Here’s a quick look at the top 10 teams that will be highlighted in this week’s new Cal-Hi Sports State Top 20 rankings for boys and girls basketball.
Note: For more complete breakdowns on each top 10 team and for the next 10 teams plus more teams on the bubble, all of that info is for our Gold Club members only. We do have a three-month subscription going right now, however, that is just $9.99 and in addition to all of our rankings that also will include state record updates plus additional, exclusive Gold Club content. For details, CLICK HERE.
(After games of Saturday, Feb. 13)
(Previous ranking in parentheses)
(Ronnie Flores is our lead analyst for the boys; Harold Abend for the girls)
TOP 10 STATE BOYS
BASKETBALL TEAMS
1. (1) Chino Hills 27-0
The team’s first CIFSS Open Division playoff game will be against Santa Margarita in a No. 1 seed vs. No. 16 matchup. It’s not too early (for us anyway) to start thinking about what a 35-0 final season record would mean with a consensus national rankings title as well.
2. (2) Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) 24-1
David Singleton had 19 points as the Knights (No. 2 in CIFSS Open Division) ended regular season with closer-than-expected 60-52 win vs. Cantwell Sacred Heart.
Fairfax head coach Harvey Kitani and team have had a strong close to their regular season. Photo: Scott Kurtz.
3. (3) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) 23-3
It was another easy choice as the Trailblazers with the No. 3 seed for the CIFSS Open Division. They open the postseason vs. Los Alamitos.
4. (4) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 25-3
Although the Monarchs are a No. 4 seed for the CIFSS Open Division, their first-round matchup vs. No. 13 Cantwell Sacred Heart may be the easiest since Cantwell’s selection and seed for the bracket was by far the most puzzling.
5. (5) Foothills Christian (El Cajon) 19-4
There’s two more games left on the regular season schedule for the Knights, who should be top seed in the CIF San Diego Section Open Division.
6. (6) Modesto Christian 25-1
Now that Folsom has another loss, that first game head-to-head win by the Bulldogs over the Crusaders is diminished some more, but will it make a difference in top seed for CIF Sac-Joaquin Section D1 playoffs?
7. (7) Redondo (Redondo Beach) 22-4
After going back and forth last week whether to put Redondo in front of Folsom, it was easy this week since Folsom dropped a home game to Woodcreek of Roseville.
8. (12) Fairfax (Los Angeles) 27-3
Although the Lions beat previous No. 9 Westchester last week and have the best overall resume of any team in the L.A. City Section, goofy section pairings have them only at No. 3 in the L.A. City Open Division.
9. (13) Centennial (Corona) 21-6
Yes, it’s true that Huskies are seeded one spot higher than Redondo in CIFSS Open Division. We’re not going to move them up that high, but they do deserve to come up.
10. (10) Damien (La Verne) 23-2
A second loss to Chino Hills doesn’t drop the Spartans in the rankings. That’s also because previous No. 8 Folsom and No. 9 Westchester both lost (and not to Chino Hills).
TOP 10 STATE GIRLS
BASKETBALL TEAMS
1. (1) St. Mary’s (Stockton) 22-0
State and nation’s No. 1 team rolled over Christian Brothers of Sacramento in second-to-last regular season 94-29. Mi’Cole Cayton and Aquira DeCosta both had 18 points.
2. (2) Miramonte (Orinda) 24-0
There is no Open Division in the CIF North Coast Section so Mats will be No. 1 seed in Division III. It is the same division as No. 9 Bishop O’Dowd, however.
Reili Richardson and team at Brea Olinda won’t get back to CIF D3 state final, but may get to state finals in higher division. Photo: Willie Eashman.
3. (3) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 17-3
After just one game last week, the Monarchs have three this week, then will almost surely be the No. 1 seed for the CIF Central Coast Section Open Division.
4. (4) Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 22-3
There was no surprise in the CIFSS Open Division playoff pairings as the Jackrabbits were tabbed as the top seed.
5. (5) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 23-3
It doesn’t matter to us that Brea Olinda was the No. 2 seed and MD No. 3 for the CIFSS Open Division. The tough part for the Monarchs, however, is that Chaminade was only No. 7 so the two may meet in the second round.
6. (6) Brea Olinda (Brea) 23-2
Although we don’t agree with Brea being higher ranked than Mater Dei, it won’t be a surprise at all if the Ladycats go all the way in the CIFSS Open Division, either.
7. (7) Mission Hills (San Marcos) 22-3
This team is messed up in section power rankings maybe more than any other team. San Diego’s power rankings for all sports, it should be noted, have been the worst in the state since they started being used for seedings/playoff placement.
8. (8) La Jolla Country Day (La Jolla) 20-4
The Torreys knocked off state-ranked, arch-rival Bishop’s last week in their only game 79-61. If they play like that, they’re definitely a threat for SoCal Open Division.
9. (9) Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) 19-5
The Dragons remain right behind the Country Day squad they lost to at the MLK Showcase in Stockton.
10. (10) Pinewood (Los Altos Hills) 19-3
Coach Doc Scheppler’s girls began strong week with 63-38 win over league rival Eastside Prep of East Palo Alto, which in many years gives them trouble.
Mark Tennis is the co-founder and publisher of CalHiSports.com. He can be reached at markjtennis@gmail.com. Don’t forget to follow Mark on the Cal-Hi Sports Twitter handle: @CalHiSports
