Boys’ basketball: Open Division creates opportunities for others

One of the motivations for the creation of the Open Division was to help schools that haven’t won championships get the opportunity to compete for a title, and that seems likley.

In 1AA, with five schools moved to the Open Division, it clears the way for Rancho Cucamonga (23-4) to make a big run in the bottom half of the bracket as the No. 2 seed. Two of the Cougars’ four losses were to Etiwanda. They have top players in guard Victor Joseph and 6-foot-5 forward Daylan Lawrence.

With Mater Dei the only Orange County team in the Open Division, lots of Orange County teams are suddenly in title contention, such as El Toro in 1A, Anaheim Canyon in 2AA, Sonora in 2A, Santa Margarita in 3AA and JSerra in 4AA. If all win titles, the Open Division will become known as the beloved division in Orange County. As one athletic director said, “I think the Open Division is a wonderful thing.”

With the top teams in 3A, Chaminade and Cathedral, in the Open Division, the 3A bracket becomes wide open. Santa Barbara is the No. 1 seed and St. Francis, the sixth-place finisher in the Mission League, is No. 2. Beware of No. 3 La Canada and Coach Tom Hofman.

In 4AA, the absence of Gardena Serra and Bishop Montgomery cleared the way for 27-0 Buckley to be the No. 1 seed. But looming nearby is No. 5 JSerra and Mission League power Harvard-Westlake is also in the same bracket with Buckley. If those two teams meet, it would match former Harvard-Westlake assistant Mike Hamilton against his mentor, Greg Hilliard.

In 4A, gone are Sierra Canyon and Cantwell-Sacred Heart. That means beware of Price and Windward advancing to the semifinals in the bottom half of the bracket. And watch out for Campbell Hall and guard Aaron Holiday in the top half.

Eric.sondheimer@latimes.com