DIVISION V-AA

Defending champion: Pasadena Poly.

Top teams--Van Nuys Montclair Prep (20-3), Palos Verdes Chadwick (20-6), Carpinteria Cate (15-2), Pasadena Poly (16-6).

Dark horses: Lawndale Masada (20-0). The Knights, little-known outside of Torrance, bring the only perfect record into the playoffs (although a couple of victories came by forfiet). Capistrano Valley Christian (17-7) brings a confident bunch to the tournament after tearing apart the Academy League. But junior guard Andrew Jennings (21 points) will need to continue his season-long hot hand.

Key players: Brandon Bruce (Cate), Don Edwards (Downey Calvary Chapel), Anwawn Jones (Van Nuys Montclair Prep), Rob Miltner (St. Margaret’s), Mario Perez (Riverside La Sierra), Robert Reeder (Pasadena Poly).

Noteworthy: There are three county teams in the division. . . . Southern California Christian won the Arrowhead League, despite the fact no player averaged more than 11 points. . . . What Hesperia Christian guard Joshua Long lacks in size (5-10) he makes up for in scoring. His 25.8-point average is one of the tournament’s highest. . . . Long Beach St. Anthony junior forward Joe Perry (33 points) leads the Saints’ inside game, and sophomore guard Joe Luyben burns opponents from the outside. Luyben is averaging three three-pointers; he had one game with seven three-pointers in a half.