Oaks Christian, Sierra Canyon, LaCañada, Buckley and Chatsworth all reached section finals last season, but this season they could struggle to match that success.

 

Oaks Christian (20-5) lost twice to Oak Park to finish second in the Tri-Valley League, and the Lions figure to have a daunting challenge in top-heavy Div. IV-AA featuring Price, La Verne Lutheran, Bishop Montgomery, Crespi and Muir, among others.

 

After winning 27 games last season and falling one win shy of a state-championship berth, Sierra Canyon (13-13) has lost its past four games and there is a chance the Trailblazers might not make the playoffs at all.

 

"We've lost a lot of tough games this year, a lot of one-possession games," Sierra Canyon coach Ryan Silver said.

 

La Cañada (14-11), which finished 30-4 last year, won a division title and reached the Div. III regional final, has averaged more than 25 wins over the past seven seasons.

 

"The team is playing great defense, but we're having a hard time scoring points," La Cañada coach Tom Hofman said. "The effort is very good, and if we start scoring some points, we could do well in the playoffs."

 

Buckley returned most of the key players from last year's 23-6 team, yet the injury-plagued Griffins are in third place in the Liberty League, losing four league games for the first time since at least 2004.

"We're finally healthy and playing good basketball," Buckley coach Mike Hamilton said. "We have enough veteran leadership to get back to the finals. Eight of our guys went to the CIF finals and the state playoffs last year."

 

Last year, Chatsworth went 26-10 and won the City Div. III championship. This season, the Chancellors (9-21) have lost six in a row entering tonight's West Valley finale at Taft.

Bedgood steps down for Knights