On the surface, there isn’t a ton at stake when St. Anthony hosts St. John Bosco boys’ basketball in an Open Division clash tonight at 7 p.m. in the Jack Errion Gym. Both teams are 0-2 in pool play and have been eliminated from contention for winning the pool and advancing to the Open Division championship game.
But bragging rights and momentum are significant in the competitive world of high school sports, and especially high school basketball. The two teams split a regular season series this year, and neither wants to end their Open Division stay without picking up a win.
There’s also the matter of the State bracket. Both teams have clinched a CIF State berth, with a large question looming of how many CIF-SS Open teams will make the CIF State Open bracket, versus how many will go Division 1. It’s been rumored that this might be the first year that all eight CIF-SS Open teams make that bracket at the state level as well–but the winner of tonight’s game seems certain to go Open, as it’s likely the CIF State will take at least six CIF-SS teams into the Open.
LISTEN to us break down this and other CIF Playoffs matchups on our weekly podcast.
