The journey for Archbishop Riordan to win back-to-back CIF-Central Coast Section Open Division boys basketball playoffs for the first time will begin where it concluded last season by squaring off against West Catholic Athletic League rival Archbishop Mitty.
Archbishop Riordan (23-1), which has won 17 section championships in program history, including a pair of Open Division crowns, produced a 59-53 victory in the final last year against the Monarchs.
The Crusaders earned the top seed in the eight-team Open Division playoffs, entering the postseason on a 14-game winning streak ahead of its matchup against No. 8 Archbishop Mitty.
Pool-play contests are scheduled for Friday, Monday and Wednesday, with the Open Division championship game held Feb. 28 at Santa Clara University.
Archbishop Riordan, led by seniors Andrew Hilman, Jasir Rencher and Nes Emeneke, is joined in its pool by No. 4 San Jose Valley Christian (17-7), No. 5 Menlo-Atherton (18-6) and five-time Open Division winner Archbishop Mitty (13-11).
Jasir Rencher of Archbishop Riordan boys basketball | Photo courtesy of Archbishop Riordan
The Crusaders swept both league matchups against Archbishop Mitty, completing back-to-back unbeaten seasons against West Catholic Athletic League competition.
Menlo-Atherton was victorious by a 73-60 margin Dec. 28 against San Jose Valley Christian in the Windsor Holiday Tournament final.
Archbishop Riordan, which secured its first title in 1973, hasn’t won consecutive section championships since capturing Division 3 crowns in 1998 and 1999.
Saint Ignatius (17-7), featuring seniors Vince Crisp and Marco Cerchiai in addition to juniors Raymond Whitley and Andrew Ennis, received the No. 2 seed and is paired with No. 3 Bellarmine Prep (17-7), No. 6 Milpitas (21-3) and No. 7 Junipero Serra (15-9).
Saint Ignatius boys basketball team | Photo courtesy of Saint Ignatius
Bellarmine Prep, highlighted by juniors Brennan Williams, Will Corbett and JJ Barton, won the Open Division title in 2018 and Junipero Serra prevailed in 2015.
Saint Ignatius competes Friday against Junipero Serra, with the Wildcats winning both West Catholic Athletic League showdowns during the regular season.
Bellarmine Prep and Milpitas are competing against each other for the first time since 2014.
Bellarmine Prep boys basketball team | Photo courtesy of Bellarmine Prep
Palo Alto (20-4) received the top seed in Division 1, seeking the ninth section championship in program history.
The Vikings, who won Division 1 crowns in 2017, 2019 and 2020, begin their postseason schedule in Tuesday’s quarterfinals.
Piedmont Hills (12-10) plays Friday at No. 9 Evergreen Valley (19-4), with the winner competing Saturday at No. 8 Alisal (18-6) to determine the opponent for Palo Alto.
Christopher (22-2) collected the No. 1 seed in Division 2, looking to rebound after losing 48-35 in last year’s final against San Jose Valley Christian.
The Cougars will play Tuesday against Andrew Hill (8-16), No. 9 Monta Vista (18-6) or No. 8 Aragon (13-10).
Aptos (22-4) achieved the top seed in Division 3, seeking the program’s first section championship since winning the Division 2 crown in 1986.
Greenfield (13-11) plays Friday at No. 9 North Monterey County (17-7), with the winner traveling Saturday to No. 8 Pioneer (10-14), and the Mariners playing host to the winner in Tuesday’s quarterfinals.
King’s Academy (20-4), which captured the Division 4 title in 2023, secured the No. 1 seed in the division in pursuit of another championship.
Stevenson (11-13) plays Friday at No. 9 Scotts Valley (12-14), with No. 8 Jefferson squaring off Saturday against the winner.
The Knights will face the winner of Saturday’s matchup in Tuesday’s quarterfinals.
Woodside Priory (18-6), a five-time section champion, is the top seed in Division 5.
The Panthers, who won back-to-back section crowns in 2022 and 2023, awaits their opponent to compete Tuesday in the quarterfinal round.
Kehillah (16-5) matches up Friday at No. 9 Pinewood (12-12), with the winner taking on No. 8 BASIS Independent Silicon Valley (15-5) in Saturday’s second-round contest to determine which team will face Woodside Priory.