DIVISION III-A

Defending champion: North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake.

Top teams: West Hills Chaminade (23-1); Torrance Bishop Montgomery (18-6); San Dimas (17-9); Santa Paula (20-3).

Dark horse: San Jacinto (18-7). The Tigers of the Skyline League received a favorable draw. If they can beat San Dimas and the Estancia-La Puente Bassett winner, they’ll have a shot, perhaps, at second-seeded Bishop Montgomery in the semifinals.

Top players: Joe Bolander (San Dimas), Brian Johnson (Compton Centennial), Russell Lakey (North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake), Scott Long (Chaminade), Sam Nelson (Estancia), Marvin Perez (Bishop Montgomery), Brian Pruitt (Bishop Montgomery).

Notes: Second-year Estancia Coach Rich Boyce feels like one of those beer commercial lizards that has been banished to another branch in the swamp. The Eagles are the county’s lone entrant in this division. Boyce says that makes it difficult to know what they’re up against. “It’s tough,” he said. “We don’t play a lot of non-county teams and, so, this is different for us.” When Estancia is hot they’re hot, Boyce agreed. The three-time defending Pacific Coast League champions struggled to a 6-4 league mark, though. “We were more hot than cold, but that goes for our league and our entire season,” he said. “I think we were in one of the two toughest leagues in the county.” Estancia is led by 6-5 forward Nelson, who has committed to Air Force. He averages 23 points and eight rebounds. Guard James Dawkins scored 12 points per game.