Division V at a Glance

Defending Champion: Santa Monica Crossroads.

Top Teams: Cerritos Valley Christian (19-3-1), Lancaster Paraclete (20-5), Crossroads (20-6), Thousand Oaks La Reina (14-9).

Dark Horse: Whittier Christian (9-9).

Top Players: Jennifer Abramson (Crossroads), Shane Anderson (La Reina), Anne Cunningham (Southern California Christian), Ashley Gayer (Paraclete), Deborah Goddu (Whittier Christian), Jamie Johnston (Paraclete), Jennifer Melone (Calvary Chapel), Tracey Milburn (Moorpark), Michelle Nuesca (La Reina), Kiana Peters (Murrieta Valley), Susie Schoales (Valley Christian), Jessica Schulman (Crossroads), Sarah Van Diest (Valley Christian), Kathy Zimmerman (Alverno).

Best Draw: Paraclete. Nobody is standing between the Spirits and a matchup with Crossroads in the semifinals.

Worst Draw: Fillmore (14-7) might have to face Moorpark, Oak Park and Crossroads in the first three rounds.

Notes: Valley Christian started 0-3, while five of its players were busy winning a Southern Section Division IV-A basketball championship. Since then, the Crusaders have not lost and should at least match their semifinal appearance of last year. . . Murrieta Valley (17-4) was runner-up to Crossroads a year ago without a senior on its squad, and the veteran Nighthawks might surprise Valley Christian in the quarterfinals. . . Calvary Chapel (11-16) struggled against an upgraded schedule this year, but it paid off as the Eagles knocked off Brethren Christian in a playoff game Friday to earn a playoff berth.