Here are my observations from watching games on Friday and Saturday.
Team Rankings (based on my observations and future potential). A player spotlight will be in another thread.
- La Jolla: Deepest team in the tourney. They consistently went 6-for-6. No real dynamic players in the senior class, but I do like several underclassmen, including a stellar sophomore class.
- LB Wilson: They played 2 games, but they were equal with CDM on Thursday. It’s a nice mixture of solid seniors and some impressive underclassmen.
- San Marcos: They beat Wilson a week ago, but I like Wilson’s depth better. San Marcos was the most physical team I saw. Has a standout senior, solid goalie play, and intriguing underclassmen.
- Westlake: A junior-dominated team that lacks depth, but has playmakers and grit.
- Buena (Ventura): Another junior-dominated team led by the best player in the tournament , junior Jack Pointner.
- Poway: Top 5 in San Diego? Strong center play and an excellent 1/2-side as well.
- Crean Lutheran: Young team with a 1st-year coach and an excellent senior player in Mark DiPinto.
- LB Poly: Excellent in the cage and a couple of seniors that make things happen on the offensive end. Promising freshman attacker/utility as well.
- Servite: Improved from game 1 to game 4. Nice mix of experience and youth.
- Portola: Strong C/D who can post-up. Tonkovich brothers are athletic and an impressive freshman class led by attacker Cal Ulicny
- Palos Verdes: Improved as the tournament progressed. They lack depth, but their youth is on the rise, and senior Nic Buhl is an active attacker.
- Torrey Pines: Intriguing team that will get better. Liked the sophomore Julian Breeze and Hunter Sykes as well as Ryan Yang. Jack Mason was not in attendance in the games I saw–he’s a good one.
- Mt. Carmel: Pepperdine-bound Cameron Bench flashed, but needs others to step up.
- Beckman: Hurt by players that transferred out, but junior Parsa Tamadon is a good one.