Girls Playoff Preview City and Southern Sections Divisions I-IV
Jack Pollon
February 14, 2010
GIRLS
City Section Division I
1. Taft of Woodland Hills
2. Washington Prep of Los Angeles
3. Carson
4. Narbonne of Harbor City
Locals in the draw: Chatsworth, Kennedy of Granada Hills
TEAM TO KEEP AN EYE ON
Narbonne. The Gauchos are always tough and just got back Kim Pickett,
a transfer from View Park Prep of Los Angeles, who was nursing an
injury that kept her out of almost all of the Marine League games.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Monica Jackson, Chatsworth, Sr. An absolute scoring machine that can
turn a game in a matter of seconds. Jackson averaged around 30 points
per contest and is capable of putting the team on her back in crunch
time.
OUTLOOK
The division is wide-open as a number of teams can win it all. Look
for Taft and Washington to be there at the end but don't count out
Narbonne or a talented Farifax of Los Angeles team, led by freshman
John'ea Thompson.
Division II
1. El Camino Real of Woodland Hills
2. South East of South Gate
3. Granada Hills
4. Roosevelt of Los Angeles
Locals in the draw: Reseda, Eagle Rock, Grant of Van Nuys, Arleta,
Van Nuys, Panorama.
TEAM TO KEEP AN EYE ON
Grant. The Lancers came back from a horrendous start to their season
by sharing the East Valley League championship with Poly of Sun
Valley. If Grant can get by Reseda and No. 3 Granada Hills, it could
end up in the championship game.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Vanessa Aguilar, Grant. The senior, who became eligible after
transferring back to Grant from Hart of Newhall has flirted with
quadruple-doubles the last two weeks. Aguilar is another player like
Jackson that can put a team on her back for long stretches.
OUTLOOK
El Camino Real is about the closest thing to a lock in the playoffs.
The Conquistadores won the West Valley League for the first time
since 1999 and would be a favorite in Div. I. ECR can get its fingers
sized for rings now.
Division III
1. Monroe of North Hills
2. Birmingham of Lake Balboa
3. Huntington Park
4. Garfield of Los Angeles
Locals in the draw: Sylmar, Poly of Sun Valley, North Hollywood, San
Fernando, East Valley of North Hollywood
TEAM TO KEEP AN EYE ON
Birmingham. The Patriots own victories against Taft and Chatsworth
and could give the West Valley League three City champions in one
season if Taft or Chatsworth get it done in Div. I and ECR or Granada
Hills takes care of business in Div. II.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Ayisat Afolabi, Monroe. The freshman fit right in to coach Quincy
Brooks' system and meshed with upperclassmen Ani Avanessian. Afolabi
routinely had double-doubles while leading the Vikings to an
undefeated Valley Mission League season.
OUTLOOK
Monroe and Birmingham should be in an all-valley final. Can Monroe
beat a battle tested team or will Birmingham's strength of schedule
and experience prevail.
SOUTHERN SECTION GIRLS
TOP FOUR SEEDS
Div. I-AA
1. Long Beach Poly 23-2
2. Santiago of Corona 24-2
3. Troy 22-1
4. Etiwanda 21-6
LOCALS IN THE DRAW: Palmdale, Quartz Hill, Knight of Palmdale
TEAM TO KEEP AN EYE ON
Cajon of San Bernardino. Cajon finished 24-3, won the San Andreas
League and only need to get by Etiwanda to reach the semifinals.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Lindsay Scherbert, Great Oak. Scherbert averaged 27 points per game
and has been selected to the McDonalds All-American game and the Nike
Women's Basketball Coaches Association all-star game in San Antonio.
OUTLOOK
Long Beach Poly is 23-2, the top-ranked team in the division and you
can never bet against coach Carl Buggs in the playoffs. Poly has
superstar Ariyah Crook-Williams and owns an impressive victory
against nationally-ranked Whitney Young of Chicago.
Div. I-A
1. Canyon Springs of Moreno Valley 23-3
2. Santa Monica 20-6
3. Ayala of Chino Hills 19-6
4. Summit of Fontana 22-5
LOCALS IN THE DRAW: Crescenta Valley of la Crescenta, Valencia
TEAM TO KEEP AN EYE ON
Ayala of Chino Hills. The Bulldogs went undefeated in the
Sierra League and feature talented seniors Ariel Marsh, Rhema Gardner
and Krishawn Tennies. Sophomore Jillian Alleyne is not bad either.
Ayala also owns an impressive victory against Chatsworth.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Cassie Pappas, Crescenta Valley, Sr. Pappas is a scoring machine who
doesn’t force anything and makes her teammates better. Pappas led the
Falcons (22-5) to second place behind Muir of Pasadena in the Pacific
League.
OUTLOOK
The top four seeds are all capable but Santa Monica, behind standouts
Thea Lemberger and Moriah Faulk is the pick to win it all.
Div. II-AA
1. Brea-Olinda of Brea 26-2
2. Villa Park 20-7
3. Edison of Huntinton Beach 20-4
4. Ventura (22-4)
LOCALS IN THE DRAW: West Ranch of Stevenson Ranch, Royal of Simi
Valley, Canyon of Canyon Country, Thousand Oaks, Burroughs of Burbank
TEAM TO KEEP AN EYE ON
Canyon. The Cowboys finished 19-6, won the Foothill League and have
flourished under the direction of new coach Chuck Johns, an Indiana
transplant. Brooke Lemar is a talented guard headed to Southern
Illinois.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Bonnie Samuelson, Edison. The junior scoring machine is one of the
best in the state having gone over 30 points nine times.
OUTLOOK
Brea-Olinda is the best team and it owns an impressive victory
against Mater Dei of Santa Ana.
Div. II-A
1. Mater Dei of Santa Ana 24-1
2. Diamond Ranch 20-1
3. Woodbridge 23-5
4. Laguna Hills 22-3
LOCALS IN THE DRAW: Rio Mesa of Oxanrd, Camarillo,
Newbury Park, Moorpark, Westlake
TEAM TO KEEP AN EYE ON
Beverly Hills. The Normans (17-11) finished third in the tough Ocean
League but were still seeded No. 5 in this division. Inglewood and
Santa Monica are both seeded No. 2 in their divisions.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Kaleena Lewis, Mater Dei, Jr. Lewis does it all for the one-loss
Monarchs, scoring and handling the ball. At 6'3, she is one of the most coveted underclass recruits in the country and was named the Orange County
Register’s player of the week three different times.
OUTLOOK
Nobody can beat Mater Dei. The are simply that good. Many teams will try, including No. 2 Diamond Ranch of Pomona but it lost to Alemany of Mission Hills, not a good loss if you are trying to beat one of the nations best.
Div. III-AA
1. Agoura 26-0
2. Inglewood 22-5
3. Bishop Amat of La Punete 19-6
4. Buena of Ventura 18-8
LOCALS IN THE DRAW: None besides Agoura
TEAM TO KEEP AN EYE ON
Agoura. The Chargers best players are seniors Brittany Oster and Sasha Borenstein and sophomore Kylie Cunningham. Agoura has a sparkling record but hasn't been tested too many times and it will be interesting to see if the Chargers came come through in a tough road game if they are behind.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Hazel Ramirez, Inglewood, Sr. The steady floor-leader averages 13 points per game, shoots over 40% from the floor and 86% from the free-throw line.
OUTLOOK
It is very rare for a team to undefeated so look for Inglewood or Bishop Amat to challenge but Agoura has answered every question thus far this season and it could be the magical year for a team that won its first league championship in school history.
Div. III-A
1. Santa Margarita of Rancho Santa Margarita
2. Barstow 20-2
3. Muir of Pasadena 17-7
4. Bonita of La Verne 21-3
LOCALS IN THE DRAW: Calabasas, Littlerock.
TEAM TO KEEP AN EYE ON
Santa Barbara. The Dons finished second in the Channel league but have victories against powers Ventura and Buena of Ventura.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Victoria Yutronich, Palos Verdes, So. This ultra-talented guard averages 11 points, five rebounds, seven assists, three steals and a block.
OUTLOOK
This divison is not very scary so don’t forget about Pacific League
champion Muir of Pasadena. The Mustangs might have the chemistry and
experience to win it all.
Div. IV-AA
1. Harvard-Westlake 26-1
2. Bishop Montgomery of Torrance 22-6
3. Orange Lutheran 19-5
4. La Canada 23-3
LOCALS IN THE DRAW: Antelope Valley of Lancaster, Alemany of Mission Hills, Chaminade of West Hills, Oak Park, Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks.
TEAM TO KEEP AN EYE ON
Antelope Valley. The Antelopes went 24-2 and have the sections biggest one-season turnaround after going 4-21 last year. A.V. went 20-76 in the four season prior to this one. Yvette Bennett and Quartz Hill transfers Keoina Matthews and Destini Price have transformed Antelope Valley along with fiery coach D.J. Hein.
PLAYER TO WATCH
N.C. State-bound Kody Burke, Notre Dame, Sr.; Princeton-bound Nicole Hung, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.; UCSB-bound Nicole Nesbit, Harvard-Westlake, Sr; Lauren Varney, Oak Park, Sr.; Trinidee Trice, Alemany, Sr.; Angelica Sahagun, Alemany, Sr., Courtney McCutchan, La Canada, Sr. Take your pick of local standouts.
OUTLOOK
This division is Harvard-Westlake's to lose. The Wolverines have only lost to Mater Dei, are ranked No. 5 in the state by Cal-Hi Sports and are ranked No. 1 in the state in Div. IV.
Div. IV-A
1. Bell-Jeff 22-5
2. St. Joseph of Santa Maria 22-4
3. Oaks Christian of Westlake Village 22-4
4. Windward of Los Angeles 15-9
LOCALS IN THE DRAW: Louisville of Woodland Hills, La Reina of Thousand Oaks, Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth, Malibu, Village Christian of Sun Valley, Flintridge Sacred Heart of La Canada-Flintridge, L.A. Baptist of North Hills
TEAM TO KEEP AN EYE ON
Sierra Canyon. A lot of attention has been paid to the top four seeds but the Trailblazers are on the cusp of greatness. Coach T.J. Knox guided Sierra Canyon to a Div. VI-A championship a year ago and has a talented roster of underclassmen.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Brianna Barrett, Oaks Christian, So. Barrett might be the quickest, most athletic player in the division but still needs to work on consistency with her shot and decision making in the open-court. She is being recruited by most PAC-10 schools and a few others nationally.
OUTLOOK
Bell-Jeff has played the toughest schedule by far, has victory against Oaks Christian and received a firs-round bye but can it get through four more tough games getting ever other teams best performance.