HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL : TONIGHT’S REGIONAL PLAYOFF GAMES

BOYS’ DIVISION III

* BISHOP MONTGOMERY (25-4) vs. HARVARD-WESTLAKE (27-2)

At Harvard, 7:30 p.m.

Harvard-Westlake’s size advantage alone is enough to make opponents crumble. But the Wolverines, who feature juniors Jason (6 feet 11) and Jarron (6-10) Collins, are deep and talented. “They’re not just tall, they know how to play,” Bishop Montgomery Coach Doug Mitchell said. “And they have other players who do things.” Bishop Montgomery, Del Rey League champion and Southern Section Division III-AA runner-up, is led by versatile senior forward Brandon Price (6-6), who has signed with Santa Clara. Price, one of four Knight players scoring in double figures, averages 17.5 points and eight rebounds. Senior guard Michael Johnson (6-2) averages 13.5 points and plays strong defense. Junior center Solomon Hughes (6-10) averages 13 points and a team-high 9.5 rebounds. Harvard, which routed Tehachapi, 81-42, Tuesday, is adjusting to the absence of point guard Leo Da Costa, who has played sparingly since suffering an ankle sprain two weeks ago.

BOYS’ DIVISION V

* LA JOLLA COUNTRY DAY (21-7) vs. MONTCLAIR PREP (27-3)

At Montclair Prep, 7:30 p.m.

The top-seeded Mounties set a school record for points in a game in a 125-63 thrashing of Alpaugh in the opening round. Senior guard Scott Stark scored 32 points and Anwawn Jones, the returning Division V player of the year, added 27 points, 12 rebounds and six blocked shots. Jones averages 23.5 points and 13.5 rebounds and Stark has pushed his average to 13.6 points. Point guard Akil Anderson, who scored 16 against the Buffalos, averages 12.2. Country Day, the San Diego Section runner-up, easily defeated Southern Section V-A champion Pacific Hills, 66-43. The senior-dominated team is led by guard Jason Semanisin, who averages 16.4 points. Forward Vinnie Blanco (6-3) averages 16 and guard Jamie Hooper averages 14 for Country Day.

GIRLS’ DIVISION I

* PALMDALE (29-3) vs. BUENA (29-1)

At Buena, 7:30 p.m.

The No. 2 team in The Times’ Valley region visits the No. 1 team in a Division I semifinal of the Southern California Regional tournament. But for Palmdale to have a chance, center Kristi Rose must match the scoring and rebounding of Buena counterpart Nicole Greathouse. Rose tends to lapse in games, and when she lapsed in Palmdale’s 54-40 victory over Washington on Tuesday, guard Edniesha Curry shook her out of it with some strong words. Regardless of whether its offense is hot, Buena’s defense remains consistent. In Tuesday’s 63-27 victory over Palisades, the Bulldogs forced 35 turnovers, led by forwards Stephanie Kinnear and Christy Erickson. Buena made as many field goals (27) as Palisades attempted. Palisades made only one field goal in the game.

GIRLS’ DIVISION III

* NORDHOFF (21-9) vs. BISHOP MONTGOMERY (15-17).

At Bishop Montgomery, 7:30 p.m.

Bishop Montgomery forfeited 11 victories for using an ineligible player before moving on to win the Southern Section Division III-AA title. En route, the Knights pinned a decisive semifinal defeat on Moorpark, which won the Frontier League championship by two games over Nordhoff. The Rangers, Division III-A runners-up, rebounded from an abysmal shooting performance in the section title game to upset Eastlake on Monday in an opening round playoff game at Eastlake. Bishop Montgomery had it somewhat easier, routing Tulare Western by 50 points. Bishop Montgomery is led by 6-foot junior forward Tashara Carter, who averages 14 points and 12 rebounds. Nordhoff counters with senior guard Keyana Stanford (10 ppg, 6 rebounds) and sophomore forward Erin Barker (14.7 and 6).

GIRLS’ DIVISION V

* CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN (21-2) vs. JULIAN (28-3)

At Ramona High, 7:30 p.m.

Cornerstone Christian, enjoying its best season, is coming off a 62-59 upset of third-seeded Strathmore. The Eagles feature balance, with four players averaging 10 or more points. Center Karen Breshears (14.2) and forward Karri Becker (11.1) offer an inside presence, averaging 11.7 and 9.6 rebounds, respectively. Guards Julia Tamai (13.5 ppg) and Julie Siefert (13.1) are each averaging more than four steals and 6.5 rebounds. Tamai is the playmaker, averaging 6.2 assists. During the playoffs that average has jumped to 8.2. The Eagles’ 20-game winning streak was snapped in the Southern Section Division V-A final, a 41-39 loss to Pilgrim. Julian, the San Diego Section division champion, lost to eventual state champion El Cajon Christian in the regional final last season. Julian, whose nickname also is Eagles, is led by 5-10 Notre Dame-bound April Olsen (26.5 points and eight rebounds) and Erin Voris (15.3 points and 10 rebounds).