HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS' BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS.

Byline: - Gerry Gittelson

TONIGHT, 7:30

SOUTHERN SECTION DIV. I-AA

WILD-CARD

VALENCIA (16-11) at PARAMOUNT (19-9)

Outlook: Valencia hopes to ride the momentum after climbing from last place in the Foothill League by winning four of its last five games over the past 2 1/2 weeks.

Brooke Sansone, a 5-foot-5 junior, leads a balanced offense, averaging 9.4 points. She loves to shoot from the outside, connecting on 38 3-pointers (43 percent) - including five in a nonleague victory last month over Louisville of Woodland Hills. After graduating most of its top players last season - including all-time leading scorer Kelley Tarver and fellow four-year starter Day Weathersby - Valencia has been plagued by turnovers (522), so it will important to take care of the basketball.

Streaky Paramount started the season by winning nine of 10, and the Pirates are 4-1 over the last five. Genesis Lewis, a 5-10 forward, averages 14.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.7 steals.

SOUTHERN SECTION DIV. I-A

WILD-CARD

SAUGUS (18-8) at SANTA MARIA (11-13)

Outlook: For a team that won 18 games, Saugus received a tough draw. If the Centurions can survive the long trip up the Central Coast, the reward is a first-round matchup Saturday at top-seeded Ventura.

After winning its first 10 games against soft competition, Saugus finished tied for second with three teams in the league standings but enters the postseason as a No. 4 at-large entry. Gabby Conn (9.0 points, 7.5 rebounds) and Nia Martinez (8.0 points) are the top scorers.

Santa Maria has lost four of its past five, three by 24 points or more. Irene Maldonado, a 6-foot center, averages 11.6 points and 9.3 rebounds.

SOUTHERN SECTION DIV. III-A

FIRST ROUND

GOLDEN VALLEY (14-12) at ATASCADERO (15-9)

Outlook: Golden Valley, a seniorless freelance program in its first varsity season, has experienced difficulty against quality opponents. Half of its loses have been 15 points or more (five by 20 or more).

The Grizzlies, coached by former Canyon coach Troy Best, could be peaking at the right time after winning eight of their past 10. Among the top players are Meredith Mathis (13.8 points per game), Alyssa Hernandez (11.3) and Tera McKelvey (9.8).

Atascadero is a scrappy team that shoots just 37 percent from the floor but averages 13.5 steals. Hannah Donaghe, a 5-11 junior, averages 22.5 points, including three 30-point performances over the past eight games. No one else averages more than five points.

SOUTHERN SECTION DIV. V-AA

FIRST ROUND

SCOTT ACADEMY (7-10) at FAITH BAPTIST of Canoga Park (9-10)

Outlook: A victory means Scott Academy, playing under its third head coach in three years, meetsd top-seeded Pacific Hills of West Hollywood, which has a first-round bye.

SANTA CLARITA CHRISTIAN (8-13) at HOLY MARTYRS of Encino (18-6)

Outlook: After winning just two games last season, Santa Clarita Christian has made significant improvement under first-year coach Bob Gaby. The team's biggest problem has been shooting - the Cardinals have surpassed 50 points just once this season.