By Stephen Ramirez
It’s been a sweet season for the La Mirada High School boys basketball team, and it may get a little more tastier for the Matadores in the weeks to come.
La Mirada, after winning its first league title since 1982, was one of two area teams to receive a top seed when the CIF-Southern Section released its boys basketball playoff pairings on Sunday. The other area team to get a No. 1 draw was Sonora, which is the top seed in Division 3AA after advancing to the 2A finals last season before losing.
The Matadores, benefitting from being left out of the Open Division bracket, which was released on Friday, are No. 1 in Division 2A. The Open Division was released on Friday, with area No. 1 Cantwell getting a No. 11 seed. The Cardinals will be at No. 6 Etiwanda on Thursday.
First-round games in the 1AA, 1A, 2AA, and 2A divisions are scheduled for Friday with 3AA, 3A, 4AA and 4A set to begin on Wednesday. All games are tentatively slated for 7:30 p.m. starts.
“It was nice to be recognized as one of the better teams in Southern California,” La Mirada coach Bryce Jones said. “But we’re happy to be in Division 2A. We’re confident, and we’re excited to be a No. 1 seed.”
AREA SCHEDULE
THURSDAY’S FIRST-ROUND GAMES
OPEN DIVISION
Cantwell at Etiwanda
FRIDAY’S GAMES
DIVISION IAA
No. 4 Santa Margarita at Montebello
Schurr at No. 2 Tustin
Cal at No. 2 Village Christian
DIVISION 1A
Santa Fe at No. 14 Glendale
DIVISION 2AA
Eisenhower at No. 14 Whittier
DIVISION 2A
West Covina at No. 1 La Mirada
WEDNESDAY’S FIRST-ROUND GAMES
DIVISION 3AA
Bloomington at No. 1 Sonora
DIVISION 3A
Pacifica/Garden Grove at No. 13 Pioneer
DIVISION 4A
No. 13 Whittir Chr. at 29 Palms
St. Paul at No. 2 Campbell Hall