability to cause havoc defensively.     Kaicia has delivered in key pivotal moments throughout the playoffs thus far. 22 points in the opening round victory, followed by 15 points in a 42-39 OT 2nd round victory. Kaicia leads Serra High in scoring due to her ability to score in bunches. She is confident and unfazed when her shot is not falling. This bodes well down the stretch with the game on the line. Next matchup vs. La Quinta High School, Wednesday 7pm.     Lunden had 24 points in Lynwood's opening round victory against Los Osos. Not too bad for a freshman in her 1st playoff game. Lunden has solid size as a natural shooting guard. She is able to get her shot off in a variety of ways and can get hot in a hurry. Lunden gives you plenty defensively and is averaging nearly a block and 2 steals per game this year.     Brinley had 22 points and 17 rebounds in their Saturday playoff victory against Crean Lutheran. Her versatility and consistency is special. Brinley is the 2nd leading scorer for the 28-2 Ventura Cougars. That says a lot for a sophomore with plenty of growth ahead of her. She is very mobile for her size and truly does-it-all. Brinley is patient on the low block and finishes with contact. High basketball IQ, which has contributed to individual and team sucess. Brinley is efficient from the field, anchors the defense, and is a flat-out winner. She is a player to watch in their upcoming matchup Wednesday vs. Rancho Christian.

The CIF-SS Preliminaries began Thursday, February 13, while the Open Division Pool Play began Saturday, February 15. Many teams are capable of deep playoff runs into March. The Southern Section is arguably the most competitive region in the country! Several highly-ranked teams and highly-touted players! Below are intriguing, underrated underclassmen who have performed all season long.