LINKS: Boys Basketball pairings

By Fred Robledo
There were no big surprises following the release of the CIF Southern Section boys basketball pairings on Sunday, just a lot of playoff matchups to dissect now that the road to the championships are clear.One year after Damien advanced to the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Open Division playoffs, the Spartans are hoping that a difficult schedule has prepared them for a deeper run in 2017.But the Spartans’ road could come with an extremely difficult second-rounder should it survive the opener.
Damien (24-3), whose only losses were to Chino Hills (twice) and Mater Dei, the second and third seeds respectively, will host Corona Centennial (23-6), a second-place team from the Big VIII, in the first round on Friday. The winner will likely take on top-seed Sierra Canyon (25-1) in the second round.
Essentially, Damien was given an eighth seed.
“I was confident we would be seeded either five or eight,” Damien coach Mike LeDuc said. “We couldn’t be six or seven because Chino Hills earned the second seed so we couldn’t be on that side of the bracket. The committee obviously felt Santa Margarita (20-6, fifth seed) was above us.
“But really, I feel like all 16 teams are great. Whoever you play is a ridiculously tough challenge, just step up and do the best you possibly can. If you win, you have to play one of those big four teams in the second round so don’t worry about it, just play.”
In any case, Damien is guaranteed at least two games in the divisional playoffs because of a consolation bracket in the Open Division, and it also is an automatic qualifier for the state playoffs in March.
One of the most intriguing local divisions for area fans is Division 1A, where Los Altos and super sophomore Jarod Lucas are hoping the chances of hanging a first banner are real.
Los Altos (20-5) earned the third-seed and will have a bye to the second round. It will play the winner between Peninsula (17-9) and Thousand Oaks (16-10) in the second round on Friday.
In Division 1A first round games Wednesday, Walnut (20-7), which finished second to Los Altos in the Hacienda, will be home against Loyola (16-9) while Palomares league champion Bonita (19-6) hosts Tesoro (16-10) .
Division 3A boasts an exciting first-round game on Wednesday with Valle Vista league champion San Dimas (19-8) hosting Hacienda at-large Charter Oak (14-10). West Covina (16-11) will be at Arroyo Grande (16-11).
Bishop Amat (20-6), which tied for second in the Camino Real, will host a first round game in Division 3AA against Mission Viejo (14-12).
Glendora and Diamond Bar were both awarded at-large berths to Division 3AA and will be on the road in the first round. Glendora (15-12) is at Ocean View (21-6) while Diamond Bar (14-13) is at Godinez (25-3).
Division 4AA appears wide open with several locals having a good chance to go deep, especially Montview League champion Workman (20-5), who will host Jurupa Valley (15-10) in the first round Wednesday.
South Hills (14-14) earned an at-large berth from the Palomares and is on the road at Westminster (13-13). If South Hills and Workman win it will meet in the second round.
Rowland (18-8) finished second to San Dimas in the Valle Vista, and will host Jurupa Hills (14-12) in the first round while Covina (17-11) travels to take on San Marino (13-13).
Rosemead (10-12) was the lone team in Division 4A and will be on the road at Salesian (12-14).
In Division 5AA, Sierra Vista (12-15) will host Arrowhead Christian (15-9) and Nogales (9-17) will make the trip up the hill to take on Big Bear (14-10) in wild card games Wednesday. Mountain View (17-10) will host Edgewood (19-6) in a the first round on Friday.

BOYS BASKETBALL LOCAL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
All games start at 7 p.m.
Open Division – Friday’s first round
Corona Centennial at Damien
Division 1A – Wednesday’s first round
Los Altos bye (Peninsula-Thousand Oaks winner Friday)
Loyola at Walnut
Tesoro at Bonita
Division 3AA – Wednesday’s first round
Mission Viejo at Bishop Amat
Glendora at Ocean View
Diamond Bar at Godinez
Division 3A – Wednesday’s first round
Charter Oak at San Dimas
West Covina at Arroyo Grande
Division 4AA – Wednesday’s first round
Jurupa Valley at Workman
South Hills at Westminster
Covina at San Marino
Jurupa Hills at Rowland
Division 4A – Wednesday’s first round
Rosemead at Salesian
Division 5AA – Wednesday’s wild card
Arrowhead Christian at Sierra Vista
Nogales at Big Bear
Edgewood at Mountain View (Friday’s first round)