10 players to watch in San Diego Section Open Division boys basketball playoffs

Jurian Dixon begins his quest for a third CIF title when St. Augustine opens their playoff run against Mater Dei Catholic on Friday.

The San Diego Section Open Division playoffs are one day away. The eight-team, single-elimination bracket tips off tomorrow night with four games across the San Diego Section.

Here are 10 players to watch in the bracket that are expected to have a big impact if their teams are able to advance.

(Lead photo by Justin Fine)

Check out the Open Division bracket here.

Players are listed in alphabetical order

10 PLAYERS TO WATCH IN SAN DIEGO SECTION OPEN DIVISION

JJ Bartelloni - G - Torrey Pines - Senior

Bartelloni has taken a lead role for the Falcons, averaging 19 points per game. He's shooting 41 percent from three-point range on the season and has knocked down 40 over his past 11 games.

Christian Brown - G/F - La Costa Canyon - Senior

Brown has been named first team all-league two years in a row and was a first team All-San Diego Section after averaging 19 points per game as a junior. He had a career high 45 points in a win over Notre Dame (AZ) during the Holiday Classic in December.

Jurian Dixon - G/F - St. Augustine - Senior

Dixon is one of San Diego's most experienced players, having won a CIF title during his freshman season at San Ysidro and another with the Saints last season. The reigning CIF Player of the Year will play a big role if St. Augustine is able to repeat as Open Division champions.

Tony Duckett - G - Carlsbad - Junior

Duckett has made a huge jump in his game from a year ago, doubling his scoring average to over 18 points per game. He's shooting 51 percent from three-point range so far this season and averaged two blocks per game.

Kristian Gonzalez - G - Mater Dei Catholic - Senior

Gonzalez, a Sacramento State-signee, averaged 20 points and five rebounds per game during the regular season. He's helped lead the Crusaders to big wins over Carlsbad and San Ysidro over the past couple months.

Jake Hall - G - Carlsbad - Sophomore

Hall averaged 22 points per game last season as a freshman and has upped that total to 26 per game this year. He's also averaging seven rebounds and four assists per game and is closing in on 1,500 career points in just his first two seasons.

Brycen Mackenzie - G - Santa Fe Christian - Junior

Mackenzie helped lead the Eagles back into the Open Division playoffs while being named Coastal League Player of the Year. He scored 36 points against Del Norte in January and picked up his first offer, from Idaho State days later.

JJ Sanchez - G - Montgomery - Sophomore

Sanchez recently passed the 1,000-career point mark in his second straight season as the leading scorer for Montgomery. He routinely stuffs the stat sheet, averaging five rebounds, five assists and three steals per game for the third-seeded Aztecs.

JJ Taylor - F - San Ysidro - Senior

Photo by Justin Fine

Taylor transferred in from Donda Academy prior to the season and has made the most of the opportunity in his only season with the Cougars. The Memphis-signee is averaging 26 points and seven rebounds per game and went for a season-high 44 points against Otay Ranch last month.

Mikey Williams - G - San Ysidro - Senior

Photo by Justin Fine

In his return to San Diego, Williams is averaging 24 points and nine assists per game. Williams and fellow Memphis-signee JJ Taylor must be at their best against a tough playoff road ahead if they want to get San Ysido back to a second straight Open Division championship game.