A look at The Times’ preseason poll’s...

A look at The Times’ preseason poll’s top 20 high school boys’ basketball teams in the City and Southern sections, with division, last season’s record and comment by Times prep editor Eric Shepard.

1. SANTA ANA MATER DEI

Southern Section, Division I-A

Last season: 33-1, beat Edison, 65-59, in Div. I-A final.

Outlook: Three more years of Schea Cotton means three more years of winning for Mater Dei, which lost to Crenshaw in the State Southern Regional final last season. Cotton, a 6-foot-5 sophomore sensation, might be the best player in the state. He is joined by 6-7 forward Shaun Jackson and 6-2 guard Clay McKnight.

2. COMPTON DOMINGUEZ

Southern Section, Division II-A

Last season: 28-4, lost to St. John Bosco, 55-54, in Div. II-A final.

Outlook: Tommy Prince, a 6-6 All-State forward, heads a deep lineup. Added to an already strong roster is forward-guard James Brown, a transfer from Long Beach Poly, and 6-4 freshman Jason Thomas.

3. CRENSHAW

City Section, Division 4-A

Last season: 29-2, beat Dorsey, 72-53, in Div. 4-A final.

Outlook: The two-time defending State Division I champions are almost an entirely new team this season but it is difficult to bet against their winning tradition. Ronnie Arch, a 6-6 forward, is the only returning starter. Corey Williams, a 6-5 forward, is a talented transfer from Ribet Academy.

4. WESTCHESTER

City Section, Division 4-A

Last season: 23-5, lost to Dorsey, 71-68, in Div. 4-A quarterfinals.

Outlook: The Comets have something to prove after being upset in the playoffs last season. They should contend for the title this time with 6-3 guard Ben Sanders and 6-0 guard Danny Walker leading the way. Each is averaging in double figures.

5. FONTANA

Southern Section, Division I-AA

Last season: 26-1, lost to Crescenta Valley, 85-77, in Div. I-AA quarterfinals.

Outlook: Corey Benjamin, a 6-6 junior forward, has established himself as one of the state’s top players. He averaged 18 points as a sophomore and played well last summer. The Steelers, who have been on the rise in recent years, hope to improve on last season’s disappointing end in the playoffs.

6. INGLEWOOD

Southern Section Division II-A

Last season: 30-4, beat Riverside North, 77-59, in Div. II-AA final.

Outlook: Paul Pierce, a 6-7 forward, is the lone returning starter for Inglewood but is the Southland’s top prospect. With the skills to play either point guard or power forward, Pierce is one of the most-recruited players in the nation and will sign this spring. He averaged 23 points and 11 rebounds last season.

7. TUSTIN

Southern Section, Division II-A

Last season: 22-8, lost to Dominguez, 70-35, in Div. II-A semifinals.

Outlook: The Tillers have four starters returning, including 6-0 guard Doug Gottlieb, who has already signed with Notre Dame. Gottlieb averaged 18 points and eight assists last season. He receives support from 6-7 forward David Lalazarian, who also averages in double figures.

8. CRESCENTA VALLEY

Southern Section, Division II-AA

Last season: 19-10, lost to Long Beach Poly, 70-61, in Div. I-AA final.

Outlook: Crescenta Valley squeaked into the playoffs last season as an at-large entry and then surprised everybody by advancing to the final. Most of the players are back, including 6-4 guard Brock Jacobsen and 6-8 center Blake Jacobson.

9. RIVERSIDE NORTH

Southern Section, Division II-AA

Last season: 29-2, lost to Inglewood, 77-59, in Div. II-AA final.

Outlook: Coach Mike Bartee has built North into one of the Southland’s most respected programs. Although the Huskies are without a top-name player, they still have enough talent to contend. Brian Hooks, a 6-3 guard/forward, and Chris Claiborne, a 6-3 forward, return after averaging in double figures last season.

10. SANTA ANA VALLEY

Southern Section, Division I-AA

Last season: 26-4, lost to Crescenta Valley, 69-67, in Div. I-AA semifinals.

Outlook: Santa Ana Valley became an instant contender last season when guard Olujimi Mann transferred from Mater Dei. Mann, a 6-5 junior, averaged 20 points and was selected as the state’s sophomore player of the year by Cal-Hi Sports. Mann is back and will be helped by transfers Ike Harmon, a 6-7 forward from Century, and Virgil Forbin, a 6-3 forward from Loara.

11. LONG BEACH WILSON

Southern Section, Division I-AA

Last season: 22-8, lost to Long Beach Poly, 61-43, in Div. I-AA semifinals.

Outlook: Wilson’s starting lineup includes a big front line of 6-9 Michael Batiste, 6-6 Tyrell Maynor and 6-6 Roy Blanchard. The Bruins would have been rated higher if 6-4 guard Eric White had not been declared ineligible. Expect a close race in the Moore League.

12. GLENDORA

Southern Section, Division I-A

Last season: 27-3, lost to Riverside North, 66-63 in Div. II-AA semifinals.

Outlook: For the first time in seven years, Glendora is without a Murray--Tracy or Cameron--in the lineup. Coach Mike LeDuc, however, has considerable remaining talent. The scoring leader is guard Greg Jacobsen.

13. LAKEWOOD ARTESIA

Southern Section, Division III-AA

Last season: 15-9, lost to Redondo, 68-62, in Div. II-A first round.

Outlook: Watch for Artesia to bounce back after a disappointing season. The Pioneers added strength when 6-8 center Jonathan Nelson transferred from Lynwood. Guard DeAndre Moore, a 5-8 freshman, should also make an immediate impact.

14. PASADENA MUIR

Southern Section, Division II-A

Last season: 20-11, lost to Tustin, 69-65, in Div. II-A quarterfinals.

Outlook: Senior Duane Curtis, a 6-3 guard, is one of the area’s top prospects and will sign with a college in the spring. He averaged 20 points last season and is the main strength in an explosive lineup that also includes 6-3 guard/forward Anthony White and 5-10 guard Quincy Stinson.

15. NORTH HOLLYWOOD HARVARD-WESTLAKE

Southern Section, Division III-A

Last season: 24-3, lost to San Dimas, 74-63, in Div. III-A semifinals.

Outlook: Harvard-Westlake improved from a .500 team to a contender last season with the addition of twins Jason and Jarron Collins. Although only 15, the Collins brothers are big-time players. Jason is 6-10, Jarron 6-9 and each has added 20 pounds.

16. VERBUM DEI

Southern Section, Division IV-A

Last season: 26-3, beat Santa Clara, 71-65, in Div. IV-A final.

Outlook: Coach Mike Kearney welcomes back another strong team with scoring power. Junior guard Deon Williams, one of the area’s best, is joined by 6-6 forward Andre Larry and 6-4 forward Andre Smith.

17. LA PUENTE NOGALES

Southern Section, Division I-A

Last season: 19-6, lost to Crescenta Valley, 72-61, in Div. I-AA first round.

Outlook: Nogales dropped into Division I-A this season but will face a tough road in the playoffs against such contenders as Mater Dei and Glendora. The Nobles have one of the area’s top point guards in Shomario Richard, a 6-3 senior who averaged 26 points and nine assists last season.

18. MANUAL ARTS

City Section, Division 4-A

Last season: 20-5, lost to Reseda Cleveland, 63-58, in Div. 4-A first round.

Outlook: Despite its talent of the last two seasons, Manual Arts was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. The Toilers hope their fortunes improve this time, and 6-7 forward Travis Reed should help. The sophomore standout is a transfer from Crenshaw.

19. FAIRFAX

City Section, Division 4-A

Last season: 21-6, lost to Fremont, 55-47, in Div. 4-A quarterfinals.

Outlook: Fairfax has produced many college prospects in previous years and this team is no different. Duane Davis, a 5-10 point guard, is the latest recruiting prize. The senior averaged 16 points last season and played well during the summer.

20. BELLFLOWER ST. JOHN BOSCO

Southern Section, Division I-AA

Last season: 28-3, beat Dominguez, 55-54, in Div. II-A final.

Outlook: St. John Bosco voluntarily moved up a division this season despite losing all-star Jelani Gardner. The Braves have the necessary size to contend for a title with 6-8 forward Chad Bell and 6-6 forward Brian Johnson leading the way.