SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFF PREVIEW : DIVISION III : Estancia, Servite Hope to Meet Again for Title

For two years, Estancia’s Matt Fuerbringer and Servite’s Adam Anderson have crossed paths in the Southern Section and state playoffs. They’d like to meet again.

“That would be great,” Anderson said.

“Yeah, I’d like that,” Fuerbringer said.

It would mean that good things had happened for their respective teams.

For Estancia and Servite to meet, they would have to make it to the championship game of the Southern Section III-AA playoffs, which begin tonight.

Estancia is seeded second, while Servite is unseeded but has won five of its past six games.

Considering their history, the idea of an Eagles-Friars showdown might not be too far-fetched.

Estancia won a State title last year, and a Southern Section title two years ago. Servite won a Southern Section last year, and a State title the year before.

But Estancia has ruled head-to-head meetings.

“I’m just glad Servite is in the other bracket,” Estancia Coach Tim O’Brien said. “They are the team I was worried about.”

Said Servite Coach Richard Smith: “Tim’s glad, I’m ecstatic.”

The Eagles beat Servite in overtime to win the Southern Section III-AA title two years ago. Last season, they won again, knocking off the Friars in the Southern California Regional Division III semifinals and then going on to win the State title.

Fuerbringer, a 6-foot-7 center, and Anderson, a 6-5 forward, have been there for it all.

The two have become friends and played some pickup games together last spring. But if they meet again, it will be all business.

“I really would like another shot at them,” Anderson said. “It’s become kind of a rivalry. It would be fun.”

More so for Anderson if the Friars won. They were III--A champions last season and State Division III champions in 1990.

But at this point, a victory over Estancia might mean more. “Yeah, they’ve gotten us twice,” Anderson said.

The Friars have four starters back from last season’s team. They struggled midway through the season and were 1-3 after four Angelus League games. But their only loss since has been to Mater Dei, the top-seeded team in I-A.

Anderson, who has signed a letter of intent with Santa Clara, has been a key part of that resurgence. Earlier in the season, he was hobbled by two sprained ankles, but has been strong down the stretch.

He averages 12.7 points and 7.1 rebounds. And he’s been down the playoff route before.

“We know that this is the second season,” Anderson said. “For the seniors, it comes down to not having the season end.”

Estancia has been much more consistent this season. The Eagles have been one of the division’s top-ranked teams from the start.

Much of that is due to Fuerbringer, who will attend Stanford in the fall on a volleyball scholarship. He is averaging 19.2 points and 9.1 rebounds.

Division III-A--La Canada is an overwhelming favorite. The Spartans are 22-2 and have won 17 consecutive games.

They are led by 6-11 center Richard Mandeville, who is averaging 16.9 points and 10.4 rebounds.

Rancho Alamitos is the top Orange County team in the division. The Vaqueros (13-10), who finished second in the Garden Grove League, face Costa Mesa Friday.

Division III-AA at a Glance

Defending champion: Estancia.

Top teams: Inglewood Morningside (17-6), Estancia (20-6), Compton Centennial (18-8), South Torrance (19-6).

Dark horse: Servite (13-11). Don’t be deceived by the record. The Friars, who won the III-A title last season, have four returning starters.

Top players: Adam Anderson (Servite), Jason Anthony (South Torrance), Dan Bathey (Santa Margarita), Stais Boseman (Morningside), Mike Carpenter (Santa Margarita), Dominic Ellison (Morningside), Matt Fuerbringer (Estancia), Shani Kennedy (Culver City), Rob Leff (Encino Crespi), Justin McIntee (Newport Harbor), Jarod Mix (Monrovia), Kevin Pfau (South Torrance), Levi Watson (Centennial).

Best draw: Estancia. The Eagles get a bye, then should roll into the quarterfinals. They should make the semifinals.

Worst draw: South Torrance. The fourth-seeded team will likely get Monrovia, a talented team with size, in the second round.

Notes: It’s Morningside’s title to lose. The Monarchs reached the III-A title game last season and have almost everyone back. Boseman, a 6-foot-4 junior, averages 17.7 points. and Ellison averages 17.3 for the Monarchs. Morningside beat Centennial, seeded fourth, 84-78, earlier this season. In another earlier matchup of seeded teams, No. 3 South Torrance beat No. 2 Estancia, 75-62, in January.

Division III-A at a Glance

Defending champion: Servite (now in III-AA).

Top team: La Canada (22-2).

Dark horse: Rancho Verde (19-2). Small team, but loaded with talent. The Mustangs have won 15 in a row.

Top players: Nick Athanasakis (Goleta Dos Pueblos), Matt Barbrics (San Marino), Eric Conroy (Yucca Valley), James Evans (La Canada), Jeremy Giambi (West Covina South Hills), Anthony Hampton (Calabasas), James King (Pasadena Blair), Matt Lenzen (Santa Fe Springs St. Paul), Dennis Lewis (Bloomington), Richard Mandeville (La Canada), Monte Marcaccini (Sherman Oaks Notre Dame), Matt Minehon (South Pasadena), Larry Palmer (South Hills), Greg Peters (Westlake Harvard), Joey Ramirez (Santa Paula), Chris Roberts (Phelan Serrano), Jeremy Veal (San Dimas).

Best draw: La Canada. The Spartans will breeze into the semifinals before meeting any team with the talent to make them sweat.

Worst draw: Rancho Verde. You go 19-2, win 15 consecutive games and you get stuck with Yucca Valley (19-5) in the first round.

Notes: La Canada is the overwhelming choice. The Spartans have a tremendous number of talented players, the best of which is Mandeville. The 6-foot-11 senior is averaging 16.9 points and 10.4 rebounds. Coaches thinking about packing everyone in a tight zone should think again. Guard Ryan Asplund (13.7 points) has a deadly shot. Evans, a 6-4 forward, averages 15.8 points and 6.5 rebounds.