Boys hoops for the second half

 The pop quizzes are over. The mid-terms have been taken.
 Surprises?
 Very few.
 The same cast of characters are chasing boys basketball titles again as the second half of the season unfolds.
 Preseason favorites Alisal and Palma are both undefeated in their respective leagues for the second straight year while Pacific Grove has its eyes on a fourth straight league.
 For the State Division IV runner-up Chieftains, it's been too easy, as the average margin of victory in the Gabilan Division in the first half was 35 points.
 The Trojans appeared ticketed for the Gabilan Division next year as they have rattled off 18 straight Pacific Division wins the last two years.
 It hasn't been as easy for defending CCS Division IV champion Pacific Grove, who was locked in a tie with Stevenson in the Mission Trail Athletic League before the Pirates stumbled at King City.
 Despite the absence of Parker Olin to an elbow injury, the Pirates made a move before the first half by beating Pacific Grove.
 A rematch will likely decide the league title, although Carmel sits just a game back, having beaten Stevenson earlier this year.
 If Palma and Monterey continue their path of success, both teams could be ticketed for the Central Coast Section Open Division playoffs.
 If you're the Toreadores (17-2), that is a good thing. An invitation to the Open insures a spot in the State Northern California Division III tournament for the Toreadores.
 Monterey opened the season with a school record 17-0 start before being humbled by Palma to close the first half, and falling by a point to Salinas.
 Hey, Palma lost two in a row earlier this year - also to a team it had beaten earlier in the season - and has rebounded behind Jamaree Bouyea with eight straight wins.
 If you're looking for a sleeper team in the second half, Pajaro Valley sits just a game behind Alisal with one loss. Its 14 overall wins this year is the second most in school history.
 Salinas isn't going to win a league title. But it's shown a lot of improvement and has already avenged one Gabilan Division loss after beating Monterey.
 Oakwood and Trinity have been the class of the Coastal Athletic League. Both teams could or at least should land in the MTAL next year.