SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS’ BASKETBALL PREVIEW : DIVISION II-AA, II-A : Artesia High’s ‘Super Sophs’ Appear to Be Unstoppable

Let’s get real for just a moment. The Southern Section’s Division II-A playoffs are merely a formality. Go ahead and give Artesia High School the championship trophy and then get on with the state playoffs. It’s strictly no contest.

Artesia’s “super soph” front line of 6-foot-11 center Lavondre Jones, 6-5 forward Charles O’Bannon and 6-4 forward James Cotton is an unbeatable combination. And it will be for two more years.

Artesia’s only losses have come against defending Division I-AA champion Long Beach Poly and national power DeMatha of Hyattsville, Md.

“San Marcos is solid, but they’re the only team that can play with Artesia,” said Chris Burton, Fullerton coach. “After those two, it’s wide open. We have a pool at school, and I have Artesia playing Kennedy in one semifinal and Norwalk playing San Marcos in the other.”

Second-seeded San Marcos was the runner-up in the division last year and returns four starters. Center Rob Ramaker, a 6-9 junior, is the division’s best player, averaging 20.9 points and 8.9 rebounds.

“I like San Marcos’ experience,” said Ed Matillo, Buena Park coach. “I know Artesia has all that talent, but experience is a big factor when you get down to playing in the Sports Arena.”

Woodbridge, seeded third, is the highest-regarded county team, but the Warriors hardly looked like a worthy candidate for the title in an 82-46 loss to Tustin for the Sea View League title.

Kennedy won the 3-A division title in 1989 and 6-9 center Jermaine Galloway can create problems for any opponent. Kennedy has also been bolstered by the return of three-year starting guard Rod Rosales, the only holdover from its championship team.

The Division II-AA playoff picture shapes up this way: J.W. North has the athletes, Gahr has the dominant player in Brandon Titus, Glendora has the sensational freshman in Cameron Murray and Tustin has the best starting five.

And the winner is . . . Tustin, but only if the Tillers can get by Edison in the quarterfinals this time around.

“I like Tustin,” said Ed Prange, Loara coach. “They’re the best-shooting team. You won’t find a better shooter on the high school level than David Beilstein.”

Unless it’s Cameron Murray, Glendora’s 5-11 guard who is the younger brother of UCLA star Tracy Murray. Cameron has already made a name for himself at Glendora, averaging 23.1 points and making 77 three-point baskets.

Teammate Adam Jacobsen, a sophomore guard, averages 16.4 points and has made 97 three-pointers.

Another super sophomore is Muir guard Jacque Vaughn, younger brother of former Cal State Fullerton player Marlon Vaughn. Vaughn averages 19 points and 10 assists.

Titus, a junior guard, is the division’s best player. He averages 26.4 points and has made 51 three-point baskets.

North features a balanced attack with Terreno Butler (14.1 points), Quincy Brewer (13.0) and Oric Benjamin (9.9) leading the way.

A matchup between Tustin and J.W. North is a likely final, but naturally, Tustin Coach Tom McCluskey wouldn’t dare to envision a championship game.

“Hey, I’m worried about our first game against San Clemente,” he said. “You look at the bracket sheet and the possibility of playing Edison just pops out at you. But I learned a long time ago to take things one game at a time.”

II--A

Defending champion: Artesia.

Top teams: Artesia (20-2), San Marcos (23-2), Woodbridge (16-8), Palm Desert (17-6).

Top players: DeAndre Austin (Artesia), Charles O’Bannon (Artesia), Angel Barrios (Buena Park), Mike Fenton (Woodbridge), Jermaine Galloway (Kennedy), Lavondre Jones (Artesia), Don McGrew (Norwalk), Kevin Nolen (Norte Vista), Rob Ramaker (San Marcos).

Dark horses: Kennedy (16-8), Norwalk (16-6).

Best draw: Fullerton (12-12). Drew a home game in the first round against Temple City (12-13) despite finishing third in a weak league and then likely will meet Valencia (15-7) in the second round.

Worst draw: Buena Park (16-8). Drew Rio Mesa (a misleading 11-13) in the first round and would face a tough Norwalk team in the second round.

Notes: Defending champion Artesia, the best all-star team this side of Mater Dei, has only four losses the past two seasons and starts three of the nation’s best sophomores--O’Bannon, Jones and James Cotton. Woodbridge has averaged 15 victories per year over the past 10 years.

II--AA

Defending champion: Glendora.

Top teams: J.W. North (20-3), Muir (20-4), Tustin (21-4), Gahr (22-4).

Top players: David Beilstein (Tustin), Terreno Butler (J.W. North), Thomas Clayton (Tustin), David Harbour (Camarillo), Brandon Jessie (Edison), Sean Martin (Agoura), Cameron Murray (Glendora), Jonah Naulls (Beverly Hills), Brandon Titus (Gahr), Jacque Vaughn (Muir), Tes Whitlock (Loara).

Dark horse: Edison (19-6).

Best draw: Glendora (22-4). Wouldn’t play a quality team until the quarterfinals; good bet to reach the semifinals against top-seeded J.W. North.

Worst draw: Tustin (21-4). Likely plays red-hot Orange with seven consecutive victories in the second round and then Edison in the quarterfinals. Edison eliminated Tustin, 45-43, last year.

Notes: Among J.W. North’s 20 victories is a 55-54 win over Mater Dei. Tustin has three victories against highly regarded Capistrano Valley, Marina and Millikan of Division IA and IAA. Three of Muir’s four losses came against City Section schools Crenshaw, Washington and Westchester. Whitlock is the best player in the division, averaging 33.5 points.