Division II-A bracket updated 03/04/00

Who: No. 1 Artesia (29-2) v. No. 2 Ocean View (28-2)
Where: The Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim
When: 12:30 p.m.
What: CIF Southern Section Division II-AA Championship

We're pressed for time today, so we're just going to give you the preview contained in the official CIF program materials, written by Thom Simmons, CIF Southern Section sports information officer. Here's what Tom had to say about the finals (with a couple of additions from us):

With a field of 312 teams now narrowed down to 18, nine titles will be awarded in the 2000 version of th eCIF Southern section Boys Basketball Championships. There will be those looking to repeat and those hoping to make history for their schools. There are traditional powerhouses, and those beginning traditinos. When play begings at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim and at Gersten Pavilion at Loyola Marymount University, not only with Southern Section Champions be crowned, but teams will be looking for momentum to carryinto the CIF Sttate Boys Basketball Championships. Here's a closer look at these exciting matchups:

Sixth ranked Artesia (USA Today) faces another tough obstacle in second-seeded Ocean View in its quest for the Division IIA title. Artesia, the No. 1 seed and Surburban League Champion, is looking to repeat as divisional champion. Artesia won the Division IAA title the past two seasons, but this year dropped back down to their normal enrollment level, which is II-A. The Pioneers have a 29-2 record that includes preliminary round wins against Savanna (102-54), Bloomington (104-45), Laguna hills (94-54), and Muir (70-36). Leading Artesia are Amaury Fernandez (19.8 ppg) and Jack Martinez with a 19.7 ppg and 10.3 rpg regular season average. If you want a look at the full roster, we did a preview of Artesia and it can be found at this link.

Second seeded Ocean View, coached by Jim Harris, is seeking its second cfhampionship in the past three years. A semifinalist last year, the Seahawks feature Artesia-transfer Marques Crane (22.1 ppg) Jeremiah Bell (15.9 ppg) and Torin Beeler (15.4 ppg). After winning the Golden West League this season, Ocean View has gone on to defeat Rancho Alamitos (84-50), Burroughs Ridgecrest (59-55), Magnolia (59-41), and Mayfriar 71-56.

We just don't have the time to post the full roster right now, but here's another look at the bracket:

February 18			Second Round February 22	Quarterfinals Feb. 25 Alternate Site	Semifinals Feb. 29 Alternate Site	Finals March 4 The Pond
Upper half of Bracket
Savanna 54	@	Artesia 102	Artesia 104 @ Bloomington 45	Laguna Hills 53 @ Gahr HS *Artesia 94	Artesia 70 @TBA *Muir 36	Artesia Saturday 12:30 p.m. Brea Olinda
Bloomington 76	@	Southwest 48	Artesia 104 @ Bloomington 45
South Hills 72	@	Pacifica 76	Pacifica 53 @ Laguna Hills 75
Temple City 72	@	Laguna Hills 78	Pacifica 53 @ Laguna Hills 75
Culver City 62	@	Elsinore 77	Charter Oak 56 @ Elsinore 77	Elsinore 59 @Pasadena CC *Muir 71
Brawley 48	@	Charter Oak 80	Charter Oak 56 @ Elsinore 77
Servite 60	@	Burbank Burroughs 54	Muir 78 @ Servite 74
Lompoc 51	@	Muir 89	Muir 78 @ Servite 74
Lower half of Bracket			Second Round	Quarterfinals	Semifinals
Los Altos 41	@	Mayfair 70	Mayfair 59 @ Fullerton 41	Bolsa Grande 32 @Bellflower HS *Mayfair 57	*Mayfair56 @TBA Ocean View 71
Fullerton 59	@	Rosemead 48	Mayfair 59 @ Fullerton 41
Barstow 62	@	Bonita 74	Bonita 70 @ Bolsa Grande 78
Newbury Park 75	@	Bolsa Grande 88	Bonita 70 @ Bolsa Grande 78
Glenn 58	@	Magnolia 59	Magnolia 71 @ Bishop Amat 54	Magnolia 41 @Marina HS *Ocean View 59
Bishop Amat 77	@	Central Union 71	Magnolia 71 @ Bishop Amat 54
Burroughs Ridgecrest 62	@	La Habra 47	Ocean View 59 @ Ridgecrest Burroughs 56
Rancho Alamitos 50	@	Ocean View 84	Ocean View 59 @ Ridgecrest Burroughs 56