Shockers, upsets, and surprises (maybe) shook up the first week of the San Diego Section playoffs, which resume Feb. 25 following 120 games in boys and girls first- round and quarterfinals competition.

Twenty-seven games have been won by teams with less attractive (higher) seeds. Favorites won 93 games, a 77.5 winning percentage, according to results from seeds provided by the computer of Max Preps.

Taking them in reverse, we considered a victory by a number 9 seed over an 8 to be a surprise, with the “maybe” qualification.  Upsets were typically 10’s beating 7’s, 11’s topping 6’s, or 6’s nodding 3’s.

Shockers, and there were six of those, began on opening night when number 16 Point Loma defeated number 1 Bonita Vista, 58-57, in boys Division II.

Other jolts:

Fourteen seed Canyon Crest over 3 Army-Navy, 51-47, in boys’ II.

No. 13 Hoover over 4 Grossmont, 70-61, in boys’ IV.

No. 13 San Pasqual over 4 Eastlake, 48-34, in girls’ II.

No. 15 Granite Hills over 2 El Centro Southwest, 28-21, in a throwback to the 1940s in girls’ IV.

No. 10 Madison over 2 Helix, 45-44, in quarterfinals of girls’ III.

There were 12 games in which the 9 seed topped the 8, or the 5 beat the 4.  Those were the surprises, maybe.

No. 5 El Centro Central’s victory over No. 4 Monte Vista in the quarterfinals of Boys’ IV wasn’t a surprise but the score was, 61-41.

Seed numbers in italics.

BOYS PLAYOFFS

OPEN DIVISION

QUARTERFINALS

8 Christian 9 (21-6) 61, @1 Cathedral 72 (22-7).

5 Francis Parker (22-4) 70, @4 Foothills Christian 63(20-9).

6 Poway (24-5) 43, @3 Torrey Pines 74 (25-4).

7 Mater Dei (22-6) 60, @2 St. Augustine 65 (23-7).

SEMIFINALS

Feb 26.

5 Francis Parker vs. 1 Cathedral @TBA.

3 Torrey Pines vs. 2 St. Augustine @TBA.

D-I 

FIRST ROUND

UPPER BRACKET

16 Mount Miguel (4-21) 36, @1 Santa Fe Christian 75 (20-9).

9 Mission Bay (12-17) 66, @8 Rancho Buena Vista 58 (14-15).

12 Vista (10-19)  58, @5 Helix 72 (23-6).

13 The Bishop’s (11-18) 50, @4 San Marcos 73 (17-10).

QUARTERFINALS

9 Mission Bay (12-18) 51,  @1 Santa Fe Christian 60 (21-9).

5 Helix (23-7) 50, @4 San Marcos 73 (18-10).

SEMIFINALS

Feb. 25.

4 San Marcos.@1 Santa Fe Christian.

LOWER BRACKET

14 Westview (12-16) 38, vs. 3 El Camino 56 (23-5) @Army-Navy.

11 Rancho Bernardo (12-15) 38, @6 La Costa Canyon 64 (18-12).

10 La Jolla Country Day 48, (12-16) @7 Mission Hills 64 (17-12).

15 Montgomery (12-16) 41, @2 Carlsbad 59 (22-7).

QUARTERFINALS

6 La Costa Canyon (18-13), @3 El Camino 50 (24-5).

7 Mission Hills 41 (17-13) @2 Carlsbad 57 (23-7).

SEMIFINALS

Feb. 25.

3 El  amino @2 Carlsbad.

D-II

FIRST ROUND

UPPER BRACKET

16 Point Loma (13-16) 58, @1 Bonita Vista 57 (20-9).

9 Olympian (18-10) 55, @8 Orange Glen 63 (15-14).

12 Lincoln (11-13) 57, @5 University City 61 (18-8).

13 Serra (14-15) 73, @4 Otay Ranch 78 (19-10).

QUARTERFINALS

16 Point Loma (13-17) 51, @8 Orange Glen 54 (16-14).

5 University City 19-8) 73, @4 Otay Ranch 71 (19-11).

SEMIFINALS

Feb. 26.

8 Orange Glen @5 University City.

LOWER BRACKET

14 Canyon Crest 51 (10-19) @3 Army-Navy 47 (17-12).

11 Scripps Ranch 52 (14-10) @6 Oceanside 43 (17-11).

10 Del Norte 67 (16-11) @7 Escondido 62 (20-9).

15 Patrick Henry 60 (13-15) @2 San Diego 62 (18-10).

QUARTERFINALS

14 Canyon Crest (11-19) 42 @11 Scripps Ranch 41 (14-11).

10 Del Norte (16-2) 45, @2San Diego (19-10) 52.

SEMIFINALS

Feb. 26.

14 Canyon Crest @2 San Diego.

D-III

FIRST ROUND

UPPER BRACKET

16 Madison (11-18) 60, @1 San Ysidro 93 (21-8).

9 Ramona (12-17) 49, @8 Brawley 58 (20-9).

12 Morse (14-15) 42, @5 Granite Hills 44 (16-9).

13 Hoover (11-18) 70, @4 Grossmont 61 (16-10).

QUARTERFINALS

8 Brawley (20-10) @1 San Ysidro 105 (21-8).

13 Hoover (11-19) 48, @5 Granite hills 49 (17-9).

SEMIFINALS

Feb. 25.

5 Granite Hills @1 San Ysidro.

LOWER BRACKET

14 Pacific Ridge (19-10) 25, @3 Eastlake 73 (16-13).

11 Mission Vista (16-12) 80, @6 Tri-City 77 (17-12).

10 West Hills (14-14) 58, @7 Mt. Carmel 56 (10-19).

15 San Dieguito (8-21) 36, @2 Coronado 53 (19-9).

QUARTERFINALS

11 Mission Vista (16-13) 66, @3 Eastlake 94 (17-13).

10 West Hills (14-15) 39, @2 Coronado 63 (20-9).

SEMIFINALS

Feb. 25.

3 Eastlake @2 Coronado, @TBA.

D-IV

FIRST ROUND

UPPER BRACKET

16 Victory Christian (13-16) 53, @1 Calexico 66 (24-3).

9 Calipatria (18-10) 48, @8 Clairemont 41 (15-10).

12 Escondido Charter (13-16) 39, @5 El Centro Central 66 (15-14).

13 Chula Vista (10-16) 55, @4 Monte Vista 67(18-11).

QUARTERFINALS

9 Calipatria (18-11) 37, @1Calexico. (25-3) 70.

5 El Centro Central (16-14) 61, @4 Monte Vista 41 (18-12).

SEMIFINALS

Feb. 26.

5 El Centro Central, @1 Calexico.

LOWER BRACKET

14 Blythe Palo Verde Valley 38 (8-16), @3 High Tech San Diego 64 (17-10).

11 San Pasqual (8-19) 43, @6 El Capitan 58 (12-14).

10 Guajome Park (16-11) 32, @7 Hilltop 66 (13-16).

15 Southern California Yeshiva (11-12) 67, @2 Mabel O’Farrell 80 (24-4).

QUARTERFINALS

7 Hilltop (13-17) 56, @2 Mabel O’Farrell 63 (25-4).

6 El Capitan(13-14) 58, @3 High Tech San Diego.48 (17-11).

SEMIFINALS

Feb. 26.

6 El Capitan @2 Mabel O’Farrell..

D-V

FIRST ROUND

UPPER BRACKET

1 Fallbrook (17-8), bye.

9 Health Sciences (10-14) 58, @8 Calexico Vincent Memorial 71 (14-8).

12 Liberty (11-16) 44, @5 Classical 57 (18-8)

4 Horizon Prep (20-2), bye.

QUARTERFINALS

8 Calexico Vincent Memorial (14-9) 58, @1 Fallbrook 77 (18-8).

5 Classcial (19-8), 52, @4 Horizon Prep 41 (20-3).

Feb. 25.

SEMIFINALS

5 Classical @1 Fallbrook.

LOWER BRACKET

3 Calvin Christian (14-7), bye.

11 Gompers Prep (14-6) 60, @6 Holtville 79 (14-9).

10 Ocean View (16-14) 43, @7 High Tech Chula Vista 63 (12-9).

2 Mar Vista (18-10), bye.

QUARTERFINALS

7 High Tech Chula Vista (12-10) 51 @2 Mar Vista 70 (19-10).

6 Holtville 29 (14-10), @3 Calvin Christian  46 (15-7)

SEMIFINALS

3 Calvin Christian @2 Mar Vista.

GIRLS PLAYOFFS

OPEN DIVISION

QUARTERFINALS

8 Mater Dei (18-9) 38, @1 La Jolla Country Day 74 (28-1).

5 La Costa Canyon (22-6) 56, @4 Bonita Vista 57 (21-8).

6 The Bishop’s (17-10) 52, @3 Cathedral 77 (18-10).

7 Christian (19-10) 76, @2 Westview 51 (26-3).

SEMIFINALS

Feb. 26.

4 Bonita Vista @1 La Jolla Country Day.

7 Christian, @TBA.3 Cathedral.

D-I

UPPER BRACKET

FIRST ROUND

16 Mira Mesa (5-23) 19, @1 Mission Hills 67 (18-11).

9 San Marcos (15-13) 36, @8 Carlsbad 44 (21-8).

12 El Capitan (18-11) 53, @5 Del Norte 55, OT (20-9).

13 Imperial (21-8) 35, @4 Mount Miguel 59 (20-7).

QUARTERFINALS

5 Del Norte 48 (20-10), @4 Mount Miguel 63 (21-7).

8 Carlsbad 52 (22-8), @1 Mission Hills 55 (19-11).

SEMIFINALS

Feb. 25.

4 Mount Miguel @1 Mission Hills.

LOWER BRACKET

14 Vista (16-13) 37, @3 Rancho Bernardo 49 (21-8).

11 Scripps Ra  nch 45, (14- 4412) @6 Poway 63 (18-11).

10 Torrey Pines (16-11), 49,@7 El Camino 44 (21-8).

15 Olympian (10-19) 38,@2 Serra 57 (17-9).

QUARTERFINALS

6 Poway 61 (19-11), @3 Rancho Bernardo 34 (21-9).

10 Torrey Pines(16-12) 50, @2 Serra 60 (18-9).

SEMIFINALS

Feb. 25.

6 Poway @2Serra.

D-II

UPPER BRACKET

FIRST ROUND

16 University (11-17) 39, @1 Otay Ranch 56 (22-7).

9 Francis Parker (19-8) 52, @8 Calexico 49 (18-9).

12 Montgomery (13-16) 40, @5 Mission Vista 71 (17-9).

13 San Pasqual (14-15) 46, @4 Eastlake 34 (15-14).

QUARTERFINALS

Feb. 22

9 Francis Parker (19-9) 51, @8 Otay Ranch 60 (23-7).

13 San Pasqual 58 *(14-16). @5 Mission Vista 68 (18-9).

SEMIFINALS

Feb. 26.

8 Otay Ranch @5 Mission Vista.

LOWER BRACKET

14 West Hills (13-13) 42, @3 San Dieguito 69 (15-10).

11 Our Lady of Peace (16-13) 46, @6 Grossmont 49(15-13).

10 Chula Vista (19-10) 44, @7 Morse 58 (19-10).

15 Ramona (7-20) 28, @2 Lincoln 44 (25-4).

QUARTERFINALS

7 Morse 42 (19-11), @2 Lincoln 42 (26-4).

6 Grossmont 56 (16-13), @3 San Dieguito 42 (15-11).

SEMIFINALS

Feb. 26.

6 Grossmont @2 Lincoln.

D-III

FIRST ROUND

UPPER BRACKET

16 Maranatha (5-23) 16, @1 Point Loma 70 (19-2).

9 Sage Creek (12-10) 44 @8 Pacific Ridge 27 (15-7).

12 Hilltop (13-16) 37, @5 Mt. Carmel 41 (12-11).

13 Santana (15-14) 31, @4 Holtville 49 (21-7).

QUARTERFINALS

9 Sage Creek (12-11) 47, @1 Point Loma 52 (20-2).

5 Mt. Carmel (13-11) 63, @4 Holtville 50 (21-8).

SEMIFINALS

Feb. 25

5 Mt. Carmel, @1 Point Loma.

LOWER BRACKET

14 St. Joseph (21-8) 38, @3 Foothills Christian 58 (25-4).

11 Escondido Charter (17-12) 31, @6 Coronado 53(19-10).

10 Madison (13-16) 41, @7 Fallbrook 37 (17-11).

15 Mar Vista (7-22) 15, @2 Helix 62 (14-11).

QUARTERFINALS

10 Madison (14-16) 45, @2 Helix 44 (14-12).

6 Coronado 33 (19-11), @3 Foothills Christian 61 (26-4).

SEMIFINALS

Feb. 25.

10 Madison @3 Foothills Christian.

D-IV

FIRST ROUND

UPPER BRACKET

16 Mountain Empire (12-9) 19, @1 San Diego 61 (17-8).

9 Classical (15-13) 53, @8 El Cajon Valley 39 (16-11).

12 Mission Bay (11-18) 27, @5 Liberty 46 (19-5).

13 Escondido (6-22) 30. @4 Castle Park 34 (15-11).

QUARTERFINALS

9 Classical 44 (15-14), @1 San Diego 46 (18-8).

5 Liberty (19-6) 53, @4 Castle Park 59 (16-11).

SEMIFINALS

Feb. 26.

4 Castle Park  @1 San Diego.

LOWER BRACKET

14 Valley Center (5-17) 43, @3 Clairemont 61 (17-12).

11 Sweetwater (8-20) 35, @6 Oceanside 48 (13-12).

10 Monte Vista (13-16) 40, @7Brawley 66 (13-16).

15 GraniteHills (9-18) 28, @2  El Centro Southwest 21 (17-13).

QUARTERFINALS

6 Oceanside (14-12) 42, @3 Clairemont 54 (18-12).

15 Granite Hills (9-19) 24,  @7 Brawley 40 (14-16).

SEMIFINALS

Feb. 26

6 Brawley @3 Clairemont.

D-V

FIRST ROUND

UPPER BRACKET

1 Hoover (25-3), bye.

9 Valhalla (5-17) 46, @8 Blythe Palo Verde Valley 45 (4-20).

12 Victory Christian (5-14) 22, @5 San Ysidro 52 (11-17).

4 Mabel O’Farrell (18-4), bye.

QUARTERFINAL

9 Valhalla (5-18) 45, @1 Hoover 52 (26-3).

5 San Ysidro (12-17) 54, @4 Mabel O’Farrell 33 (18-5).

SEMIFINALS

Feb. 25

5 San Ysidro @1 Hoover..

LOWER BRACKET

3 Horizon Prep (20-2), bye.

11 Salton City West Shores (8-10) 21, @6 Preuss 24 (14-11).

10 The Cambridge (12-8) 33, @7 Guajome Park 45 (16-10).

2 Calexico Vincent Memorial (23-0), bye.

QUARTERFINALS

7 Guajome Park (16-11) 66, @2 Calexico Vincent Memorial 66 (24-0).

6 Preuss (14-12) 28, @3 Horizon Prep 38 (21-2).

SEMIFINALS

3 Horizon Prep @2 Calexico Vincent Memorial.

 

What’s in a league championship?

Especially in this era of power ratings and strengths of schedules and what they mean in playoff pairings and postseason division assignments, which will be announced today?

A league title represents essentially just bragging rights, but ask the players and coaches who achieved it and what they think when banners are hoisted in gymnasium rafters.

All will agree the accomplishment still carries weight and memories that will last.

Twenty-three league champions and four co-champions were officially crowned last night and began preparing for the second season and playoffs that start Tuesday.

LAST WEEK DECIDERS

Three races went down to the final night.

Foothills Christian, beaten at home, 68-54, two weeks before by Francis Parker, turned the tables, 80-67, in the rematch at Parker to tie the Lancers for the Coastal championship.

High Tech San Diego earned a tie for the Central championship with a 52-48 victory over co-champion Morse.

Scripps Ranch and San Diego shared the Eastern League flag after the Falcons knocked off Lincoln, 60-51, while San Diego was playing a nonleague, 70-69 win over Serra.

Calvin Christian and Classical split two league meetings and shared the Ocean circuit gonfalon.

FAMILIAR PLACE

Ray Johnson left the El Camino program after the 2013-14 season and took his San Diego Section-leading 739 career victories at the Oceanside school to college basketball.

Some things don’t change.

Johnson returned to El Camino this season and coached the Warriors to their first league championship in five seasons.

The Warriors’ Avocado East title was alphabetically first from the 23 leagues in the San Diego Section, which has 133 schools participating, compared to 18 leagues and 98 schools in football.

League	Team	W-L	Overall
Avocado East	El Camino	10-0	22-5
Avocado West	Torrey Pines	10-0	24-4
Central	Morse	8-2	14-14
	High Tech San Diego	8-2	16-10
Citrus	Victory Christian	10-0	13-15
City	Coronado	8-0	18-9
Coastal	Francis Parker	11-1	21-3
	Foothills Christian	11-1	20-8
Desert	Calipatria	5-1	17-10
Eastern	Scripps Ranch	5-3	13-10
	San Diego	5-3	17-10
Grossmont Hills	Helix	8-0	22-6
Grossmont Valley	Granite Hills	8-0	15-9
Imperial Valley	Calexico	5-1	23-3
Manzanita	Calexico Vincent Memorial	10-0	13-8
Metropolitan Mesa	Mater Dei	9-1	22-5
Ocean	Classical	7-1	17-8
	Calvin Christian	7-1	14-7
Pacific	Tri-City	7-1	17-11
Palomar	Poway	8-0	24-4
Patriot	High Tech Chula Vista	5-1	11-9
Pioneer	National University Academy	7-1	7-2
Sierra	Horizon Prep	10-0	20-2
Metropolitan South Bay	San Ysidro	12-0	20-8
Summit	Mabel O’Farrell	8-0	23-4
Valley	Escondido	10-0	20-8
Western	Cathedral	7-1	21-7