Tonight’s Boys’ Basketball

Playoff games

DIVISION I-AA

Esperanza (25-3) vs. Palos Verdes Peninsula (20-8), South Torrance HS, 7:30 p.m.

Esperanza took a giant leap in the playoffs by advancing past the second round for the first time. The Aztecs are getting by without their leading scorer and rebounder, Josh Greer (broken foot). In the first-round against Rialto Eisenhower, forward Lohnnie Tape had 29 points; on Tuesday against Glendale Hoover, guard Matt Munson had a career-high 21 points. Peninsula, which defeated Long Beach Poly and Palmdale Highland to reach the quarterfinals, is led by senior guards Phil Belin (15-point average) and Jim Brewer (12 points).

Other quarterfinal games:

Long Beach Jordan (26-3) vs. Upland (20-7), Lakewood HS, 7:30 p.m.

Bellflower St. John Bosco (16-12) vs. Fontana (19-6), Rialto Eisenhower HS, 7:30 p.m.

Victor Valley (25-2) vs. Chino Hills Ayala (23-5), Chino HS, 7:30 p.m.

DIVISION I-A

Rowland Heights Rowland (17-8) vs. Mater Dei (29-1), Ocean View HS, 7:30 p.m.

Who’s going to challenge the Monarchs? Mater Dei, on a 29-game winning streak, may be playing its best ball since winning the Holiday Prep Classic in Las Vegas in December. In beating second-round opponent San Bernardino Cajon on Tuesday, guard Kevin Augustine and center Mike Vukovich each scored 25 points. Rowland, which has beaten Chino and Canyon Country Canyon, is led by Terrence Moore (17 points) and Kris Castaneda (16 points).

Other quarterfinal games:

Capistrano Valley (17-12) vs. Glendora (23-5), Cal Poly Pomona, 7:30 p.m.

Riverside Poly (19-8) vs. El Toro (16-12), Trabuco Hills HS, 7:30 p.m.

West Covina (18-8) vs. Moreno Valley Canyon Springs (21-8), Rowland Heights Rowland HS, 7:30 p.m.

DIVISION II-AA

Santa Barbara (20-7) vs. Santa Margarita (20-6), El Toro HS, 7:30 p.m.

Whatever doubts Coach Jerry DeBusk had about Santa Margarita reaching the quarterfinals were eliminated by two 16-point victories, though Tuesday’s 40-24 victory over Canyon was a struggle for three quarters. Allen Krist (18-point average) figures to see more zone defenses such as the ones the Comanches used to hold him to 10 points. Santa Barbara is a threat to make the final, having defeated Burbank Burroughs by 13 points and Beverly Hills by 20. High scoring senior guards Mike Garrett (22 points) and Richard Oosterhuis (20 points) are the keys.

Other quarterfinal games:

Moreno Valley (24-4) vs. San Clemente (17-11), Capistrano Valley HS, 7:30 p.m.

Woodbridge (23-6) vs. Riverside North (20-6), Perris HS, 7:30 p.m.

Cypress (24-4) vs. Palm Springs (21-5), College of the Desert, 7:30 p.m.

DIVISION II-A

Tustin (25-3) vs. San Bernardino Pacific (22-4), San Gorgonio HS, 7:30 p.m.

The Tillers had their last breather Tuesday, blasting undermanned Buena Park, 75-52. Should Tustin defeat a solid Pacific team tonight, its semifinal opponent probably will be third-seeded Inglewood. The Tillers again look to seniors David Lalazarian (24.4 points) and Robert Griffin, who scored 30 points against Buena Park. Pacific is powered by junior Bobby Burries (19.2 points), who has made 45 three-pointers in 25 games, and senior Kevin Blunt (17.4 points).

Other quarterfinal games:

Compton Dominguez (27-2) vs. Ventura (16-9), Compton College, 7:30 p.m.

Hacienda Heights Los Altos (20-8) vs. Lakewood Artesia (23-5), Hacienda Heights Wilson HS, 7:30 p.m.

Inglewood (25-5) vs. Perris (24-4), Moreno Valley Valley View HS, 7:30 p.m.

DIVISION IV-A

Calvary Chapel (23-4) vs. Santa Monica Crossroads (23-8), Santa Monica St. Monica HS, 7:30 p.m.

Now that Calvary Chapel has reached the semifinals for the first time, don’t expect the Eagles to fold against the division’s top-seeded team. They have too much firepower for that. They went on a 22-4 run against North Hills L.A. Baptist on the way to a 77-67 victory Tuesday. Calvary Chapel has one of the county’s top assist leaders in Kevin Falconer (10 assists), who also averages nearly 14 points. Top guns for Crossroads are senior Kejuan Woods (18 points) and junior Baron Davis (17 points).

Other semifinal game:

Los Angeles Verbum Dei (17-10) vs. Santa Clara (22-4), Compton Dominguez HS, 7:30 p.m.

DIVISION V-A

Antelope Valley Christian (23-0) vs. Heritage Christian (18-8), Village Bible Church gym, Garden Grove, 7:30 p.m.

Heritage Christian, which is making its first quarterfinal appearance, is led by juniors Jim Findlater and Jared Zielinski, who scored 23 and 18 points, respectively, in a 58-57 victory Tuesday against Los Angeles Shalhevet. Antelope Valley, the division’s second-seeded team, is also in the quarterfinals for the first time. The Eagles are led by senior Johnny Morales (23 points) and senior Patrick Bowen (17 points).

Other quarterfinal games:

Los Angeles Pacific Hills (16-8) vs. Riverside Calvary Chapel (15-6), L.A. Daniel Murphy HS, 7:30 p.m.

Santa Maria Valley Christian (20-5) at Arcadia Rio Hondo Prep (15-7), 7:30 p.m.

Los Angeles Pilgrim (13-1) at Rolling Hills Prep (20-3), 7:30 p.m.