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. 9)
(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 14-0
Lonzo Ball triple-double plus two late free throws helped Huskies survive upset bid on Saturday night from No. 6 Foothills Christian.
T.J. Leaf of Foothills Christian. Photo: USA Basketball.
2. (2) Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) 16-0
Win over short-handed Long Beach Poly wasn’t that impressive, but the one earlier last week vs. Narbonne sure was since Narbonne later went out and upset previous No. 9 Fairfax.
3. (3) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) 11-1
Two more wins for the Trailblazers as sophomore transfer Marvin Bagley awaits eligibility from CIFSS office. Almost as soon as Bagley arrived, junior forward Ira Lee has left and is now at Prolific Prep of Napa (not a member of CIF).
4. (4) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 15-2
Big game for the Monarchs coming up on MLK Monday vs. national No. 1 contender Oak Hill Academy.
5. (6) Foothills Christian (El Cajon) 9-3
T.J. Leaf’s 43-point showing and team losing in such a close game to No. 1 Chino Hills causes ranking to rise.
6. (7) Modesto Christian 13-1
Crusaders looked good vs. L.A. Cathedral in front of SoCal scribes last Saturday, but not quite as good as Foothills Christian. They move up due to previous No. 5 Centennial losing to Westchester.
7. (8) Crespi (Encino) 16-1
Having to into overtime to beat Harvard-Westlake in Mission League game doesn’t prevent one-spot rise for Celts. Similar tests in that league no doubt will still take place.
8. (10) De La Salle (Concord) 11-1
Head coach A.J. Kuhle’s club moves up two spots this week after losses by Corona Centennial and L.A. Fairfax.
9. (11) Redondo Union (Redondo Beach) 12-3
Played one non-league game and came away with a 65-45 win over Gahr of Cerritos at the Westchester Challenge on Saturday.
10. (12) Folsom 14-2
The Bulldogs downed state-ranked St. Francis of Mountain View, 57-53, at last Saturday’s Father Kelly Tribute.
TOP 10 STATE GIRLS
BASKETBALL TEAMS
1. (1) St. Mary’s (Stockton) 15-0
Wow, Rams had to go into overtime to get past Salesian of Richmond last Saturday. They were without three starters for much of the night, however, and are getting hit hard with injuries.
Junior Jayda Adams & senior Ally Rosenblum are two key players for No. 4 Mater Dei. Photo: Mark Tennis.
2. (2) Miramonte (Orinda) 12-0
We’re looking forward to seeing the Matadors take on No. 4 Mater Dei on Saturday in the feature matchup of the weekend at the Stockton St. Mary’s MLK Classic.
3. (3) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 10-3
With Harold Abend in the house last Saturday, the Monarchs posted an easy win over St. Ignatius of S.F. to stay on top of the pecking order for the CIF Central Coast Section.
4. (4) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 16-1
A win over North of Torrance last Saturday capped a busy 4-0 week for the Monarchs.
5. (5) Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 10-3
It was an easy week for the Jackrabbits as they opened Moore League play with two victories.
6. (6) Chaminade (West Hills) 13-2
It took a few big plays down the stretch for the Eagles to survive an upset bid last Saturday from Oaks Christian. They scored final six points of the game for 68-63 triumph.
7. (7) Brea Olinda (Brea) 11-2
Ladycats will be playing Troy of Fullerton next Monday in what should be tough test.
8. (8) Pinewood (Los Altos Hills) 9-2
Panthers have their first game this season vs. Eastside College Prep this week and then go to Stockton next Monday to play Alemany of Mission Hills.
9. (9) Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) 8-3
Wins over Arroyo of San Lorenzo and St. Mary’s (Berkeley) keeps the Dragons firmly in the top 10.
10. (11) Mission Hills (San Marcos) 13-3
Grizzlies cemented status as No. 1 team from San Diego Section with two wins plus previous No. 10 Bishop’s of La Jolla losing last week to Windward.
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
