Westchester, Fairfax Seeded in Top Spots

Figuring out which team in the Los Angeles City Section would be seeded No. 1 for the upcoming boys’ basketball playoffs was as easy as flipping a coin.

When Fairfax Coach Harvey Kitani called heads, and the coin came up tails, it gave Westchester top billing in the Championship Division.

Fairfax received the No. 2 seeding in the 16-team field chosen Saturday by an 11-man panel at Manual Arts High.

“The committee tries to make it a true seed,” Kitani said. “It’s so often difficult after a certain number of teams.... I think they got the top four right.”

Westchester (24-3) and Fairfax (23-2), who played in the section title game last season, shared the Western League title this season, each winning home games against the other.

Carson (21-3) was placed No. 3, setting up a possible semifinal against Fairfax, and Crenshaw (19-6) was No. 4, in the same bracket as Westchester.

“I think everyone realized, and the consensus was, that Westchester and Fairfax were the top two teams,” said Westchester Coach Ed Azzam, whose Comets have won three consecutive section titles and last year’s state title.

“There was some discussion about Nos. 3 and 4, but I think these are pretty cut and dried.”

Woodland Hills Taft, Fremont, Reseda Cleveland and South Gate were seeded fifth through eighth and received first-round home games. Northern League champion Franklin was seeded No. 16, drawing Westchester in the first round.

First-round games begin Friday, with the boys’ final at the Forum on March 8 at 5 p.m., preceding the girls’ championship at 7 p.m.

Harbor City Narbonne (18-6) is the sole dominant girls’ team, which put a premium on positions in the bracket opposite the Gauchos.

Carson (21-4), which finished second to Narbonne in the Marine League, was seeded No. 2, and Valley Mission League champion Sylmar (19-6)was No. 3.

Garfield (22-3) was seeded fourth and Chatsworth (18-6) was fifth.

Chatsworth, last season’s section runner-up, might have gained one of the coveted No. 2 or 3 spots had it not lost Friday to Taft, 47-38. The West Valley League champion had won 16 of its previous 17.

In the Invitational draw, Jordan received the No. 1 seeding for the boys and Monroe was No. 1 for the girls.