CIF Southern Section Playoff Recap: Team X-factors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every division in the CIF Southern Sectional playoffs was must-see TV. Featured in this article are under-the-radar standouts who made a huge difference. There were so many special performers to choose from in this loaded section. Whether shooting or rebounding, defense or playmaking, the ladies below are instrumental in their team's success.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":" [player_tooltip player_id='1252604' first='Alyson' last='Boyd']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Rancho Christian","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c9473993441"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The 2025 CIF Southern Section Division I champion is Rancho Christian, and the team X-factor was <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1252604' first='Alyson' last='Boyd']</strong> without a doubt. Not only did she score 18 points on 6/7 shooting in the championship game, she added 11 gritty rebounds as well! <strong>Alyson</strong> gives you the size and strength to guard multiple positions. She set the tone in Round 1 vs. Mira Costa: 14 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. Her ability to compliment the leading scorers ([player_tooltip player_id='570416' first='Julia' last='Wilson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1045824' first='Ebony' last='Taylor-Smith']) as a reliable 3rd option propelled Rancho Christian to playoff success. <strong>Alyson's </strong>season-high of 28 points (12.7ppg) shows she is more than capable of providing scoring relief when necessary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["837768"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c97057b1c94"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Despite the 2nd place finish to Rancho Christian in the Division I Southern Sectional, <strong>Lev Feiman</strong> proved to be Brentwood's X-factor all tournament long. She delivered yet again in the title game, scoring 22 (10/16 shooting) of Brentwood's 46 total points. <strong>Lev's</strong> postseason efficiency has been off the charts, failing to shoot less than 50% only 1 playoff game thus far. Gifted scorer who is selective, yet effective from deep. <strong>Lev</strong> gives you plenty of deflections on the other end as well. The senior is ending her prep career on a high note to say the least.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1263824' first='Talia' last='Kasbarian']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12121","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Pilibos","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c94739934df"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Pilibos had their fair share of nail biters heading into the Division 4A sectional title game. La Mirada was their championship opponent, and Pilibos was able to win comfortably, 55-40. Leading scorers, Nanar Shahinian and <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/ca/los-angeles/pilibos-eagles/athletes/lara-kasbarian/?careerid=0ut56cuo0v7qa">Lara Kasbarian</a>, were expected to carry the load. The biggest storyline was Lara's younger sister, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1263824' first='Talia' last='Kasbarian']</strong>, leading Pilibos in scoring with 13 huge points on only 6 shot attempts! In the biggest game of her young prep career, she delivered a team-high, career-high outing in a performance for the ages.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":" Zoey Boulware","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12122","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Hillcrest","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c947399355f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Division 5AA Southern Section champions featured a devastating inside presence. <strong>Zoey's</strong> dominance as a scorer and rebounder proved to be the difference for Hillcrest. When she is playing with energy, she is the clear X-factor. Soft hands, boxes out, runs the floor well, and finishes through contact. Her ability to rack up offensive rebounds created so many 2nd chance opportunities for her teammates. Defensively, <strong>Zoey</strong> has mastered her responsbilities at the backend of the full-court press. She understands when to help, when to gamble for steals, and when to crash the boards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Shannon Yan","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12124","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Gabrielino","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c94739935d7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sophomore, <strong>Shannon Yan</strong>, has taken her game to new heights over the last month or so. Three 20+ point performances since Jan. 27 after averaging around 9ppg. <strong>Shannon</strong> is gaining confidence and will break out as a prospect sooner rather than later. She has been Gabrielino's leading scorer in the majority of playoff games thus far, and gives you production in other areas as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Kimiko Nagata","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Gabrielino","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c947399364c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Division 5A Southern Section champs have another X-factor who happens to be a freshman. <strong>Kimiko</strong> made her mark in the biggest game of the year, scoring 15 of Gabrielino's 38 total points in the championship! She has primarily served as a pass-first PG throughout her freshman season. 2-way player who competes hard on both ends. <strong>Kimiko's </strong>confidence in her scoring ability could not have came at a better time. She was arguably the best player in the sectional title game and is someone to watch in the near future.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->