DIVISION I

Favorite

Berkeley (26-2): The Yellowjackets, boasting fast and skilled players, seek their 15th title game appearance and 11th crown – the fifth since 2006.

Contenders

Lowell-San Francisco (25-4): The Cardinals aim to become the first San Francisco team to reach the final, never mind win it. History makers?

Kennedy (23-8): The Cougars are led by shooters Lori Wong and Lynette Johnson. Kennedy is an excellent passing team that competes relentlessly.

Dark horse

Oak Ridge (23-9): The Trojans' inside game is led by Lauren Sende, with shooters Jenna Klein and Jenn Hoffman on the perimeter.

DIVISION II

Favorite

St. Mary's-Stockton (28-3): The Rams are quick and defensive-minded. St. Mary's looks for its seventh Northern California title since 2000 (various divisions).

Contenders

Carondelet-Concord (26-3): The Cougars feature Notre Dame-bound Hannah Huffman, a 5-foot-9 combo guard who can shoot and handle the ball. Carondelet lost to St. Mary's 73-58 earlier.

Mitty-San Jose (24-5): The Monarchs have won seven NorCal titles (various divisions) with 13 title game appearances under coach Sue Phillips.

St. Ignatius-San Francisco (25-5): The Wildcats are a smart and balanced team that beat Mitty earlier in the season before losing to the Monarchs by one in the Central Coast Section final.

Dark horse

River City (27-3): The rested Raiders open at Pleasant Valley-Chico (35-3). Katie King leads the way for River City.

DIVISION III

Favorite

Sacramento (25-6): The Dragons crave a rematch with Bishop O'Dowd in the championship game. Dragons star Jasmine Ware could be the difference maker.

Contenders

Bishop O'Dowd-Oakland (26-3): These Dragons are the only group as fast as Sacramento. They have three inside players who stand 6-foot-2.

Sacred Heart Cathedral-San Francisco (15-14): Never mind the record. Heed the results, including a 61-56 upset over Terra Nova in the Central Coast Section final.

Terra Nova-Pacifica (23-6): The Tigers had an 11-game winning streak halted in the section final.

Dark horse

Miramonte-Orinda (28-1): It's not often a 28-1 team is a long shot, but the Matadors did not play a monster schedule and were crushed by O'Dowd 73-49 in the North Coast final.

DIVISION IV

Favorite

St. Mary's-Albany (24-7): The Panthers are so deep that the star is sophomore Gabby Green. A victory against D-I power Berkeley and two over rival Salesian were eye-openers.

Contenders

Salesian-Richmond (28-3): The Pride rallied from an early 13-point deficit to beat St. Mary's 49-42 in the North Coast Section final. Super sophomore Mariya Moore leads Salesian.

Calaveras (28-3): The Redskins are fresh off their first Sac-Joaquin Section title since 1975. Calaveras has won 14 of 15 games and could face St. Mary's in the semifinals.

Dark horse

Soquel (25-4): The Knights won the Central Coast Section but didn't have a monster schedule. They have won 17 of their last 19 games.

DIVISION V

Favorite

Brookside Christian-Stockton (26-4): The Knights have won 14 of 15 behind sophomore guard Tiara Tucker, whose scoring average of 26.3 is actually down from her freshman season.

Contenders

Eastside Prep-Palo Alto (15-13): The Panthers played a murderous schedule, including a blowout loss to Brookside Christian.

Hamilton-Hamilton City (29-0): Despite being undefeated, the Braves are seeded fourth because they are relatively unknown. Senior forward Aubrey Bekendam averages 20.3 points per game.

Dark horse

Pinewood-Los Altos Hills (18-12): It's never wise to ignore Pinewood, which has won three consecutive titles and five of the past seven.

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