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Boys basketball: Torrey Pines’ Sullivan is The Coast News Player of the Year

2018 Torrey Pines G Finn Sullivan is The Coast News Player of the Year

REGION — From Dominic Hovasse to Marek Sullivan, Torrey Pines has developed a tradition of role players emerging as stars during their final varsity season.

Finn Sullivan took the tradition to a new level.

The 6-foot-5 senior guard emerged as the heart and soul of the Falcons, which continued its dominance in the Avocado West League this season, going 28-4 and earning a berth in the State Division 1 Playoffs.

Sullivan averaged 18.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.1 steals per game and was named Player of the Year in the Avocado West and to the All-San Diego Section First Team.

And he is The Coast News Player of the Year.

Rancho Buena Vista Head Coach Aaron Abrams

COACH OF THE YEAR

Aaron Abrams, Rancho Buena Vista

Abrams guided the Longhorns (17-12) to a 10-game turnaround from his first season, when the Longhorns went 6-23. RBV scored the biggest upset of the season when they defeated San Marcos 58-54 in overtime. The Longhorns were upset in the first round of the Division 3 playoffs, but return most of their top contributors.

FIRST TEAM

Bryce Pope, 6-2 Jr. G, Torrey Pines — The prolific scoring guard led the Falcons in scoring (22.3 ppg) and had several huge games, including 36 points against Poway and 35 against St. Augustine and Vista.

Taurus Samuels, 6-0 Sr. PG, Vista — The Dartmouth-bound lead guard led the Panthers to a second straight Open Division appearance, leading the Panthers in scoring (19 ppg) to go along with 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

Isaiah Morris, 5-11 Sr. PG, Vista — The emotional heart and soul of the Panthers is headed to CSU Dominguez Hills. Averaged 14 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds per game.

Warren Washington, 6-11 Sr. F, Mission Hills — Headed to Oregon State, Washington willed a young Grizzlies team to the brink of a Division 1 championship game appearance.

Kody Clouet, 6-4 Sr. SG, San Marcos — The senior sharpshooter led the Knights (20.1 ppg) to one of the best seasons in program history and the school’s first appearance in the CIF Open Division playoffs.

Damien Miller, 5-9 Sr. PG, Orange Glen — A triple-double threat every time he steps on the floor, Miller averaged a team-high 16.3 points, 9.2 rebounds and 9.3 assists per game, leading the Patriots to a Division 1 semifinals appearance.

Jalen Flanagan, 6-3 Sr. G, El Camino — The high-scoring senior guard led the Wildcats with 23 point and 8 rebound averages en route to a Division 1 Finals appearance.

JC Canahuate, 6-1 Sr. G, Army Navy — Averaging 27.8 points per game, the All Coastal League first teamer willed the Warriors into games in the section’s toughest league.

Matthew Stevenson, 6-4 Sr. F, Santa Fe Christian — The jack-of-all-trades forward led the Eagles to back-to-back Division 1 championships. Scored 21 points in the second half of the title game against El Camino.

MJ Metz, 6-5, Sr., F, Canyon Crest Academy — The All-Avocado West first team selection was one of the best defenders in the section and led the Ravens to a high seed in the Division 1 playoffs.

SECOND TEAM

Graham Cook, 6-4 Jr. G, La Costa Canyon — All League First team selection in the Avocado West.

Jordan Hilstock, 6-3 Jr. G, Vista — One of the best two-way players in the section, Hilstock averaged 14 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and one block per game.

Michael Pope, 6-2 Jr. G, Torrey Pines — The third Avocado West first team all-league selection from the Falcons averaged 14 points and 4 rebounds per game and was big for the Falcons down the stretch.

Carter Plousha, 6-5 Jr. W, Carlsbad — The leading scorer and top defender for the Lancers led the team to a Division 3 championship game appearance, a 3OT heartbreaking loss to Mount Miguel.

Patrick McLachlan, 6-2 Jr. G, Rancho Buena Vista — The Pittsburgh-area transfer became the Longhorns leader after becoming eligible Jan. 1.

Chris Howell, 6-5 Fr. PG — The first-year guard led the Knights in assists en route to an All Avo East second team selection.

Aaron Acosta, 6-4 Sr. SG, Canyon Crest — The senior averaged 14.6 points per game and hit 73 of 178 threes, the best mark in school history.

Tyler Elsom, 6-2 Sr. G, Canyon Crest — Talented two-way guard was named to the All Avo-West second team.

Chris Olave, 6-2 Sr. G, Mission Hills — The Ohio State-bound football talent was an All Avo East second teamer and had big games for the Grizzlies after his return from the gridiron.

TJ Askew, 6-6 Sr. F, Santa Fe Christian — The Eagles leading scorer on the season was named to the All Coastal League Coaches 2nd team.