Dogs and Cats clash at the Border: The Full-Time Hoops Game of the Week

Edit by Kyle Doiron

The opening week of the San Diego season has brought us some exciting matchups over the past few years. In recent years, it's been via the San Diego Tip-Off Challenge at Montgomery High, which has brought thousands out to watch many of the region's top programs and to get a glimpse at Sierra Canyon, a Southern Section powerhouse with a magnetic draw of star power.

This year, however, all eyes will be on San Ysidro High at 7 p.m. Friday, when San Diego's preseason No. 1 team, the Cougars, square off against the Southern Section's preseason No. 1 team, Corona Centennial.

The one-night "Borderboyz Showcase" features two games: No. 3 La Costa Canyon vs No. 5 Mission Bay will precede the main event at 5:30 p.m.

The final game features four Top 100 prospects: San Ysidro seniors Mikey Williams and 6-8 Donda Academy transfer JJ Taylor, who are both committed to Memphis; and Corona Centennial seniors Jared McCain (Duke signee) and 6-10 Devin Williams (UCLA signee).

The Huskies' starting five also includes LMU signee Aaron McBride, three-star senior guard Mikey Price and highly touted 2024 guard Eric Freeny.

Mission Bay and La Costa Canyon both begin the season with Open Division aspirations. The Mavericks feature All CIF selection Christian Brown, a 6-5 wing, and 6-3 senior guard Ty Hendler, who is headed to Colorado College. The Buccaneers have a strong young core headlined by 6-7 junior forward Charlie Hutchison and the team's senior leader, 6-4 Thomas Metcalf.

Other games I'll be watching this week:

San Diego Tip-Off Challenge, Wednesday - Saturday at Montgomery HS.

Sierra Canyon is not playing this season, but the event features seven of my Top 11 teams countywide, including No. 1 San Ysidro and No. 2 St. Augustine.

Before the Cougars face Corona Centennial, they will face a tough Cathedral Catholic team Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

St. Augustine squares off against No. 4 Montgomery Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

The final marquee matchup at 6 p.m. Saturday features Montgomery and La Costa Canyon.

Check this tweet for the full schedule.

Madison Regional Rumble, Saturday Nov. 19 - Saturday, Nov. 26 at Madison, Mira Mesa and Lincoln HS

The Regional Rumble features 15 teams participating in a pool-play tournament, headlined by St. Augustine, Lincoln, Mission Hills, Otay Ranch, Mission Viejo and Helix, among others.

Saturday's opening day schedule includes:

Victory Christian vs Madison, 10:30 a.m. at Madison

Poway vs Oceanside, 1:30 p.m. at Madison

Mission Hills vs La Jolla, 4:30 pm.. at Madison

Parker vs Lincoln, 4:30 p.m. at Lincoln

St. Augustine vs Westview, 7:30 p.m. at Madison

Visit regionalrumble.com for the complete schedule.