Boys' basketball: Public schools flourishing in some divisions

Let's hear it for the public schools in basketball divisions 1 through 3. Eighty of the 88 teams left in the boys' playoffs are public schools.

I'd say the Southern Section coaches who wanted to give more opportunities to the public schools are getting their wish _ except there are a few powerful private schools left.

Eight private schools still have a chance to win championships  _ Mater Dei (1AA), Loyola (1AA), Orange Lutheran (1A), Damien (3AAA), Alemany (3A), Bishop Amat (3A), Santa Margarita (3A) and St. John Bosco (3A).

Of course, the private schools dominate divisions 4A through 6, with all eight quarterfinalists in 4AA. The divisions are broken down based on enrollment and past performance for the previous two years.

-- Eric Sondheimer