Southern California high school basketball regionals begin Tuesday

BOYS

Los Angeles Loyola (26-3) at Woodland Hills Taft (24-5), Tuesday, 7 p.m. — Loyola hasn’t played since losing to Lawndale Leuzinger on Feb. 26. While the Cubs try to shake off their rust in this Division I game, they’ll have another obstacle to deal with: Taft guard Jordan Gathers, who was a starter for Loyola last season. “He’ll probably know our play calls, so we’ll have to execute,” Loyola Coach Jamal Adams said. The winner is expected to take on Leuzinger in a quarterfinal game on Thursday.

Long Beach Poly (26-4) at Los Angeles Crenshaw (21-4), Tuesday, 7 p.m. — Crenshaw lost in a City Division I semifinal but still gets a home game to start the regionals. “We’re excited,” Coach Ed Waters said. Two of the top freshmen in the state face each other: Crenshaw’s Isaac Hamilton and Poly’s Roschon Prince. Hamilton is coming off a subpar performance in a loss to Taft. Senior Reynaul Baker is the key player for Crenshaw. The winner will likely take on Etiwanda in a quarterfinal.

— Eric Sondheimer

GIRLS

Etiwanda (24-7) at Moreno Valley Canyon Springs (26-4), Tuesday, 7 p.m. — Etiwanda gave Brea Olinda, the No. 2-ranked team in the nation by MaxPreps.com, a tough game in late January. Canyon Springs almost defeated Southern Section 1A champion Santa Monica in early December. Etiwanda is led by 6-foot-1 junior forward Jada Blackwell, who is averaging 12.2 points, and 6-2 senior center Jasmine Bernard, who is averaging 11 points. Canyon Springs is led by junior point guard Tear’a Laudermill, who is averaging 16.9 points; 6-0 senior guard Amber Smith, who is averaging 15.2; and 6-2 junior center Sophia Ederaine, who is averaging 10.

— Melissa Rohlin