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 special 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, Jan. 2)
(Preseason ranking in parentheses)
(Ronnie Flores is our lead analyst for the boys; Harold Abend for the girls)
(Look for this week’s State Top 20 for boys on Tuesday and for the girls on Wednesday)
TOP 10 STATE BOYS
BASKETBALL TEAMS
1. (1) Chino Hills 13-0
Huskies started No. 1 in state and No. 11 in FAB 50 national rankings. Now No. 1 in both.
M.J. Cage dunks for Mater Dei during sophomore season. Photo: Martin Henderson/OCSidelines.com.
2. (3) Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) 14-0
Impressive win over Corona Centennial last Saturday night cements status as one of state’s elite squads.
3. (2) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) 9-1
Loss to Moreau Catholic in first game is reason that Trailblazers are behind Bishop Montgomery.
4. (3) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 13-2
Both losses were to out-of-state opponents at Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
5. (5) Centennial (Corona) 10-4
Avenged loss to Foothills Christian and we’re giving the Huskies benefit of doubt since their losses last week were without UCLA-bound big man Ike Anigbodu.
6. (6) Foothills Christian (El Cajon) 8-2
Coach Brad Leaf’s team will get a rematch with No. 1 Chino Hills on Saturday at Sierra Canyon Super Showcase.
7. (7) Modesto Christian 10-1
Impressive win over Long Beach Poly earned Crusaders a title in own tournament.
8. (8) Crespi (Encino) 14-1
Similar to Modesto Christian in that team lost its first game. For Celts, they started this week on 14-game win streak.
9. (16) Fairfax (Los Angeles) 12-1
Before going too crazy about the Lions, want to see what happens when they play Westchester in first league game.
10. (9) De La Salle (Concord) 9-1
Only loss to Bishop Gorman and has win over Prestonwood Christian of Texas, which is a team that beat Redondo of Redondo Beach.
TOP 10 STATE GIRLS
BASKETBALL TEAMS
1. (1) St. Mary’s (Stockton) 13-0
Rams have won three tournaments, including two major national invitationals.
Mitty head coach Sue Phillips. Photo: Willie Eashman.
2. (3) Miramonte (Orinda) 10-0
Schedule hasn’t been as tough as some, but State Junior of the Year Sabrina Ionescu averaging 25 ppg.
3. (6) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 8-3
Two losses to out-of-state teams and one to Stockton St. Mary’s plus win over Good Counsel (Md.), which has wins over Mater Dei and Long Beach Poly.
4. (5) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 14-1
Monarchs went 3-1 in top division at the Nike TOC.
5. (4) Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 8-3
With Ayanna Clark at full strength, Jackrabbits going to be tough to beat.
6. (2) Chaminade (West Hills) 12-2
A 30-point win last week over Alemany was huge, but still have to be behind LB Poly due to head-to-head loss.
7. (7) Brea Olinda (Brea) 10-2
Arizona State-bound Reili Richardson was flu-ridden when Ladycats lost twice at Nike TOC.
8. (16) Pinewood (Los Altos Hills) 7-2
Keys wins over Bishop O’Dowd, Vista Murrieta and Salesian of Richmond.
9. (10) Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) 6-3
Didn’t have to play national power Lynnwood (Wash.) at Jamboree but still made Platinum finals and have wins over Oaks Christian and Sacred Heart Cathedral.
10. (34) Bishop’s (La Jolla) 15-1
Destiny Littleton and mates have split with Mission Hills and have wins vs. Sierra Canyon and Bishop Gorman (Nev.) team that has wins vs. Sierra Canyon and Gardena Serra.
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
