By Ed Piper, Jr.
Canyon Crest Academy coach Brian Baum was about to go get lunch and watch some film to prepare for La Jolla in the two team's CIF Division 2 boys basketball second-round playoff game Sat., Feb. 25.
"I haven't seen them since early in the season," said Baum, who doubles as Athletic Director at CCA, where the 7 p.m. tilt will be held. "So I'll watch some film and try to figure it out, and hopefully have a plan by the time we practice."
The Ravens, the number one seed in Division 2, smoked Del Norte, 63-30, in the first round. But it didn't come without a struggle.
"We didn't play well in the first half. We were down. You miss a few shots," and things went south.
"Like you say, you're working with high school students."
"Don't know" why the team came out flat, Baum said, when asked the reasons for CCA's slow start.
But the Ravens played well in the second half, limiting their opponents to eight points.
CCA is benefiting from that new wave in high school sports called transfers: Jakob Travis from Torrey Pines, and Sam Crespy from La Costa Canyon. "It's (we've) been fairly consistent through the season," said Baum, returning a call during the regular school day Thursday. "After the New Year we have had (these two) getting eligible."
Travis, a 6'4" senior, bucketed 13 points in the win.
Team leaders? Definitely Ryan Michaels and MJ Metz. "MJ is kind of our vocal leader," said Baum. He's a 6'5" junior. "(Michaels) is more quiet. He leads by example." He's a 6'2" senior captain.
CCA lives in a tough neighborhood. The Ravens have to vie in the Avocado West League with Torrey Pines, which swept its conference schedule with an 11-0 record. The Ravens were a very good but distant 7-3. La Costa Canyon is also an Avocado West member.
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