Jordan and Mater Dei Given Top Spots in Playoff Pairings

Jordan and Mater Dei were the big winners when the CIF Southern Section boys’ basketball playoff pairings were announced Sunday.

Jordan’s 24-3 record and Moore League title helped it edge Esperanza (23-3) and Victor Valley (23-2) for the I-AA top spot.

Mater Dei, the South Coast League champion, was seeded first in the I-A division after compiling a 27-1 record. The Monarchs will face at-large invitee Santa Ana in the opening round on Friday. Jordan faces the winner of Rialto and Simi Valley, who play in a wild-card game Wednesday.

Despite its top seeding, Jordan will probably get second billing in the early rounds, because No. 4 Fontana and St. John Bosco landed in the same half of the I-AA field.

St. John Bosco compiled a 14-12 mark, finishing third in the Del Rey League, but played most of the season without star Schea Cotton. Fontana features all-Southern Section forward Corey Benjamin. The teams could meet in the quarterfinals Feb. 23.

A.B. Miller, 21-5 and San Andreas League champion, also is in their bracket.

Dominguez earned the top spot in the II-A bracket, and Moreno Valley (22-4) edged Cypress (22-4) for the top place in the II-AA field.