The team at Etiwanda poses for photo after winning a tournament earlier this season. If the Eagles win the tourney they’re currently playing in, they’ll also be ranked No. 1 in the state and No. 1 in the nation. Photo: Twitter.com.
Previous No. 17 Corona Santiago is the first ranked team to suffer a season-ending loss in a section playoff. The Sharks, though, are in the CIF Southern Section Division I bracket and won’t be the last team to experience those feelings. The top six teams from last week stay the same with traditional powerhouse Pacifica of Garden Grove getting selected as the only newcomer.
Note: There are not going to be separate free and premium posts for new rankings this season in any sport. All new and final rankings will be for Gold Club members only. This also is a great time to sign up for our Gold Club to see all of our great content, including just published 20,000 word feature on the 50 greatest football teams in state history (basketball coming soon). Our yearly rate has gone up, but you can now get it for just $9.99 to check it out for three months. For details, CLICK HERE.
(After games of Saturday, May 21)
(Previous ranking in parentheses)
*Indicates season complete.
(Paul Muyskens contributed writeups to this post)
1. (1) LUTHERAN (ORANGE) 27-3
After mashing Los Altos of Hacienda Heights 11-1 in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs, the Lancers moved on to set up a Tuesday second-round game vs. Cypress. Alison Endsley and Lauren Espalin both hit homers and combined for seven RBI to lead the way. If OLu gets past Chino, up next at the end of the week would be a quarterfinal matchup against either Edison of Huntington Beach or Lakewood. Although the Lancers only received a No. 3 seed in the bracket, their path to the semifinals still seems easier compared to either of the two teams seeded higher.
