DIVISION II-AA

Defending champion: Pasadena.

Top teams: Moreno Valley (22-4), Cypress (22-4), Riverside North (18-6), Santa Margarita (18-6).

Dark horse: Santa Barbara (18-7). If the Dons can handle the long bus rides, they have two 20-point scorers in senior guards Mike Garrett (22 points) and Richard Oosterhuis (20 points).

Top players: Josh Amstone (El Monte Arroyo), Chad Boberg (Cypress), Chris Burgess (Woodbridge), Gabe Burt (Mission Viejo), William Byrd (Canyon), Eric Chenowith (Villa Park), Sean Granillo (Sunny Hills), Kenneth Harvey (Beverly Hills), Mike Hutchens (Dana Hills), Ryan O’Hearn (Manhattan Beach Mira Costa), Alan Krist (Santa Margarita), Obaid Popal (Loara), Nick Punto (Trabuco Hills), Jorge Sotomayor (Burbank Burroughs), Ian Tatala (San Clemente), Shelton Wise (Moreno Valley).

Notes: There are 11 county teams in the division, which ties Division II-A for the highest representation. . . . Eight teams--Canyon, Mission Viejo, Santa Margarita, Loara, Woodbridge, Sunny Hills, Villa Park and Trabuco Hills--face each other in Friday’s first round. . . . Although Santa Margarita is seeded fourth, Coach Jerry DeBusk has not been too pleased with the Eagles’ recent play. “We’ve not played at a high level since the [Jan. 26] loss to Woodbridge,” DeBusk said. . . . Cypress is seeded second, its highest berth ever, according to Coach Tom Gorrell.