SOUTHERN SECTION GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS

DIVISION IV-AA

Defending champion: Playa del Rey St. Bernard.

Top teams: Santa Ynez (23-1), Morro Bay (20-2), Inglewood St. Mary’s (10-0 in league); St. Bernard (20-6).

Dark horse: Los Angeles Notre Dame Academy (15-5). The Regals made it to last season’s quarterfinals, where they lost to Morro Bay.

Top players: Jennifer Gardner (Corona del Mar), Patty Ortiz (L.A. Sacred Heart of Jesus), Lindsay Warmington (Corona del Mar), Vanessa Wongyai (Sacred Heart of Jesus).

Notes: Corona del Mar (11-14) is the only Orange County team in this division. The Sea Kings, third place in the Sea View League, play at Sacred Heart of Jesus (16-5), the second place team in the Horizon League, in a wild-card game Wednesday. If they advance, Notre Dame Academy will be their opponent in the first round.

DIVISION IV-A

Defending champion: Cerritos Valley Christian.

Top teams: Cerritos Valley Christian (19-3), Santa Monica Crossroads (19-2), Sun Valley Village Christian (18-4), Montebello Cantwell-Sacred Heart (8-2 in league).

Dark horse: Whittier Christian (17-7) could make some noise if its shooters get hot, including Alana Kempton, who averages more than 18 points and has made more than 50 three-point baskets.

Top players: Deanna Bergeson (North Hills L.A. Baptist), Alana Kempton (Whittier Christian), Kim Menke (Whittier Christian), Jodi Parriott (Cerritos Valley Christian), Sherris Smith (Crossroads), Maxine Unverferth (Lancaster Paraclete), Lori Wright (Orange Lutheran).

Notes: Valley Christian goes for its fourth consecutive Southern Section title. . . . Orange Lutheran (15-8) did not get much luck after losing its final three games. In the first round, the Lancers face Paraclete (18-3), which has won 10 in a row. If they get past the Spirits, they likely will meet fourth-seeded Cantwell. The Lancers defeated Valley Christian this season, but Jodi Parriott didn’t play. . . . Whittier Christian starts off with Santa Monica St. Monica (10-11) and should win. After that the Heralds probably will face Village Christian, which defeated the Heralds in the quarterfinals last season.

DIVISION V-AA

Defending champion: San Luis Obispo Mission Prep.

Top teams: Mission Prep (14-9), Pasadena Poly (17-5), Boron (18-3), Redlands Arrowhead Christian Academy (15-5).

Dark horse: Capistrano Valley Christian (10-12). The Eagles surprisingly advanced to last season’s quarterfinals, where they lost to the eventual runner-up Cambria Coast Union. The Eagles will need strong support from Jessica Oliver, Hayley Hall and Olivia Lindsay.

Top players: Katie Glenn (Woodcrest), Jean Freeman (St. Margaret’s), Jessica Oliver (Capistrano Valley Christian), Shay Trette (St. Margaret’s).

Notes: If St. Margaret’s can get by San Bernardino Aquinas in the first round, the Tartans will have a tough second-round game, facing either Boron (18-3), Desert Mountain League champion or Burbank Providence (11-6), third-place finisher in a tough Liberty League. . . . Mission Prep could race to the final again, with North Hollywood Oakwood and Van Nuys Montclair Prep the two teams in its way until the semifinals. . . . Look for Pasadena Poly, a semifinalist last season. Poly finished first in a tough Prep League and has a fairly easy draw.

DIVISION V-A

Defending champion: Arcadia Rio Hondo Prep.

Top teams: Los Angeles Pilgrim (18-4), Wildomar California Lutheran (14-1), Lancaster Desert Christian (13-7), Hemet Baptist Christian (17-4).

Dark horse: Los Angeles Ribet Academy. The Fighting Frogs have won four of their last five games. They advanced to last year’s quarterfinals, but are led by freshman Leanne Bennett.

Top players: Leanne Bennett (Ribet Academy), Maro Minassian (Pico Rivera Mesrobian), Lisa Winters (Liberty Christian), Sarah Zabriski (Rio Hondo Prep).

Notes: Top-seeded Pilgrims should have an easy run to the semifinals. . . . Liberty Christian (10-11 and last in the Academy League, a late at-large berth winner, got one of the division’s worst draws. It faces Mesrobian (11-5), which has won eight of its last nine games. If the Minutemen get by Mesrobian, they most likely face Ribet Academy, led by Bennett, who averages 19 points and 18 rebounds.