The top local teams to watch in the CIF-Southern Section boys basketball playoffs

Loren Ledin, Ventura County Star
·7 min read

Oxnard High is a No. 1 seed, Buena takes a No. 4 seed and seven league champions lead 15 local teams who will open postseason at home. Seven others hope to spring surprises on the road.

In all, 22 area squads have earned their way into the CIF-Southern Section boys basketball playoffs, with brackets revealed Sunday. It figures, as usual, to be an intriguing three weeks as teams battle their way to championships.

First-round matchups are set for Wednesday, with 7 p.m. tipoffs.

More:The top local teams to watch in the CIF-Southern Section girls basketball playoffs

TEAMS TO WATCH

Here's a look at 10 county programs who will offer intrigue and suspense as they chase success round by round.

OXNARD (26-2, Channel League champions at 14-0): The Yellowjackets have been ranked No. 1 in Division 2AA for most of the season and will open at home vs. county rival Westlake (16-12).

Reese Widerburg is the leading scorer for a balanced and talented Oxnard team.
Reese Widerburg is the leading scorer for a balanced and talented Oxnard team.

Oxnard under coach Jeff Staniland is accustomed to postseason success. The Yellowjackets finished 32-3 and advanced to the CIF-State SoCal Regional Division 2 semifinals in 2020. Oxnard reached the CIF-SS Division 2A title game in 2017.

A fierce, full-court, pressure man-to-man defense makes the Yellowjackets a tough out. Leading scorer Reese Widerburg (16.3 points), esteemed point guard Bobby Barajas and steady Dominick Contreras (16.1 points) lend Oxnard an experienced, unruffled trio.

SIMI VALLEY (19-8, Coastal Canyon co-champions at 7-1): The Pioneers will open Division 2AA play at home vs. Fountain Valley as one of the county's hottest teams.

Ryder Mjoen and Simi Valley enter the postseason on a hot streak.
Ryder Mjoen and Simi Valley enter the postseason on a hot streak.

The winning streak is five in a row and includes victories over Agoura and Oak Park. The 48-45 victory over the Eagles in the regular-season finale earned Simi Valley its first league title since 2011, and ended an all-time 18-game losing streak to Oak Park.

First-year coach Craig Griffin has a team led by breakout scorer Ryder Mjoen (21.2 points) and a tough defense. Justin Rener and Caleb Peters offer consistent production in every game.

AGOURA (19-9, Marmonte League champion at 9-1): After an impressive run through the Marmonte League gauntlet, the Chargers will launch Division 2A competition on their home floor vs. San Marcos (10-17).

Nasir Meyer helped lead Agoura to the Marmonte League title.
Nasir Meyer helped lead Agoura to the Marmonte League title.

The last time Agoura won the Marmonte League was two seasons ago in 2021, and the momentum carried all the to the Division 2A title game.

A stirring 1-2 punch comes from 6-foot-6 junior Nasir Meyer and senior shooting guard Zane Miller. Meyer is among the region's hottest players and averages 19.4 points. Miller is close behind at 17.4 points per game.

BUENA (24-4, second place in Channel League at 11-3): Watch out for the Bulldogs, who figure to be a huge factor in Division 3AA. Buena takes on visiting Pasadena Poly (17-10) in its first-round contest.

Led by multisport star Zane Carter, Buena could make a deep run in the Division 3AA playoffs.
Led by multisport star Zane Carter, Buena could make a deep run in the Division 3AA playoffs.

The Bulldogs have been consistent and relentless all season, and very nearly ended Oxnard's undefeated run in league in the regular-season closer. It took a last-second 3-pointer in overtime to produce Oxnard's 66-65 victory.

Buena's star duo of Zane Carter (17.3 points, 10.8 rebounds) and point guard Colin Guenther (9.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.8 assist) give this team a puncher's chance in any game. Senior guard Daniel Ortiz offers another scoring option at 13.4 points per game.

OAK PARK (17-10, Coastal Canyon co-champion at 7-1): The Eagles face the toughest challenge of any area team in the playoffs as the county's lone Division 1 entry. Oak Park will begin its playoff quest at home against St. Francis (19-9).

Oak Park's Isaiah Sherrard is one of the most complete players in the county.
Oak Park's Isaiah Sherrard is one of the most complete players in the county.

The Eagles have the talent to make a run, led by 6-7 senior forward Isaiah Sherrard. He averages 18.8 points and 9.2 rebounds. Oak Park will need production from the rest of the cast, including senior Trey McDonald (11.2 points) and junior Seshsha Henderson (9.7 points).

NORDHOFF (20-6 Citrus Coast League champions at 11-1): The Rangers have reached the 20-win tier mark for the first time since 1967, and that team won a CIF-SS championship. They're certainly poised to do damage in Division 4AA, and will open on their home court vs. Western Christian (17-11).

A balanced cast is led by leading scorers Willem Rutherford, who set the program record for 3-pointers in a season, Campbell Green and Beckham Rutherford. Josh Rosen, Beck Zimmerman and Cole Everett are consistent contributors.

Willem Rutherford helped lead Nordhoff to a 20-win regular season and a Citrus Coast League title.
Willem Rutherford helped lead Nordhoff to a 20-win regular season and a Citrus Coast League title.

Of note: Nordhoff's league record over the past four seasons is 35-4.

THOUSAND OAKS (20-8, second in Marmonte League at 7-3): The Lancers may be disappointed to settle for second place in the league standings, but they can regroup from late losses to Westlake and Agoura and make a run in Division 2AA.

Thousand Oaks will launch postseason at home against Culver City (13-11).

Elias Chin is one of the leaders of a talented Thousand Oaks team.
Elias Chin is one of the leaders of a talented Thousand Oaks team.

The Lancers have as much talent as any county team, with 6-9 sophomore Trent MacLean and 6-4 junior point guard Elias Chin each capable of taking over games. Chin put up 22 points, 13 rebounds and six assists in the 68-57 victory over Newbury Park in the regular-season finale. MacLean had 13 points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots. Jacob Kjarval, among then steadiest of the Lancers, scored 15 points with five rebounds and a pair of steals.

ST. BONAVENTURE (19-8, Tri-Valley League champions at 7-1): Can the Seraphs go deep in Division 4AA? They've got the talent and motivation to do just that.

St. Bonaventure will host wild-card winner Costa Mesa or Heritage in first-round play.

Dylan Benner is a dominant factor as a 6-7 power forward, and averages 16.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

Dylan Benner has been a dominant player for St. Bonaventure.
Dylan Benner has been a dominant player for St. Bonaventure.

Balance is delivered by Sam Seiden (8.0 points per game), Jeremy Goodcase (7.2 points) and Matthew Wilson (7.0 points).

The Seraphs were Division 4AA finalists in 2017.

CAMARILLO (16-14, third place in Coastal Canyon at 4-4): The county's top sharpshooter gives the Scorpions a puncher's chance in any game. Chase Aronowitz, a 6-3 senior guard, has nailed a program-record 100 3-pointers while averaging 15.5 points.

Chase Aronowitz leads a Camarillo team looking to make a run in the Division 3AA playoffs.
Chase Aronowitz leads a Camarillo team looking to make a run in the Division 3AA playoffs.

He gets plenty of help. Joshua Castaniero is a smooth sophomore point guard who averages 4.2 assists and 7.2 rebounds. Marcos Jaquez is a physical inside force who pulls down 8.7 rebounds a game.

Camarillo's potential is evidenced by recent close losses to league powers Simi Valley (49-46) and Oak Park (48-44).

The Scorpions will open the Division 3AA playoffs at South Pasadena (18-9).

HILLCREST CHRISTIAN (20-6, first in Omega League at 12-0): The small Thousand Oaks-based private school could be a big player in Division 5AA. The Saints open up postseason play at home against St. Monica Academy (13-13).

Tyler Pickett is a 6-5 sophomore power forward and impact player who put up 29 points in a recent victory over rival Newbury Park Adventist. Seth Viso, Chase Von Ianken and Charles Thomasian lend senior experience.

THE FULL PAIRINGS

Division 1

Wednesday, first round

  • St. Francis at Oak Park

Division 2AA

Wednesday, first round

  • Westlake at Oxnard

  • Culver City at Thousand Oaks

  • Fountain Valley at Simi Valley

  • Calabasas at Beverly Hills

Division 2A

Wednesday, first round

  • San Marcos at Agoura

Division 3AA

Wednesday, first round

  • Pasadena Poly at Buena

  • Newbury Park at Artesia

  • Rio Mesa at La Serna

  • Camarillo at South Pasadena

Division 4AA

Tuesday, wild card

  • Trinity Classical Academy at Villanova Prep

Wednesday, first round

  • Western Christian Academy at Nordhoff

  • Costa Mesa or Heritage at St. Bonaventure

Division 5AA

Wednesday, first round

  • Katella at Foothill Tech

  • Mary Star of the Sea at Fillmore

  • St. Monica Academy at Hillcrest Christian

  • Beacon Hill at de Toledo

Division 5A

Tuesday, wild card

  • Duarte at Channel Islands

Wednesday, first round

  • San Luis Obispo Classical Academy at Santa Paula

  • Ojai Valley at Midland

  • International School of L.A. at Newbury Park Adventist

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: The top local teams to watch in the CIF-SS boys basketball playoffs