McDonald’s All-American Alijah Arenas and Chatsworth awarded top seed in L.A. City Section Open Division boys basketball playoffs

Chatsworth has won multiple CIF-L.A. City Section boys basketball titles, but the Chancellors have never captured a championship in the top division.

Led by McDonald’s All-American Alijah Arenas, Chatsworth (20-7) secured the top seed in Open Division playoffs, with the eight-team bracket showcasing games Wednesday, followed by the semifinals Feb. 24 and the championship game March 1 at Pasadena City College.

Arenas scored a career-high 63 points Feb. 12 in a 115-53 victory against Sylmar and has scored more than 2,600 points in three seasons with the Chancellors.

Alijah Arenas of Chatsworth boys basketball | Photo courtesy of Chatsworth

Chatsworth, which also features V’Elijah Miller and Tekeio Phillips, won the Division 1 crown in 2021 and captured the Division 3 title in 2011, but is still seeking its first Open Division championship since the bracket was first introduced in 2015.

The Chancellors – who reached the Division 4 state final last season – will square off against No. 8 Fairfax (11-15), which has won three Open Division titles.

Westchester (19-9), highlighted by Tajh Ariza, earned the No. 2 seed and will match up against No. 7 Birmingham (15-12).

Tajh Ariza of Westchester boys basketball | Photo courtesy of Tajh Ariza

The Comets have also won three Open Division championships, with Birmingham capturing two Open crowns.

Cleveland (22-5), including seniors Kamari King, Roman Finney and Cayden Kelly, achieved the No. 3 seed and plays host to No. 6 George Washington Prep (17-8).

Palisades (18-10) received the No. 4 seed ahead of Western League rival Venice (13-14) as the No. 5 seed, with the programs splitting their head-to-head matchups during the regular season.

Venice produced a 79-49 victory Friday in the regular-season finale after suffering a 67-59 setback Jan. 27 against the Dolphins.

None of the four schools – Cleveland, Palisades, Venice or George Washington Prep – has won an Open Division championship.

Granada Hills (13-13) grabbed the top seed in Division 1 and plays host Thursday to No. 16 Arleta (17-8).

The Highlanders are pursuing their first Division 1 crown since 2019.

University High (9-16) was awarded the No. 1 seed in Division 2 and competes Thursday against No. 16 Banning (10-18).

Math and Science College Prep (18-7) is the top seed in Division 3, facing No. 16 Chavez (0-17) in Thursday’s opener.

Sylmar (8-18) secured the No. 1 seed in Division 4 and begins its postseason in Saturday’s second round against the winner of Thursday’s matchup involving No. 16 Belmont (0-14) and No. 17 Locke (7-11).

Foshay (12-11) collected the top seed in Division 5 and will also open the playoffs Saturday against the winner of Thursday’s showdown between No. 16 Gertz-Ressler (7-13) and No. 17 Orthopaedic (17-5).