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, March 5)
(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 31-0
Another triple-double for Lonzo Ball and 31 more points for LiAngelo Ball keyed 103-84 win over Sierra Canyon in CIFSS Open Division final. We hope the Huskies take it easy on Immanuel. It’s not Immanuel’s fault it was placed into that matchup.
2. (2) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) 26-4
There’s no change for the Trailblazers after loss to state and nation’s No. 1 team. They also are No. 2 seed in SoCal Open Division.
De’Anthony Melton of Encino Crespi hoists a smooth-looking jumper during last year’s CIF D4 state final. Photo: James Escarcega.
3. (3) Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) 26-2
The Knights didn’t play last week after losing to Sierra Canyon in CIFSS Open Division semifinals.
4. (4) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 27-4
The Monarchs also didn’t play last week and stay at No. 4 due to their head-to-head win over Foothills Christian. That also was the seeding for the CIF SoCal Open Division.
5. (5) Foothills Christian (El Cajon) 24-4
Wins over Torrey Pines and Cathedral Catholic gave the Knights their first CIF San Diego Section Open Division title. They won last year in Division II.
6. (6) Modesto Christian 30-1
We’re glad to have seen the MC boys prove our rankings correct with their win over Folsom in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section D1 final.
7. (8) De La Salle (Concord) 28-2
Each time DLS plays Monte Vista it’s been a more impressive win. In the NCS D1 final, the Spartans dominated the Mustangs 47-29.
8. (9) Westchester (Los Angeles) 26-6
The Comets won their 13th section title but first in the L.A. City Open Division with their 61-52 triumph over Narbonne last Saturday night.
9. (10) Sacramento 29-1
There were some scary moments in the Dragons’ 72-68 win over Antelope in the SJS D2 final. A loss in that game would have screwed up NorCal seedings even more.
10. (NR) Crespi (Encino) 28-4
Knocking off previous No. 7 Redondo Union 89-71 in the CIFSS Open Division consolation bracket causes the Celts to rocket back up into the rankings.
TOP 10 STATE GIRLS
BASKETBALL TEAMS
1. (1) St. Mary’s (Stockton) 27-0
The Rams won their ninth straight section title on Saturday night and are the top seed in the CIF NorCal Open Division.
2. (2) Miramonte (Orinda) 29-0
This team’s goal of facing St. Mary’s for the second straight year in the CIF NorCal Open Division final probably will require a semifinal win in what is shaping up as a huge game vs. Archbishop Mitty.
3. (3) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 23-3
Head coach Sue Phillips lobbied for a No. 2 seed (ahead of Miramonte) in the NorCal Open Division due to strength of schedule. The program has now won 25 section titles, more than any boys or girls team in the state.
Kayla Rooks led Mission Hills to CIF San Diego Open Division title. Photo: Harold Abend.
4. (5) Chaminade (West Hills) 27-4
Win over Long Beach Poly in CIFSS Open Division final showed how good the Eagles can look when all players are hitting their shots.
5. (4) Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 25-4
Loss to Chaminade was the first for Poly at full strength. We’re only dropping the Jackrabbits one spot in the rankings despite questionable seeding by CIF.
6. (6) Mission Hills (San Marcos) 28-3
A big thanks to the Grizzlies for proving that our rankings are superior to the San Diego Section’s when it seeds its teams. We wouldn’t say that if it was a No. 2 beating a No. 1, but Mission Hills’ seed in the SD Open Division at No. 3 was very questionable.
7. (7) La Jolla Country Day (La Jolla) 24-5
We’re not dropping Country Day after its four-point loss to Mission Hills in the San Diego Open Division final. Still too many quality wins compared to Clovis West.
8. (11) Clovis West (Fresno) 29-3
No, we don’t agree with the Golden Eagles going to the SoCal Open Division as a No. 2 seed, but we say that knowing there’s been many years in which head coach Craig Campbell’s program has been forced to be in the Open Division when it should have been in D1.
9. (8) Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) 24-6
We’re dropping the Dragons one spot after their loss to Miramonte in the NCS D3 final. We would have dropped them behind Pinewood as well to match NorCal seedings, but that loss to Pinewood was in overtime and O’Dowd has had better results since then.
10. (9) Pinewood (Los Altos Hills) 22-5
Loss last week was to Mitty in CCS Open Division championship. The Panthers will now play O’Dowd at home in a 4-5 matchup in the NorCal Open Division.
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
