The strength of the Bay League was evident when all six teams advanced to the CIF Southern Section/Ford Boys Basketball Championships.
Playing under first-year coach Reggie Morris Jr., Redondo Union (18-8, 10-0) capped off a perfect Bay League season with a 43-41 home victory over Leuzinger Thursday evening. Ian Fox led the Sea Hawks with 13 points and Derek Biale added 12 points.
Morris led Leuzinger to a CIF title in 2010.
The Sea Hawks earned the No. 2 seed in Division 2A and will host Newbury Park (7-19) in the first round on Friday. All games with the exception of the finals are scheduled to tip-off at 7 p.m.
The winner will take on the Godinez-El Modena winner in the second round on Tuesday, Feb. 19.
Mira Costa (19-9, 6-4) finished in third place in the Bay League with a 50-47 win over Palos Verdes. Justin Strings scored 18 points and Oliver Mausner had 11 points in the win.
Coach Jeff Amaral’s Mustangs are ranked No. 5 in Division 2AA and will host Cathedral City (17-7) in the opening round.
The winner will face either No. 12 Oxnard or its opponent, Ontario, in the second round.
Also in Division 2AA, No. 16 Peninsula (11-15) earned an at-large berth out of the Bay League and will play at Lancaster (15-9). Pioneer League champion Lawndale (18-8) hosts Canyon (Canyon Country) (14-12) in the first round.
Division 3AAA action began Wednesday. West Torrance (17-10) earned an at-large berth and is ranked No. 14. The Warriors opened with a 62-44 road win at Sunset champion Colton and will host No. 3 Hart (25-2) in the second round Friday.
Pioneer League runner-up North Torrance (14-12) lost a thriller at Hart 86-83 and South Torrance (16-10), the Pioneer League’s third team, was eliminated by No. 9 Bonita.
Bay League runner-up Leuzinger (20-7) earned the No. 1 seed in Division 3AA and defeated San Juan Hills 71-57 in the first round Wednesday. The Olympians play at Esperanza (9-19) in the second round Friday.
Palos Verdes (7-19) was awarded an at-large berth out of the Bay League but suffered a 60-51 road loss to No. 6 San Marcos.
Unbeaten Del Rey champion Bishop Montgomery (27-0) is the top seed in Division 4AA and throttled visiting Whittier Christian 101-36 on Wednesday. The Knights host Twentynine Palms (18-6) on Friday.
Del Rey runner-up Serra (Gardena) (21-6) earned the fourth seed in Division 4AA and eliminated Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks 56-44. The Cavaliers travel to No. 12 Sierra Canyon for a second-round contest.
In Division 5AA, Chadwick (10-14) was an at-large entry out of the Prep League but lost at No. 16 Loma Linda Academy 75-71 in overtime on Wednesday.
Playoff brackets are available at cifss.org.
