Three of the league's squads are in the section's Top 10, including No. 1 La Jolla Country Day. That doesn't leave much room for a program like Canyon Crest Academy, the only public school in the five-team league.

It can have its perks, too.

The Ravens finished fourth in the Coastal South, but they don't have to worry about any of those teams any longer because they're in the Division IV playoffs. Canyon Crest is in Division III, where the Ravens advanced last night with a 56-41 quarterfinal victory over host Our Lady of Peace Academy.

gTeams like OLP don't have as much height as the teams in the Coastal League, which allows us to pound it inside,h said Megan Brandt, whose 21 points led all scorers.

Canyon Crest (16-11) outrebounded the Pilots (23-7) by a 44-24 margin as 5-10 sophomore Nicole Leonard pulled down 13 and the athletic 5-9 Brandt grabbed 11.

Not only did that lead to a 56-46 shot advantage for Canyon Crest, it forced OLP to foul in the fourth quarter – a huge mistake.

The sharp-shooting Ravens nailed 14-of-19 in the final eight minutes to pull away after trailing the entire first half and entering the fourth quarter with just a four-point lead.

gPlaying in the Coastal League prepared us for the playoffs,h Brandt said. gIt wasn't a surprise (beating OLP) because we were able to get inside.h

Pilots coach Norman Guay said his team normally blocks out well under the boards, but the Ravens were more aggressive.

gThey played very good defense,h Guay said. gThey are clearly one of the top four teams in Division III.h

Canyon Crest, which has won two straight on the road, travels to neighborhood rival Cathedral Catholic on Wednesday for a semifinal game against the Western League champion.