It would be one thing if Division I boys hoops No. 1 seed Corona del Sol had torn through its schedule this season with ease. Left no doubt every single night it can't be beat. That hasn't happened and Corona coach Sammy Duane Jr. has to be thankful for that.

On a handful of occasions, the Aztecs have rallied in games they fell back by 10 points or more. They did that early against Gilbert. Did it again as late as last week vs. Central. They've been pushed by Desert Vista and Perry. But like two of the three title teams before it, they have a knack of winning regardless the plight.

The Aztecs are the odds-on favorite to win a fourth straight time. They've seen vulnerability up close and responded.  Will they need to do that again this postseason? We shall see. Here's a look at the top 10 seeds as the D-I tournament gets underway today (Thursday Feb. 19):

#1 Corona del Sol (28-1):  Corona has a big three no team in the state can match-- Alex Barcello, Marvin Bagley III, Dane Kuiper. Add Cassius Peat, Tyrell Henderson and Isaiah Bolden for a spark when it's needed and you have the ingredients for a fourth title. Corona enters the tournament not having lost to an Arizona opponent in more than two years (65 in a row). The Aztecs can't wait to get going after a full week of practice and face the Desert Ridge-Apollo winner on Saturday Feb. 21 at home.

#2 Mesa High (25-4): Mesa is playing well at present, winning its last eight games in a row. That included a win in its supersectional final. That's a good sign. The Jackrabbits have handled Mesa Mountain View with ease twice, but three of its losses are to Pinnacle, Gilbert and Chaparral. All three were tight games. Mesa, led by Darius Goudeau, faces a tough road if its to reach the final. Desert Vista, Gilbert, Pinnacle, Mtn View are possibilities. Prior to that the Jackrabbits first state foe will be the Dobson-Boulder Creek winner. 

#3 Mesa Mountain View (22-7): It''s been a stronger year than expected for Mountain View, at least according to preseason accounts. The Toros were hardly mentioned as a top-10 game yet have held their own against just about every opponent save Chaparral and Mesa. They have excelled without possessing a marquee player. At this point they can't be counted out frrom reaching the semis or final. Their road is tough with the likes of Gilbert, Desert Vista and Mesa in their bracket. Their first opponent will be either Basha or Highland on Saturday.

#4 St. Mary's (17-10): St. Mary's made hay in supersectionals by advancing to the final in a loss to Corona. A bye and second-round home game are the Knights' reward. They will face either Red Mountain or Horizon in their tourney opener on Saturday. Sophomore guard Marcus Shaver has enjoyed a sensational season. The Knights, now healthy, may have their hands full with experienced teams -- namely Chaparral and Corona -- should they reach the quarters and beyond.

#5 Chaparral (24-5):  It might be that Chaparral is the likely opponent to face Corona del Sol in the semifinals. If so it would be the first meeting of the teams this season. The Firebirds have a playoff-experienced lineup and have been as consistent as any team. They've faced many of the top teams in D-I throughout the season. Chaparral has beaten Mesa, Mountain View, Gilbert, Perry and Pinnacle with a loss to Desert Vista. They've also beaten Westview and Brophy, one of whom they'll face in their second-round game on Saturday at Chaparral. Kenzo Nudo, Brandon Hoffer, Ryan Bayster and Colton Kresl are scoring and averaging in double figures.

#6 Gilbert (20-7): The Tigers enjoyed a great January and February going 12-2 in their last 14 games. Included in that run are wins over Mesa and Central on the road and at home vs. Desert Vista. Perry dealt them their only power-ranking loss after the the calender turned to 2015. They also lost by two in the opening round of supersectionals to St. Mary's. Gilbert has as tough a road to reach the finals as anyone. Gilbert faces either Pinnacle or Chandler on Saturday in its first tourney game. After that Mountain View, Desert Vista, Perry and Mesa could loom. No room or time for an off-game for the Tigers. Bowling, Nick Agostino and Jacob Nicolds lead the offense. Trumann Moore is tough in the paint and on the boards.

#7 Desert Vista (23-4): The first month of the season was spectacular for Desert Vista. The past month plus hasn't been as good. Desert Vista reeled off 12 wins to begin the season. The Thunder have just four losses, but the three vs. Arizona schools are to teams in the top eight -- Gilbert, Central and Corona del Sol. Desert Vista did not play the other four top-eight seeds -- Mountain View, Mesa, Chaparral and St. Mary's. Desert Vista has plenty of weapons led by Brandon Clarke, Tarik Cool and Caleb Simmons.

#8 Central (24-5): Central opened some eyes last week, nearly giving Corona del Sol what for in the supersectional semifinals. The Bobcats are quick and some teams won't want to play a fast style against them. They face the North-Cesar Chavez winner in their second round game on Saturday. Chavez has beaten Central twice this season so who knows if it will be a mental block for the Bobcats should Chavez advance. If Central has indeed hit its stride at this juncture, it will be a handful. They are led by Obi Megwa, Famoun Miller and Donavin Rusk. Central was eliminated in the first round last year. 

#9 Cesar Chavez (25-3): Like Chaparral, Chavez exhibited consistent play throughout the year. A loss in supersectionals interrupted that, but it doesn't mean the Champions are goners. Thomas Smith, Tarion May and Rashaad Goolsby are reasons why Chavez can be dangerous this postseason. Chavez hasn't faced many state tournament qualfiiers other than Central and North. That includes seven of the other eight top-seeds teams -- Corona, Chaparral, St. Mary's Mountain View, Gilbert, Desert Vista and Mesa. If the Champions get past North in the first round, Central is up for a third time.

#10 Perry (21-6): Sophomore guard Markus Howard and company have their work cut out for them. Perry figures to take care of Desert Mountan in the opening round Thursday, but a hellish stretch of Desert Vista, Mesa and Gilbert or Mountain View follows that should the Pumas stay afloat. Howard needs support from teammates in the scoring department so that 30-and 40-point efforts aren't a necessary every night.