Hoopla Builds as Area Teams Try to Take Another Step : Boys’ preview: Westchester meets Capistrano Valley, Morningside plays Lemoore and Serra battles Santa Clara in regional semifinals.

After watching his team breeze through the L.A. City Section playoffs and winning its second 4-A Division title last week, Westchester High boys’ basketball Coach Ed Azzam expected his team might struggle in the state regionals.

So the Comets’ 78-69 victory over North of Riverside Tuesday night in the Southern California Division I quarterfinals came as no surprise.

But Azzam believes the game may have been what second-seeded Westchester (27-2) needed as it prepared for a semifinal game against Capistrano Valley at 7:30 tonight at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Capistrano Valley advanced with a 67-60 victory over Poway on Tuesday.

“The first time out, the kids are a little in awe,” Azzam said. “It’s just nice to get it out of the way. There are some good teams playing at this level. We just have to be able to adjust and be ready for each game.”

Azzam said he is especially concerned about Capistrano Valley’s outside shooting.

“They have a very good shooting guard (Tom Airey) and he’s a very good three-point shooter,” Azzam said.

Airey, a 6-foot-1 senior who has signed a national letter of intent to attend Loyola Marymount in the fall, was the Southern Section leader in three-point baskets during the regular season with 107. The Cougars (29-3), who won the Southern Section 1-AA title, also have a standout guard in David Sedgwick and a strong forward in Steve Ransom.

But Azzam said the Comets will be entering the game with the proper attitude.

“This is the most confident team we’ve ever had,” he said. “They’re not cocky but they’ve always been very confident in their ability.”

The Comets, who played well offensively against North, have been led by guard James Gray and forward Lorenzo Ball. Gray scored 20 points and Ball had 19 against North.

But Azzam says one of the biggest factors in Westchester’s success has been its depth. He was quick to mention reserve guard James Towns, who had nine points, three steals and three assists against North.

“We really have eight starters and then we have two other players who we can go to,” Azzam said. “So we’re not afraid to go to our bench.”

Win or lose against Capistrano Valley, the Comets have already experienced more success in the postseason than last season when they won the City 4-A title only to lose to Long Beach Jordan in the first round of the regional.

Two other South Bay boys’ basketball teams have also advanced into the regional semifinals and will play at 7:30 tonight.

Morningside will play host to Lemoore in a Division III game and Serra will meet Santa Clara in a Division IV game at Ventura College.

After a lopsided 96-55 victory Tuesday over Fresno Central, Morningside (22-6) will put a 14-game win streak on the line against Lemoore.

“I feel good about the way we’re playing now,” Coach Carl Franklin said. “I just hope we can keep up the momentum. I’m pleased with how we’re playing, but no matter how hard you are playing, you can always play a little harder.”

Morningside has been led in the playoffs by guards Donminic Ellison and Stais Boseman. Ellison scored 16 points and Boseman added 14 against Central.

Franklin said he does not know a lot about Lemoore (22-7), which defeated San Dimas, 59-54, Tuesday. But he does not expect the Monarchs will have to make any major adjustments.

“I don’t think you can change too much at this point,” he said. “There’s not a whole lot you can do, especially in one day.”

Serra also played well in a 86-67 victory over Fresno Washington on Tuesday in the Division IV regional, but the Cavaliers will be tested by Santa Clara.

The Saints (26-3), who have reached the state Division IV final three seasons in a row, have won 16 consecutive games. Santa Clara rolled over Clairemont of San Diego, 94-50, on Tuesday.

Santa Clara is led by 6-foot-5 forward Stevie Amar, who averages 15.8 points a game. Isaiah Mustafa, a 6-3 center, is a force inside and guard Art Barron is an outstanding three-point shooter.

Serra, which will have a size advantage over the Saints, has been led by senior guard Dan Carpenter, who averages 23 points. But players such as center Akeli Jackson and forwards Arthur Tate and Michael Boyd have stepped forward in the playoffs.

Boyd, a 6-5 junior, scored 21 points and Tate, a 6-7 junior, added 21 against Washington.