DIVISION II-AA

Defending champion: Woodbridge.

Top teams: Compton (23-5); Santa Margarita (24-2); Inglewood (19-5); Brea Olinda (22-4).

Dark horse: Canyon (18-8). Despite an up-and-down season, the Comanches--provided they win their Wednesday wild-card game against Los Amigos--have the kind of tall front line that can cause trouble.

Top players: Robert Abercrombie (Katella), Moises Alvarez (Hemet), Drew Gaulden (Canyon), Jerry Inzunza (Troy), Tony Jimmerson (Kennedy), Chris McMillian (Brea Olinda), Roger Price (Antelope Valley).

Notes: There are 11 county teams in this division. . . . Despite only two losses in 26 games, Santa Margarita is not entering the playoffs with great confidence because of the nagging knee injury suffered by senior point guard T.J. Williams. “His health is our biggest concern,” Coach Jerry DeBusk said. “He’s not had good practices lately. I’m hoping not having to play until Friday will help.” Santa Margarita opens against Moreno Valley Rancho Verde (18-8). . . . Though they finished second in the Orange League, Brea Olinda’s 22 victories earned them a No. 4 seeding. McMillian, a 5-10 senior guard, is having a big year (24.6 points) but another key for Brea is 6-4 senior forward Reid Carlson’s (14.8 points) hot playoff hand. Jeff Mason, the Wildcats’ 6-6 senior center, leads the county in rebounding (14.2). . . . After beginning the season with Century League title expectations, Canyon had to rally from a 1-5 start by winning its last four games to make the playoffs. As 6-6 senior forward Gaulden goes (19.1 points, 11.4 rebounds), so go the Comanches. . . . Antelope Valley’s key player is 6-4 senior forward Price (15.8 points, 13.9 rebounds). . . . Hemet’s 6-1 senior guard Alvarez (27.0 points) has terrorized defenses all season. . . . Katella’s main guns are 6-2 junior guard Abercrombie (18.1 points) and 6-6 junior center Don Carey (10.6 points, 7.6 rebounds). . . . Kennedy is led by 6-4 junior forward Tony Jimmerson (14 points, 10 rebounds).