Boys’ basketball: Top five for 2012

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Here’s my forecast for the top five basketball teams for 2012:

1. Mater Dei. The Monarchs will be next season’s Long Beach Poly, starting out as everyone’s No. 1 team. Then we’ll see how much they can improve.

2. Los Angeles Loyola. Don’t forget the Cubs almost beat Mater Dei in the state playoffs. Julian Harrell, Parker Cartwright, Jacob Hazzard and Justin Childress are all back. Beware of the Cubs.

3. La Verne Lutheran. Besides Grant Jerrett and Eric Cooper, watch out for guard Cameron Osorno. He was impressive on Saturday in the Division III final.

4. Woodland Hills Taft. The Toreadors have some talented young players who will get the chance to contribute.

5. North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake. When you have 6-8 Zena Edosomwan and 6-7 Josh Hearlihy to build around, you’re going to be just fine.

-- Eric Sondheimer