Participants Set Postseason Sights on Title Roles

Defending champions Westchester, Santa Ana Mater Dei, Compton Dominguez, Torrance Bishop Montgomery, Santa Monica Crossroads and Price are top-seeded teams in their divisions for the City Section and Southern Section basketball playoffs that begin this week.

First-round games in two City divisions are Friday. Some of the Southern Section’s 10 divisions began play Wednesday, but most first-round games are Friday.

The City championship game will be played March 3 at the Forum.

Southern Section championship games will be played March 1-3 at the Pyramid and the Arrowhead Pond.

Here is a look at each division:

CITY SECTION

CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION

Defending champion Westchester (24-1) is regarded as one of the top contenders for a state Division I championship. Guards Brandon Heath and Hassan Adams, center Chad Bell and the rest of the Comets twice overwhelmed second-seeded Fairfax (19-5) in Western League play. Fairfax senior Craig Smith and junior Evan Burns are going to need big games from several teammates if they meet Westchester a third time. Third-seeded Fremont (17-6) has balance. Fourth-seeded Crenshaw (19-5) could be poised for a playoff run.

INVITATIONAL DIVISION

Jordan is the top-seeded team among those ranked 17-32.

SOUTHERN SECTION

DIVISION I-AAA

This is a new division and top-seeded Upland (26-1), which has been on the rise the last three years, is ready to take advantage of the opportunity to win its first section title. Rialto Eisenhower (22-4) is seeded second, Long Beach Poly (22-5) third and Ontario (19-5) fourth.

DIVISION I-AA

El Toro (23-3) is the top-seeded team in what is generally regarded as the weakest of the three subdivisions within Division I. Second-seeded Glendora (22-4) finished behind Upland in the Baseline League. Third-seeded Crescenta Valley (19-6) features sharpshooter Jimmy Goffredo. Thousand Oaks (20-5) is seeded fourth.

DIVISION I-A

Top-seeded Santa Ana Mater Dei (24-2) is led by UCLA-bound guard Cedric Bozeman and Cal-bound center Jamal Sampson. Second-seeded Corona Centennial (24-2) lost only to Upland and Bishop Montgomery. Villa Park (21-4) is seeded third and Irvine Woodbridge (21-4) fourth.

DIVISION II-AA

Senior center Tyson Chandler leads Compton Dominguez (22-2), the defending Division II state champion. Santa Margarita (23-4) is seeded second. Third-seeded Inglewood (21-5) appears headed toward a semifinal showdown against Dominguez. Cathedral City (22-5) is seeded fourth.

DIVISION II-A

Josh Childress, who will play at Stanford, and Edwin Draughan, who will play at Yale, led Lakewood Mayfair (22-2) to the top spot in the division. Second-seeded Redondo Union (21-5) tied Inglewood for the Bay League title behind UCLA-bound guard Dijon Thompson. Joe Frazier leads third-seeded Pasadena Muir (24-2), and Marcus Crane is the top player for third-seeded Huntington Beach Ocean View (20-6).

DIVISION III-AA

Defending state Division III champion Torrance Bishop Montgomery (22-2), led by USC-bound twins Errick and Derrick Craven, is an overwhelming favorite to repeat. San Dimas (23-3) is seeded second. Ridgecrest Burroughs (21-3), featuring USC-bound center Rory O’Neil, is third and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame (21-5) fourth.

DIVISION IV-AA

Encino Crespi (19-6), which tied Sherman Oaks Notre Dame for the Mission League title, is the top-seeded team in this 16-team division. Cathedral (15-9) is seeded second, Ventura St. Bonaventure (17-6) third and Orange Lutheran (12-11) fourth.

DIVISION IV-A

Defending champion Crossroads (19-5) is the top-seeded team in this eight-team division. Olympic League champion Santa Ana Calvary Chapel (19-5) is seeded second, Santa Monica St. Monica (19-7) third and Burbank Providence (15-8) fourth.

DIVISION V-AA

Verbum Dei (20-5) is seeded No. 1 in this 53-team division. Second-seeded Downey Calvary Chapel (22-4) is led by Tim Drisdom, one of the top guards in the Southland. Sherman Oaks Buckley (21-3) is seeded third, Malibu Kilpatrick (22-1) fourth.

DIVISION V-A

Price (24-3), the defending Division V state champion, is seeded first. Antelope Valley Christian (18-6) is second, Stoneridge Prep (16-8) third and West L.A. Baptist (13-6) fourth.