OCVarsity has the pairings and analysis for all of the CIF-SS girls basketball divisions.
DIVISION 1A
Top four seeds: 1. ML King; 2. Esperanza; 3. Huntington Beach; 4. Bishop Montgomery
Playoff dates: First round (Feb. 16), Second round (Feb. 18), Quarterfinals (Feb. 22), Semifinals (Feb. 25), Championship game (March 3 or 4).
CONNOLLY’S COMMENTS: Like 1AA, the second- and third-seeded teams are local squads in Esperanza and Huntington Beach. The Aztecs are undefeated against any squad not named Brea Olinda. Esperanza went 23-3 in the regular season with all three losses coming against the Ladycats. It beat Huntington Beach by five in December, and if the seedings hold true, the two will square off again. … Oilers senior Frankie Wade-Sanchez has played lights out this year and as the county’s second-leading scorer (21.4 points per game), her and fellow veteran Kaylyn Nakaji have a knack for hitting big shots in crunch time. Their experience could pay huge dividends in a potential rematch with Esperanza. … ML King sits atop the bracket, and while it was thought of for most of the season as an Open Division team, the Wolves remained in 1A. … Bishop Montgomery – which beat Los Alamitos twice – is also a threat on the top half of the bracket.
All games 7 p.m. unless noted.
FIRST ROUND
THURSDAY, FEB. 16
ML King, bye
Diamond Bar at Yucaipa
Kennedy/La Palma at Valley View
Edison at Mira Costa
Antelope Valley, bye
Westminster at El Rancho
Cypress at Agoura
South Torrance at Bishop Montgomery
Huntington Beach, bye
El Dorado at Summit
Murrieta Valley at Duarte
Hart at Buena
Redlands East Valley at La Canada
Riverside North at Victor Valley
Cantwell-Sacred Heart at Patriot
Tesoro at Esperanza
