CIF Opening Round Playoffs (All games 7:30 p.m. Friday) : St. Bernard at Pius X (5-A)
Pius (17-9) offers a challenge in 6-8 center Rich Antee and has a fine athlete in forward Anthony Jenkins, but the Vikings (16-7) should be able to take this one if they get their running game going. Point guard Reggie Howard keys a strong fast break that features Errol Talley, Kikrland Howling and sophomore David Whitmore up front. Howard leads a balanced scoring attack. Jenkins is Pius’ top scorer.
Crescenta Valley at Inglewood (4-A)
The Sentinels (12-10) put together a great run in the Ocean League until suffering their only loss last week to Culver City, but they’ll have their hands full with high-scoring Crescenta (18-7), which tied Muir for second in the tough Pacific League. The Sents will have to stop the latest in a long line of CV scoring machines, junior guard Harvey Mason, averaging more than 26 points. If they slow him down, 6-4 forward Drew Haberl picks up the slack at 17 points per game. Youthful Inglewood is run by senior point guard Brian Browing but gets most of its scoring from juniors Stacy Anderson at guard and Eric Jordan at forward.
West Torrance at Culver City (4-A)
This may be one of the most even opening round matches, pitting two strong second-place teams. West (17-6) is lead by All-CIF forward David Aaron, averaging 26 points per game. Jack Hollis and Jim Bonstein have started for three years alonside Aaron. If West has a weakness, it’s ball handling, but Aaron is good enough to bring up the ball against preassure. Culver (19-6), which beat Inglewood last Friday to tie for the Ocean League title (Inglewood won the league title by coin flip), features 6-6 center Jason Woodruff, who is averaging double figures in scoring and rebounds as well as several blocks, plus leading scorers Henry Johnson and Marvin Nelson.
Leuzinger at Pomona (3-A)
Leuzinger’s first playoff appearance in several years could end quickly against the top-seeded Red Devils. Leuzinger’s 6-10 Casey Crawford will have to contend with 6-10 junior Marcellus Lee, 6-8 Ron Draper and 6-7 Lamont Carruthers. Lee’s eligibility is pending his latest grades, but Draper leads the way with 20 points and 13 rebounds per game. Pomona (21-3) is big even at guard, where 6-4 sophomore Derwin Collins is a fine athlete. Leuzinger (14-9) has dark horse potential, having beaten Centennial. Junior forward Shelvie Washington is the steadiest player, but the Olympians also need good games from junior guards Ron Phyfier and Jack Hamler as well as Crawford.
Edison at Morningside (4-A Girls)
Morningside, which dominated a relatively weak Pioneer League at 18-7, will get a test from Edison, the third-place finisher in a strong Sunset League at 15-9. Morningside lost several games by healthy margins in its preleague schedule but went undefeated in league. LaRonda Poydras leads the Lady Monarchs.
