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. 20)
(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 28-0
There was no trouble for the Huskies in 100-66 opening-round win over Santa Margarita in CIFSS Open Division playoffs. They play next on Tuesday vs. always-dangerous Ingelwood.
Cody Riley helped Sierra Canyon get out to 20-2 lead in game last week vs. Los Alamitos. Photo: sierracanyonschool.org.
2. (2) Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) 25-1
Juniors Ethan Thompson and Jordan Schakel both hit for 16 points as Knights won CIFSS Open Division playoff game 68-51 vs. Orange Lutheran. They host No. 10 Damien next in quarterfinals.
3. (3) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) 24-3
Poor ol’ Los Alamitos may have been No. 2 in Orange County, but difference between a solid public school team and an elite private school was evident in 85-40 win by Sierra Canyon. The Trailblazers meet No. 7 Redondo next in CIFSS Open Division.
4. (4) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 26-3
Spencer Freedman (17 pts, 5 assists) and M.J. Cage (11 pts, 11 rebs, 5 blocks) still surging as Monarchs beat Cantwell Sacred Heart 58-46 in CIFSS Open Division.
5. (5) Foothills Christian (El Cajon) 21-4
After two more Coastal League blowouts, the Knights earned top seed for CIF San Diego Section Open Division.
6. (6) Modesto Christian 26-1
A few MC fans were bothered team didn’t get No. 1 seed in CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I bracket, but we figured first game head-to-head loss to Folsom would still be in play even though Folsom has had a few questionable losses since then.
7. (7) Redondo (Redondo Beach) 23-4
Reward for 56-54 win vs. Roosevelt of Eastvale in first round of CIFSS Open Division playoffs is a quarterfinal matchup vs. No. 4 Mater Dei.
8. (8) Fairfax (Los Angeles) 28-3
It was almost an upset special in first round of L.A. City Open Division as the Lions gutted out a 38-36 slugfest with Washington Prep. Semifinal vs. Narbonne may be more of the same.
9. (9) Centennial (Corona) 21-6
Jordan Griffin racked up 33 points when Centennial topped Compton 83-64 in CIFSS Open Division playoffs. The team gets Mater Dei next in quarterfinal matchup of No. 4 and No. 5 seeds.
10. (10) Damien (La Verne) 23-2
The Spartans beat Crespi of Encino 65-61 in matchup of last year’s CIF Division III and Division IV state champions in CIFSS Open Division.
TOP 10 STATE GIRLS
BASKETBALL TEAMS
1. (1) St. Mary’s (Stockton) 23-0
The Rams beat Lincoln 84-54 in crosstown matchup to end their regular season. The No. 1 seed in CIF Sac-Joaquin Section D1 playoffs projected to play Oak Ridge of El Dorado Hills in section final.
Hannah Jump is one of the top freshmen in Northern California. Photo: Harold Abend.
2. (2) Miramonte (Orinda) 26-0
Senior guard Keana Delos Santos led all scorers with 23 points as the Matadors beat No. 10 Pinewood 73-57 to end their regular season. They’re now top seed in CIF North Coast Section D3 bracket.
3. (3) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 20-3
There was no drama in the annual West Catholic Athletic League this season as the Monarchs rolled through all opponents. They’re now focusing on the CIF Central Coast Section Open Division.
4. (4) Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 23-3
Top seed Jackrabbits looked the part in the CIF Southern Section Open Division with 61-13 win vs. Fairmont Prep-Anaheim in first playoff game. Troy of Fullerton is next in quarterfinals.
5. (6) Brea Olinda (Brea) 23-2
With previous No. 5 Mater Dei getting upset by Etiwanda, the Ladycats obviously move up after their 64-53 win over Oaks Christian in CIFSS Open Division playoffs.
6. (7) Mission Hills (San Marcos) 25-3
We’re still moving up the Grizzlies despite only getting No. 4 seed in San Diego Section Open Division. Results so far in our system say it should be different.
7. (8) La Jolla Country Day (La Jolla) 22-4
The Torreys wrapped up perfect season in Coastal League play last week and are the top seed in SDS Open Division.
8. (9) Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) 21-5
The Dragons, as expected, are the No. 2 seed behind Miramonte in the NCS Division III playoffs. If they make final, they’ll also be brought up to NorCal Open Division.
9. (11) Chaminade (West Hills) 24-4
Not only do the Eagles move up two spots after crushing Santa Barbara 81-45 in CIFSS Open Division, but they’re not playing Mater Dei next in quarterfinals. Opponent instead will be Etiwanda (18-8), which is the team that upset the Monarchs.
10. (10) Pinewood (Los Altos Hills) 24-4
Due to Mater Dei’s loss and since their own loss last week was to No. 2 Miramonte, the Panthers hold tight at No. 10 in this week’s rankings.
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
