The California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section high school basketball brackets were released this week featuring 20 divisions and 574 teams.
As usual, much of the interest centers around the two eight-team Open divisions.
The
Centennial (Corona) boys, who won the title last spring, are the No. 1 seed followed in order by
Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth),
Harvard-Westlake (Studio City),
Crean Lutheran (Irvine),
Damien (La Verne),
Mater Dei (Santa Ana),
Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) and
Bishop Montgomery (Torrance).
Centennial (26-1) is No. 5 in the
MaxPreps Top 25 national rankings. The Huskies have won 23 straight since a Nov. 26 loss to No. 2 Duncanville (Texas).
Sierra Canyon (21-3) is ranked No. 9 nationally after
defeating previous No. 10 Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn, Ill.) 67-64 Saturday on a 3-point buzzer-beater by
Dylan Metoyer.
Etiwanda (24-0) is the obvious top seed among the girls, followed in order by
Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth),
Centennial (Corona),
Mater Dei (Santa Ana),
Rosary Academy (Fullerton),
Orangewood Academy (Garden Grove),
Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) and
Windward (Los Angeles).
Etiwanda, which features six 6-footers, is ranked No. 2 nationally and has outscored opponents by an average score of 70-31. Sierra Canyon (23-1) is ranked No. 8. Its only loss came Jan. 8 to San Diego power La Jolla Country Day 73-71.
The Open is the only division that implements pool play, which begins Friday for the boys and Saturday for the girls. Winners of the two pools face off for the championship on Feb. 25 (boys) and Feb. 26 (girls). All teams in the Open Divisions advance to Southern Regional play that begins March 1.
2022 CIF Southern Section basketball brackets
Boys
Girls
Division 5AA
Ramsey Huff and Centennial carry the No. 1 seed into the boys Open Division.
Photo by Louis Lopez
