Huntington Beach doesn’t drop after a large margin loss since it can still finish with a better resume than any other team if it wins CIFSS Division I title. There are other teams shuffled around in this week’s rankings, including Clayton Valley of Concord being uplifted back into the top eight.
NOTE: Our updated State Top 20 with lists of many other teams on the bubble will be posted each week but will require Gold Club membership to see for the rest of the season. Our breakdowns and analysis of what’s coming up and what’s already happened can’t be matched anywhere else because we’ve been following the statewide scene years and years longer than any other media source. For sign up info, CLICK HERE.
(Through games of Saturday, May 13; Results from Monday, May 8 not included; Previous ranking in parentheses)
1. (1) Huntington Beach 26-4
Despite loss last week to Newport Harbor, the Oilers still had everything locked up as far as the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs are concerned. They start with the top seed and will play later this week vs. Redondo Union of Redondo Beach.
Grant Holman throws a no-hitter for Eastlake Little League in 2013 Little League World Series. He’s now starring as a pitcher for one of the state’s top high school teams. Photo: fansided.com.
The Broncos swept a three-game series against Mt. Carmel of San Diego last week winning 17-1 and twice by 7-2 final scores as they clinched the Palomar League title. Senior Tyler Dean hit two home runs and drove in six runs.
3. (4) Eastlake (Chula Vista) 25-3
This team keeps rolling in San Diego as well and may run into Rancho Bernardo in the CIF San Diego Section playoffs. The Titans already have a 14-0 win this week vs. Hilltop of Chula Vista.
4. (2) Buchanan (Clovis) 26-3
A loss last week to Clovis West causes the Bears to drop another couple of spots in the rankings, but they’re still the No. 1 seed for the CIF Central Section Division I playoffs. The extra loss does make it more difficult for them to return to No. 1 since in addition to a Huntington Beach playoff loss it can’t be either Rancho Bernardo or Eastlake winning it all in San Diego.
5. (6) Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood) 22-4-2
Although the team is ranked high both in our state rankings and by the L.A. Times’ Top 25, the seeding for the playoffs isn’t as high because Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks (21-8 overall) won the Mission League title.
6. (7) Moorpark 24-3
The Musketeers, who also are No. 2 in the state in computer rankings, won their games last week 9-0 and 2-1 against Oak Park. Travis Weston gave up just five hits and struck out six with no walks in the 9-0 win.
7. (5) St. John Bosco (Bellflower) 24-7-1
Despite losing two of three games last week to JSerra, the Braves still got the one win they needed to earn their first-ever Trinity League title and they also were given the No. 1 seed for the CIFSS Division II playoffs. Moorpark was seeded No. 2.
8. (13) Clayton Valley (Concord) 21-1
This team’s schedule is still a little suspect, but the wins are continuing and we know the Ugly Eagles will be in the CIF North Coast Section Division I playoffs with others such as Foothill of Pleasanton and De La Salle of Concord.
