LEAGUE RACES for boys’ and girls’ basketball are starting Tuesday and Wednesday (Shutterstock).
All those tournaments and non-league contests are finally over and the “second” season of prep basketball is about to start.
Which, among local schools looks the most ready to compete for the trophy hardware of league titles? Here’s a quick skim of the records for a hint.
Only one boys’ team in the Garden Grove League has a winning record and that’s Los Amigos with a 9-7 mark. Rancho Alamitos (6-7) and Santiago (8-10) follow.
Two locals – Garden Grove (12-6) and Ocean View (10-8) – look to be poised to fight for the Golden West League title, with Western (5-12) and Westminster (4-11) looking for respect.
In the Orange League, Magnolia (0-13) will probably need a miracle to contend. Century (9-8) is the only OL team with more wins than losses. In the Orange Coast League, Orange (3-14) is also struggling in a conference likely to be dominated by Estancia (15-3).
However, in the San Joaquin League, Orangewood Academy (9-6) could be in the middle of a real dogfight with all teams over .500. On top right now is Saddleback Valley Christian (14-3).
Let’s turn our attention to the girls’ side.
In the Garden Grove League, the top teams appear to be Loara (6-1) and Los Amigos (10-7), although Rancho Alamitos, La Quinta and Santiago could all be in the mix. Over in the Empire League, Pacifica (10-7) is strong but faces stiff competition for the title from Crean Lutheran (15-2) and Tustin (10-7).
The Wave League doesn’t offer much hope for locals; Marina is 4-13. In the Surf League, Huntington Beach (12-3) is the favorite and Edison (9-9) will contend for a playoff spot as well. The Golden West League race looks to be wide open, with Godinez (10-7) in the lead, but Garden Grove (7-10) could challenge. Magnolia (7-7) could do well in the Orange League, where the pre-league leader is Anaheim (12-3).
In the Orange Coast League, Orange has a 3-8 record, but that’s better than three other teams. Calvary Chapel (9-5) seems to have the inside lane. Orangewood Academy (12-4) has one of the best teams around but in the San Joaquin League, it has two strong rivals in Fairmont Prep (11-3) and Sage Hill (11-4).
Leagues of their own
League play for most local high school basketball teams will begin on Tuesday, Jan. 7 and Wednesday, Jan. 8 Here are the opening matches by league. Most boys’ games will tipoff at 7 p.m. Most girls’ games will start at 5:45 p.m. Check with the school for the most current information.
GOLDEN WEST LEAGUE (Boys)
- Garden Grove at Godinez, Jan. 7
- Westminster at Ocean View, Jan. 7
- Western at Segerstrom, Jan. 7
EMPIRE LEAGUE (Boys)
- Valencia at Pacifica, Jan. 7
GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE (Boys)
- Bolsa Grande at La Quinta, Jan. 8
- Loara at Rancho Alamitos, Jan. 8
- Santiago at Los Amigos, Jan. 8
WAVE LEAGUE (Boys)
- Marina at Los Alamitos, Jan. 8
- Edison at Laguna Beach, Jan. 8
- Huntington Beach at Corona del Mar, Jan. 8
ORANGE COAST LEAGUE (Boys)
- Orange at Costa Mesa, Jan. 8
ORANGE LEAGUE (Boys)
- Magnolia at Savanna, Jan. 7.
SAN JOAQUIN LEAGUE (Boys)
- Pacific Christian at Orangewood, Jan. 7.
EMPIRE LEAGUE (Girls)
• Placentia at Pacifica, Jan. 7.
GOLDEN WEST LEAGUE (Girls)
- Garden Grove at Godinez, Jan. 7
- Westminster at Ocean View, Jan. 7
- Segerstrom at Western, Jan. 7
EMPIRE LEAGUE (Girls)
- Pacifica at Valencia, Jan . 7
GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE (Girls)
- Bolsa Grande at La Quinta, Jan. 8
- Santiago at Los Amigos, Jan. 8.
- Loara at Rancho Alamitos, Jan. 8
WAVE LEAGUE (Girls)
- Los Alamitos at Marina, Jan. 7.
- Huntington Beach at Fountain Valley, Jan. 7
ORANGE COAST LEAGUE (Girls)
- Orange at Costa Mesa, Jan. 7
ORANGE LEAGUE (Girls)
- Magnolia at Savanna, Jan. 7.
SAN JOAQUIN LEAGUE (Girls)
- St. Margaret’s at Orangewood, Jan. 7.
The return of the polls
An impressive 18 local teams are ranked in this week’s CIF-SS winter sports polls. Here they are.
Boys’ basketball
- Division 4AA: Orangewood is 10th, La Quinta 14th.
- Division 5A: Los Amigos is 16th.
Girls’ basketball
- Division 2-AA: Orangewood is first.
- Division 5A: Magnolia is sixth, Los Amigos ninth, Orange 15th (tie).
Boys’ soccer
- Division 1: Edison is fourth.
- Division 2: Santiago is seventh.
Girls’ soccer
- Division 1: Pacifica is ninth
- Division 7: Loara is first.
Girls’ water polo
- Divisions 1 and 2: Santiago is 20th, Huntington Beach 22nd.
- Division 4: Edison is third.
- Division 6: Loara is fifth.
- Division 7: Westminster is fourth, Rancho Alamitos is eighth and La Quinta is 10th.
Prep Sport Spotlight is posted each Tuesday during the high school athletic year.