THIS WEEK’S BOYS’ High Five is again topped by Edison (Shutterstock).

As the high school boys’ basketball season proceeds for our West Orange County schools and teams, many of the league races are a bit muddled, but none as much as the way leagues are grouped and named.

Take, for instance, the North Hills League. Five schools, four of of which (arguably) are located in hilly areas in a northern-ish area of Orange County.

But how did Pacifica in Garden Grove end up there? The only hill would be the Springdale Street overpass at the San Diego Freeway where the annual Soapbox Derby is held.

You might think that the Mariners belong in the new Grove (not Garden Grove, but just “Grove”) League, but it’s entirely devoid of schools in Garden Grove or even part of the Garden Grove Unified School District.

In the name of “competitive equity” all traditions and historic rivalries are busted. Confusion reigns and bus rides are turning into real road trips. Newer isn’t always better.

Beach teams reign

In this week’s High Five for boys’ basketball (girls’ rankings on Saturday) for our area, three teams from Huntington Beach are again on top, with Edison (15-8) leading the pack.

But the Chargers aren’t on top of the Sunset League because the Los Alamitos Griffins are 14-9 overall but 7-0 in league compared to Edison’s 5-2.

Following in our High Five are Marina in second, Huntington Beach in third and Los Amigos in fourth. The Lobos are tied for first in the Coast League with Savanna (both 3-1) and will meet again on Jan. 24 in the Lobo gym.

Fifth is Pacifica and “on the bubble” are Garden Grove (13-11) and La Quinta (12-11), which happens to be leading the Orange League at 5-0. They played second place Saddleback (3-2) Tuesday night at the Roadrunner gym and won 58-53,

Notable accomplishment

The Orange High boys’ team broke a 19-game home losing streak last week by defeating Santa Ana Valley 44-36. The Panthers are 3-20 overall but still in third place in the Grove League.

Tuesday’s results ….
• Boys
Anaheim 54, Orange 51
Torbut V’Torah 77, Bolsa Grande  36
La Quinta 58, Saddleback 53.
• Girls
Anaheim 34, Manolia 37
Orange 36, Los Amigos 34
La Quinta 51, Santiago 6
Hunt. Beach. 54, Edison 18
Marina 34, Saddleback 31