DIVISION IV : Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach Face Test

The Southern Section’s Division IV-AA isn’t exactly an Orange County stronghold. Only two county teams are in the 15-team draw, and neither Corona del Mar nor Laguna Beach figures to make much of an impact.

This division’s strength lies elsewhere. De Anza League champion Twentynine Palms (17-4) received the No. 1 seeding Sunday and Banning of Riverside County (17-5, De Anza League runner-up) was seeded second.

Led by Todd Merriman, who averages 17 points, Corona del Mar (13-12) qualified as an at-large selection from the Sea View League.

The Sea Kings play at third-seeded Hemet West Valley (14-11) in the first round tonight.

Laguna Beach (13-9) finished third in the Pacific Coast League and is led by Taylor Butcher and Ian McDonald. The Artists play host to Encino Crespi (12-12) tonight.

Best bet for the championship matchup: Banning vs. Twentynine Palms.

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If Oxnard Santa Clara, winner of four consecutive section championships, can do no better than a No. 3 seeding, the Division IV-A must be pretty tough, right?

Indeed. Santa Monica Crossroads (20-3) is top seeded and plays host to Orange Lutheran (11-11) in the first round Friday night. The Roadrunners are the division’s defending champion. Santa Clara dropped down from the IV-AA this season.

Gardena Serra (16-6) is seeded second, Santa Clara (18-5) is third and Los Angeles Verbum Dei (19-4) is fourth.

Whittier Christian (14-10) is the only other county team in the division. The Heralds, who last won a section championship in 1989, play at Sun Valley Village Christian (18-4) Friday.

Best bet for the championship matchup: Santa Clara vs. Crossroads.

Division IV-AA, IV-A at a Glance

Defending champions: Oxnard Santa Clara (IV-AA), Santa Monica Crossroads (IV-A).

Top teams: IV-AA--Twentynine Palms (17-4), Banning (17-5). IV-A--Crossroads (20-3), Gardena Serra (16-6), Santa Clara (18-5), Los Angeles Verbum Dei (19-4).

Dark horses: IV--AA--Morro Bay (15-7). IV-A--Sun Valley Village Christian (18-4).

Top players: IV-AA--Taylor Butcher (Laguna Beach), Ray Caldwell (San Jacinto), Ian McDonald (Laguna Beach), Lamar Malone (Banning), Todd Merriman (Corona del Mar). IV-A--Brian Clark (Santa Clara).

Best draws: IV-AA--Twentynine Palms has a first-round bye, and there isn’t a team with more than 13 victories in its half of the bracket. What be easier? IV-A--Crossroads. Being top-seeded has its rewards.

Worst draws: IV-AA--Corona del Mar (13-12) gets third-seeded Hemet West Valley (14-11). IV-A--Third-seeded Santa Clara (18-5) plays Panorama City St. Genevieve (12-8). Defending champions deserve better than a No. 3 seeding.

Notes: Santa Clara, under longtime Coach Lou Cvijanovich, is trying for its fifth consecutive section championship. Crossroads is going after its second consecutive title. . . . The seedings: IV-AA--No. 1 Twentynine Palms, 2. Banning, 3. West Valley, 4. San Jacinto. IV-A--1. Crossroads, 2. Serra, 3. Santa Clara, 4. Verbum Dei.