Prep Wednesday : SOUTHERN SECTION BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS PREVIEWS : 5-AA : The Old Guard Should Keep Pace : Newcomers Abound, but Familiar Teams Won’t Fade Away

Since 1984, the Southern Section’s large-school division for boys’ basketball has gone from calling itself the 4-A to the 5-A to this season’s 5-AA. In this case, the name isn’t the only thing that has been changed.

The playoff bracket is twice as big--a product of the Southern Section’s expanded playoff format--having gone from the usual 16-team bracket to this season’s 32.

Not only are there more teams, but many of them aren’t familiar to the large-school division. A fact that caused one assistant coach to gasp, “Who are these guys?”

Well, they’re newcomers such as Nogales, Palm Springs and Central, which are located outside the main bounds--i.e. Los Angeles and Orange counties--of the Southern Section.

“I couldn’t even tell you where Central was,” said Jim McClune, St. Bernard’s coach.

It’s in El Centro, a fact McClune should learn because his team might play Central in the second round.

Even with the new blood, look for the old guard to be around come championship time. Last season, three of the final four teams were from the Angelus League. This season, the Moore League has placed five teams in the 5-AA playoffs--the sixth Moore League team, Compton High, is in the 4-A playoffs.

Still, unlike seasons past, there isn’t a prohibitive favorite going into the playoffs. No awesome Long Beach Poly, Mater Dei or Bishop Amat squad that is clearly the team to beat.

Saddleback (24-1) is seeded No. 1, having earned that designation by playing a stifling defense that allowed an average of 48 points a game.

Still, there are some questions about Saddleback’s depth. Pat Quinn, Saddleback’s coach, says he is comfortable using seven players, “eight if I’m really pushed.”

Mater Dei (23-2), which has won four consecutive large-school championships, is seeded second. Its two losses have come to Saddleback.

The Monarchs, who in the past have relied on exceptional talents such as Tom Lewis and LeRon Ellis, won last season’s championship without a big name. There are no big names on this season’s squad, though guard Dylan Rigdon is averaging 19 points a game. Like Saddleback, Mater Dei plays smart and wins with defense, giving up just 51 points a game.

Saddleback and Mater Dei received first-round byes, which means both schools will be in the second round on Friday, but it doesn’t thrill their coaches.

“I’d rather play,” Quinn said.

“It means four days of practice,” said Gary McKnight, Mater Dei coach. “I’m not looking forward to that.”

Preseason favorite Lakewood (20-6) is seeded No. 3, having lost several games to nationally ranked teams in a Las Vegas tournament. Lakewood, led by forward Bryan Camper who averages 21.2 points a game, won the very tough Moore League title.

The Moore League’s six teams combined for a 68-23 record outside of league play, a 75% winning percentage.

“Having gone through the type of league season we just finished, I don’t think you can count any of the Moore League teams out,” said Jim Ferguson, Long Beach Wilson coach. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see three or four of us still around when we’re down to the quarterfinals.”

True enough, the 5-AA’s dark horses are both from the Moore League. Long Beach Millikan finished second in the league and was 20-6 overall.

Long Beach Jordan is the true sleeper. A 15-8 record belies the fact that the Panthers beat Loyola (20-2), seeded No. 3 in 5-AA, and were the only team to beat Lakewood in league play.

Another team to watch is St. Bernard (21-5), which has the division’s top player in Ed Stokes. Stokes, a 6-foot-11 center who has signed to play at Arizona next season, is averaging 27 points and 17 rebounds a game.

5-AA IN A BOX Teams to beat: Saddleback (24-1), Mater Dei (23-2) and Lakewood (20-6).

Dark horses: Long Beach Jordan (15-8), Millikan (20-6) and St. Bernard (21-5).

Players to watch: Bryan Camper (Lakewood), Ernest Killum (Lyn- wood) and Ed Stokes (St. Bernard).

Best first-round games: Jordan vs. Antelope Valley, L.B. Wilson vs. St. Bernard, L.B. Poly vs. Lynwood.

Final Four prediction: Saddle- back vs. Lakewood, Millikan vs. Mater Dei.