Feb. 22--Ranking the top 25 high school baseball teams in the Southland:
Rank, TEAM, Comment
1. HUNTINGTON BEACH: Defending Division 1 champions loaded with talent.
2. ORANGE LUTHERAN: Best pitching staff in Trinity League.
3. JSERRA: Chase Strumpf, Brady Shockey, Royce Lewis are impressive trio.
4. SOUTH HILLS: Strong infield and pitching depth.
5. CHATSWORTH: Tommy Palomera, Josh Garcia lead top pitching duo.
6. DAMIEN: Coach Andy Nieto is ready to make title run.
7. HARVARD-WESTLAKE: Top hitters in Jake Suddleson and Cameron Deere.
8. EL CAMINO REAL: Return City Section co-MVPs Jeremy Polon and Eric Yang.
9. VISTA MURRIETA: The Moberg brothers, Jake and Jack, lead Broncos.
10. OAKS CHRISTIAN: Stanford-bound P Carson Rudd leads seven returning starters.
11. CORONA SANTIAGO: Sophomore Brice Turang is tough out.
12. SANTA MARGARITA: Good combination of youth and experience.
13. MOORPARK: Pitching depth will be key.
14. BECKMAN: Sophomore Matt McLain was league MVP as a freshman.
15. MATER DEI: Improved hitting should make Monarchs dangerous.
16. JW NORTH: Infield is very good, led by Shane Martinez.
17. MIRA COSTA: Trevor Franklin and Will Proctor can compete with best.
18. LONG BEACH MILLIKAN: Can win the always competitive Moore League.
19. S.O. NOTRE DAME: Hunter Greene is two-way standout.
20. ALEMANY: Beware of freshman shortstop Caden Miller.
21. SIMI VALLEY: Pitching and OF Cal Hodgins should carry Pioneers.
22. BONITA: Seven starters return, led by pitcher A.J. Woodall.
23. LOS ALAMITOS: Strong performance in winter ball, led by Kyle Mora.
24. DANA HILLS: Junior pitcher Hans Crouse is one of the best.
25. LOYOLA: Lots of pitching depth, led by Holden Groff.
