In early October, the California high school basketball landscape got its first look at two very different programs on two very different timelines. Santa Margarita High School, fresh off a gritty loss to an athletic and physical Southern California Academy, took the floor against Great Oak High School. Great Oak is a rising program from Temecula quietly building its own identity. On paper, it looked like a mismatch. In reality, it was a preseason measuring stick.
Santa Margarita: A Preview of a CIF Open Division Contender
Even without star guard Kaden Bailey (Georgia Tech commit), Santa Margarita looked the part of a top-tier CIF Open Division team. The Eagles jumped on Great Oak early and never looked back, controlling tempo, space, and rhythm in a game that ended 67 – 44 but didn’t feel that close. The story started with their Pac-12 duo, Brayden Kyman (Washington State commit) and Drew Anderson (Oregon State commit) both of whom showcased why college coaches trust their maturity and polish.
Anderson played like a veteran. His footwork, patience, and ball fakes were textbook. These are the types of subtle nuances that separate prospects from players. He didn’t need to force anything; he let the game come to him, scoring efficiently inside and creating for others when help defenders collapsed.
Meanwhile, Kyman bullied his way through Great Oak’s interior. His combination of size, strength, and confidence made him nearly unguardable in stretches. He established a deep post position, stepped out to stretch the floor, and punished mismatches with physicality that screamed college readiness.
Even with Bailey sidelined, Santa Margarita’s perimeter game was sharp. They shot the three ball with confidence, spreading the floor and creating clean looks off inside-out ball movement. It’s easy to imagine what this team will look like when all three pieces of Bailey, Kyman, and Anderson share the floor. When that happens, the Eagles will have three legitimate Division I-caliber options, and that balance could make them one of the most dangerous teams in California come playoff time.
Great Oak: A Program on the Rise
Across the court stood a Great Oak squad that just a few years ago wouldn’t have been in this kind of conversation. But things have changed in Temecula. After multiple Southern Section playoff appearances, Great Oak has quietly built one of the region’s most intriguing programs, a mix of homegrown development and smart additions from nearby schools.
Their preseason opener against a less competitive opponent allowed the coaching staff to distribute minutes evenly, playing 15 different players and getting a look at their full rotation. But against Santa Margarita, reality hit harder and that’s exactly what the Wolfpack needed.
The brightest takeaway came from junior forward Kindal “KP” Patton, the younger brother of 2023 Southern Section standout Kevin Patton Jr. At 6’4”, KP was undersized compared to Santa Margarita’s frontline, but you wouldn’t have known it watching him battle. Matched up with the 6’8” Drew Anderson, KP blocked multiple shots, ran the floor in transition, and played with a motor that fueled several Great Oak fast breaks.
His soft touch around the basket and confidence from beyond the arc gives him a versatile scoring package. While he may project as an undersized forward right now, his athleticism, timing, and quick second jump allow him to compete against taller players and win many of those battles.
Given his family pedigree and work ethic, don’t be surprised if KP’s name starts to enter recruiting conversations by the end of this season.
Depth, Development, and the Backcourt Duo
What makes Great Oak especially interesting is the emerging core around Patton.
Senior guard Dario Johnson brings elite athleticism and slashing ability, while junior point guard Jaxon Allensworth provides poise, shot creation, and leadership. Allensworth, who became a local legend after sinking a buzzer-beater against Crespi in the 2024 Southern Section playoffs, has evolved from a promising freshman into a legitimate college-level prospect. Both guards are left-handed, an unusual but effective combination that creates matchup problems for defenders. Allensworth’s range stretches defenses, and Johnson’s explosiveness keeps them honest. The chemistry between the two gives Great Oak’s backcourt a balance of finesse and force.
The New Additions and Interior Strength
Transfers Jaedin Perry (Rancho Verde) and Hudson Hoopingarner (Rancho Christian) have already made an impact. Perry’s experience and steady presence add maturity to the lineup, while Hoopingarner, a 6’6” sophomore with a strong build and fluid stride gives the Wolfpack an athletic frontcourt presence.
Hoopingarner runs the floor exceptionally well for his size and is capable of finishing above the rim or stretching the defense with a smooth midrange jumper. When he and Patton share the floor, Great Oak suddenly looks balanced inside as well as capable of defending, rebounding, and even spacing the floor.
If the coaching staff can find consistent minutes for the two to play together, it could be the key to unlocking Great Oak’s best version this season.
Looking Ahead
For Santa Margarita, the message was clear; even without all their pieces, they look every bit like a CIF Open Division team. With their size, skill, and depth, this group will challenge anyone in the state once Kaden Bailey rejoins the lineup.
For Great Oak, the takeaways were equally valuable. They saw what an elite team looks like up close. They found bright spots, saw their younger players hold their own, and left with confidence that they can compete in their division.
The Wolfpack may still be Temecula’s best-kept secret, sitting in the shadow of nearby Rancho Christian. But with talent growing from within, and new faces adding depth, this group is inching toward breaking that label.
The scoreboard didn’t tell the whole story. Santa Margarita’s dominance was expected. But Great Oak’s resilience, fight, and flashes of brilliance were impossible to ignore.
As the season unfolds, both programs will chase different goals. For Santa Margarita, it’s championship contention. For Great Oak, it’s respect and that might be the most dangerous motivation of al