Boys’ Teams Compete in Quarterfinals

Eight South Bay boys’ basketball teams have reached the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section playoffs in their respective divisions. Following is a summary of the games, all of which start at 7:30 tonight:

AA-I DIVISION

Lakewood (16-12) vs. Hawthorne (15-11) at Long Beach Wilson High--Lakewood, an at-large playoff entry from the Moore League, defeated Antelope Valley in the second round Tuesday, 94-80. The Lancers reached the final of the Pacific Shores Tournament in December, losing to Morningside. Hawthorne, the Bay League runner-up, was led by Donminic Ellison’s 32 points in a second-round victory over Channel Islands.

II-AA DIVISION

J.W. North (22-3) vs. Torrance (18-7) at Perris High: North, the Ivy League champion, is the division’s top-seeded team. Torrance beat Rosemead, 78-77, in overtime Tuesday thanks to forward Joe Zaletel’s six-foot shot at the buzzer. The Tartars won the Pioneer League title.

II-A DIVISION

Artesia (22-2) vs. Redondo (15-13) at Gahr High: Top-seeded Artesia boasts a talented all-sophomore front line of 6-foot-11 Lavondre Jones, 6-5 Charles O’Bannon and 6-4 James Cotton. O’Bannon is the brother of highly regarded UCLA redshirt freshman Ed O’Bannon, who led Artesia to the state Division II championship last season. Redondo, an at-large team, survived against El Modena, 65-63, Tuesday when Ernie Wilson’s 65-foot basket was ruled to have been shot after the buzzer.

III-A DIVISION

Morningside (24-3) vs. San Dimas (19-7) at Glendora High--Top-seeded Morningside, the Ocean League champion, romped past Cabrillo of Lompoc, 79-59, Tuesday behind 22 points and 10 rebounds from senior forward Arthur Savage. San Dimas, the Mountain View League runner-up, advanced with a 74-67 victory over St. Francis.

St. Bernard (14-12) vs. Servite (19-6) at Katella High--Center Wyking Jones scored 32 points to lead St. Bernard, the Mission League runner-up, over Yucca Valley, 82-74, in second-round play. Angelus League runner-up Servite is the defending state Division II champion.

IV-AA DIVISION

El Segundo (18-8) vs. Palo Verde (17-7) at Palm Desert High--Desert Valley League champion Palo Verde has a balanced lineup that features a quick backcourt and a tall front line. El Segundo, led by forward Travis Showalter, beat St. Anthony to reach Friday’s quarterfinal.

IV-A DIVISION

St. Joseph of Santa Maria (22-2) vs. Serra (6-16) at El Camino College--Serra, an at-large playoff entry from the Camino Real League, must contend with the division’s top-seeded team. St. Joseph won the Los Padres League title.

V-A DIVISION

South Bay Lutheran (18-4) vs. Liberty Christian (15-8) at Baptist Church of Long Beach--Two league champions square off in this lower division match-up. South Bay Lutheran of Inglewood won the Westside League title, while Liberty Christian was the Academy League champion. South Bay Lutheran advanced with an 85-30 victory Tuesday over Pilgrim.