So we spent the week telling you a little about the players competing for Poly in their ninth-straight championship appearance (our feature on the Wilson twins), and exactly how historic that run of nine years really is (answer: pretty historic); but before Poly takes the court for their 8:15pm game tonight in the Pyramid, we wanted to give you a primer on their opponent, the Santiago Sharks.

We actually saw this team in person last year, when Poly made the long haul out to Corona to play them in the quarterfinals, so believe us when we say: nothing is assured tonight.  Just as Cajon gave Poly fits last year with strength and athleticism, this Sharks team is basically a group of five excellent guards—everyone on the roster can shoot the three, they’re all pretty quick, and they’re 29-2.  They’ve earned their two-seed, and they definitely have the talent to hang with Poly.  “And actually,” warns Poly coach Carl Buggs, “they’re faster this year.”

A lot of Santiago’s strength comes from experience—the Sharks returned their three core players from last year, twins Jasmine (#22) and Cinnamon Lister (#33), and Cebrina Johnson (#44), all of whom are averaging in the double digits this year.  Jasmine Lister remains the more threatening of the twins; this year she’s averaging 18.7 points a game, and you can’t say enough about her leadership ability.  She’s like Cajon’s Leyshia Clarendon last year in that way—she will absolutely hit the big shot when they need her to.  Johnson, averaging 11 points a game, is about as close to a post player as they have, at 5-9 (the tallest player on the roster for Santiago is 5-10).  She’s a great rebounder, and, like the rest of the team, is quick with the ability to knock down the three.

Buggs says the focus for Poly will be the same thing it was last year—attempt to contain Jasmine Lister, and try to stop the Sharks from getting dribble penetration.  Once they do that, the drive-and-kick swings into full effect, and they’re off and running.  Buggs also says to keep an eye out for #21, Crishae Rowe, a freshman who comes off the bench.  “She’s athletic, a leaper, and she can go to the rack,” says Buggs. 

For Poly, the key (aside from the defensive missions above, and good perimeter shooting) will be to try and utilize their height.  Their ability to keep the ball over their heads when they grab offensive boards will be critical, as will their ability to knock down those second-chances—because they will get them.  Poly has five players on the roster who are taller than Santiago’s tallest player: Taijhe Kelly, Sheila Boykin, Kameron Jones, TaNitra Byrd, and Thaddesia Southall.  You can expect to see the ball in the paint plenty for Poly—if Santiago swarms inside to try and hassle Boykin or Byrd, it’ll be up to the guards to knock down the open jumper when it’s kicked back out. 

If the Rabbits can turn this into a jumping contest—well, they’ll be able to start the defense of their state crown next week on a high note.