DIVISION V-AA

Defending champion: San Luis Obispo Mission Prep.

Top teams: Mission Prep (16-2), Pasadena Poly (15-4), Boron (no record available), Redlands Arrowhead Christian (14-4).

Top players: Gini Carney (Capistrano Valley Christian), Anna-Lisa Epperson (Mission Prep), April Flanagan (Capistrano Valley Christian), Jean Freeman (St. Margaret’s), Hayley Hall (Capistrano Valley Christian), Shay Trette (St. Margaret’s).

Dark horse: St. Margaret’s (16-4). The Tartans finished undefeated in the Academy League and open with Downey Calvary Chapel, the third-place team from the Express League. St. Margaret’s is led by Freeman (15 points, 14 rebounds) and Trette (13 points). If St. Margaret’s, which lost in the opening round last year, gets past Calvary Chapel, it will probably face Covina Western Christian (13-8), the Christian League’s No. 2 team.

Notes: Capistrano Valley Christian (13-10, 5-4) is returning to the playoffs after a first-round loss to Riverside Woodcrest Christian last season. Coach Tim Shelton is happy about his first-round matchup. The Eagles host to La Verne Lutheran, the Arrowhead League’s No. 3 team. “I am very pleased with our draw this year,” Shelton said. “It is always good when you get to face a second- or third-place team. But if we get by them, we have a very tough road ahead.” Capistrano Valley Christian would face fourth-seeded Arrowhead Christian. . . . This year’s final could again be a matchup between Mission Prep and Pasadena Poly. Mission Prep won last year, 41-34.