DIVISION II-A

Defending champion: Compton Dominguez.

Top teams: Dominguez (20-4); Redondo Beach Redondo Union (24-2); Cathedral City (22-4); Paso Robles (23-0).

Dark horse: Pacifica (22-4). Just about every coach says the Mariners have been overlooked because the Garden Grove League isn’t very strong, from top to bottom.

top players: Jeffrey Berokoff (Sonora), Tyson Chandler (Dominguez), Caleb Gervin (Cathedral City) Tyler Hoffman (Redondo Union), Tayshaun Prince (Dominguez), Andrew Zahn (Redondo Union), Steve Shea (Servite), Jeff Swan (Pacifica).

Notes: Dominguez is the defending state Division II champion and the Dons might be better than they were last year. Dominguez’s only loss in the last 13 games was to national power Mouth of Wilson (Va.) Oak Hill Academy, 65-63, in overtime at the Nike Extravaganza III at the Bren Center two weeks ago. Oak Hill is ranked No. 4 in the nation by USA Today. Dominguez is ranked 18th. Division player of the year candidate Prince is averaging 20.2 points, and seven-foot center Chandler, a freshman, is one of four others averaging in double figures. . . . Paso Robles comes into the tournament with a 23-0 record and impressive victories over several top teams, including a 61-47 victory over Orange County’s top-ranked team, Ocean View. . . . Cathedral City guard Gervin, nephew of former NBA standout George Gervin, averaged 31 points in leading the Lions to the Desert Valley League title. Nathan Davenport and Josh Haltman each averaged 10 rebounds. The Lions have won 12 in a row.