THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

1. SAN MARCOS, SS-CHANNEL

Presence of senior Kevin Larsen, headed to Georgia Tech, means defending Southern Section champions deserve top billing. Seniors Derek Uyesaka, Collin Lee and Jacob Clemens also return.

2. RIVERSIDE POLY, SS-IVY

Josh Wooding, Southern Section individual champion, Phil Telliard and Ian Hjulberg form one of the top threesomes on any team in Southland. All are headed to Division I schools in the fall.

3. PALM DESERT, SS-DESERT VALLEY

Surprise winners in the CIF-SCGA finals last year have four returning starters, including sophomore Seann Harlington, the team medalist at the finals. Aaron Davis and Kyle Forbes also return.

4. WOODBRIDGE, SS-SEA VIEW

Seniors David Yoon and Billy Moon return from team that won the Southern Division championship last season. Yoon lost in a playoff in a qualifier last month for the PGA Tour’s Nissan Open.

5. MURRIETA VALLEY,

SS-SOUTHWESTERN

Four-year lettermen Ricky Romano and Chase Coehlo return from team that was third in the Southern Section and fifth at the CIF-SCGA finals last year. John Crane and Nick Fleming also return.

6. LA QUINTA, SS-DESERT VALLEY

Transfers James Lee and Kyung Min from La Mirada join a team that includes Michael Pena, the 2002 Desert Junior player of the year, and Bradley Strzelczyk, an all-league selection.

7. HART, SS-FOOTHILL

Young team looks to be a force with defending league champion Joey Kroagman, the only senior, leading the way. Junior David Cape and sophomores Joe Greiner and Brendan Dean also return.

8. VALENCIA, SS-FOOTHILL

Brandon Christianson, Gregg Gauvin and Eric Thomas return for a team that finished eighth in the Southern Section last season. Christianson finished eighth in the section individual championships.

9. LOYOLA, SS-MISSION

Six solid seniors return for a team that has won two of the last three Northern Division titles. Sean Barrett, Peter Callaghan, Tony Elia and Brendan Harper lead the way.

10. LA MIRADA, SS-SUBURBAN

Will be a force despite the loss of two key transfers. Daniel Im is among the top-ranked juniors in the nation. Ricky Costello also returns. Matt Viele will provide a boost when he returns from a broken ankle.