Went back and looked at Menlo, which will finish 2nd in the WBAL, 13-7 overall. Two of those losses were to PW, and easily forgiven. Four, including close losses to three publics, were without their senior center and best player, Sharon Nejad (who averages a double double and leads the team in every statistical category). I have no idea how the committee treats such things, particularly now when every team has had to overcome covid-adversity. Still, I think a healthy Menlo team beats a healthy Palo Alto. Haven't seen Hillsdale or Evergreen.
To be clear, not pulling for Menlo to be in Open, as they'll get smoked by a WCAL. But so will the publics.