Boys’ Tennis

* The Proven: Cameron Ball of Corona del Mar is the defending Pacific Coast League champion and one of the most improved players in Southern California. Ball, ranked 15th in the boys’ 18s, had to miss last year’s Southern Section individual tournament because of pain in his legs related to a growth spurt; Brian Morton of Corona del Mar has signed with UC Irvine; Aaron Yovan of University was an Ojai finalist in the boys’ 16 division and a quarterfinalist in the section individual tournament.

* The Promising: Jonathan Sanchez is the most highly touted freshman to enter Servite since Ryan Moore, currently playing No. 2 singles for USC; Jack Li of University won 50 of 54 sets last year as a freshman; with Mike Nguyen’s graduation, Derek Klunchoo of Capistrano Valley will move from doubles to singles.

* Preseason Top 10: 1. Corona del Mar--Too much talent for Division V; 2. University--Praying for health; 3. Los Alamitos--Hoping to get some revenge on Peninsula; 4. Troy--University still in the Warriors’ way; 5. Servite--Best Friar team ever?; 6. Woodbridge--Looking for another singles player, maybe Susanna Lingman?; 7. Dana Hills--Hoping to take back South Coast title from Capistrano Valley; 8. Aliso Niguel--Plenty of depth, no stars; 9. Sunny Hills--Joseph Kao will be tough to replace; 10. Irvine--Seven starters back from playoff team.

* Key Dates: March 6, Corona del Mar at Los Alamitos; March 16-17, National High School Team Tournament, Balboa Bay Club; March 27, University at Corona del Mar; April 4, Peninsula at Corona del Mar; April 13-21, Easter Bowl, Riviera Resort in Palm Springs; April 26-29, Ojai Valley tournament; May 15, 17, 22, 24, 30, Southern Section team playoffs; May 19, 25, 26, Southern Section individual playoffs.

* League Favorites: Century--Foothill; Empire--El Dorado; Freeway--Troy; Garden Grove--Garden Grove; Golden West--Santa Ana; Olympic--Orange Lutheran; Orange--Brea Olinda; Pacific Coast--Corona del Mar; Sea View--Woodbridge; Serra--Servite; South Coast--Dana Hills; Sunset--Los Alamitos.

* Fast Fact: The 16-team field is set for the second boys’ National High School Tournament, which will be March 16-17 and hosted by Corona del Mar and the Balboa Bay Club. Defending champion Peninsula will be seeded first. Corona del Mar, Brentwood and Phoenix (Ariz.) Brophy Prep are also likely to be seeded. Other teams entered are University, Beverly Hills, Del Mar Torrey Pines, Cupertino Monta Vista, Atherton Menlo, Carmichael Jesuit, Riverdale (N.Y.) Horace Mann, Woodberry Forest of Virginia, Greenville (S.C.) Christ Church Episcopal, Fresno Clovis West, Millbrae Mills and La Jolla Country Day.