Portola top-seeded team in PCL post-season tournament beginning Thursday night

Portola players head to the bench during a timeout in a game earlier this season. (PHOTO: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

Portola’s boys basketball team is the top seeded squad for the annual Pacific Coast League post season tournament that begins Thursday.

All the games will start at 7 p.m.

All eight teams in the league will compete in the tournament, which will determine the league’s four automatic CIF playoff qualifiers. The regular season standings are also factored in.

Portola (20-5) will host No. 8 St. Margaret’s Thursday at 7 p.m. after reaching the 20-win mark for the first time in school history, according to Coach Brian Smith. The Bulldogs were 7-0 in league play.

Games will continue Friday and then the final day will be at Woodridge on Tuesday, Feb. 3.

Portola wrapped up the regular season Tuesday with a 64-49 victory over Northwood. Lucas Ip had 20 points and Max Paulsen 17 points for the Bulldogs.

“We are excited for the challenge of being the number one seed knowing that we have a bullseye on our back,” said Portola Coach Brian Smith.

With 20 wins, Portola may have strengthened its chances of advancing to the CIF playoffs, regardless of the outcome in the tournament.

“You would think but if you remember last year, there were teams who were left out with good records,” Smith said. “Our goal is to take it one game at a time. Win the first round and we’re automatically a qualifier.”

Opening round Thursday:

No. 8 St. Margaret’s at No. 1 Portola

No. 5 Sage Hill at No. 4 Northwood

No. 7 University at No. 2 Irvine

No. 6 Laguna Beach at No. 3 Woodbridge.

Games continue Friday.

“Whoever is the top seed will have the home game. If you win on Thursday, you move to the right (semis); if you lose on Thursday you move to the left (consolation semis),” said Woodbridge Coach Steve Scoggin.

On Tuesday, games will be held at 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

This year’s PCL tournament will be the last due to releaguing next year, according to Scoggin.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com