Woodcreek can still steal the final No. 1 ranking at the end, but for now still has to be fourth heading into CIF Open Division state title game behind No. 3 Chino Hills. SoCal D1 champ Roosevelt of Eastvale also moves up into the eighth spot.
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(Through games of Saturday, March 18; Previous ranking in parentheses)
1. (1) Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) 30-2
After getting past Mater Dei for the second time in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup (this time for the CIF Southern California Open Division title), the Knights now have to travel to Northern California to take on No. 4 Woodcreek for the Open Division state title. Yes, they are favored but their trip north to open the season did not go well in loss to Bishop O’Dowd even though they were not at full strength.
Jordan Brown scores two of his 31 points during Woodcreek’s win over Sheldon in NorCal Open Division championship. Photo: Willie Eashman.
2. (2) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 33-3
Despite the 60-53 margin in the loss to Bishop Montgomery, it was a closer matchup than when the Monarchs lost to the Knights in the CIF Southern Section finals. And if they hadn’t gotten called for two offensive fouls in the last 30 seconds, it might even have turned out differently.
3. (3) Chino Hills 30-3
It’s obvious to rank the Huskies third because their two in-state losses were to Mater Dei and Bishop Montgomery, they beat Mater Dei once and they have a head-to-head win over NorCal Open Division champ Woodcreek.
4. (5) Woodcreek (Roseville) 32-2
Many analysts felt the Timberwolves were going to lose in their rematch with No. 7 Sheldon in the NorCal Open Division final. They were down by 13 in the third quarter, but roared back for a 66-59 win to prove without doubt they were the superior squad all along.
5. (6) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) 27-3
Although the Trailblazers have a loss to St. Augustine in the SoCal Open playoffs, their other quality wins cause them to be higher in the rankings. Two of the teams Sierra Canyon defeated — La Lumiere of Indiana and Memphis East of Tennessee — are among the top five-ranked teams in the nation.
6. (4) St. Augustine (San Diego) 28-5
Saints’ losses to Fairfax and Heritage Christian can’t be completely ignored, and their final ranking next week will depend on the outcome of the CIF Open and D1 state title games.
7. (7) Sheldon (Sacramento) 30-4
The Huskies fell one spot after losing to No. 4 Woodcreek in the Sac-Joaquin Section D1 final but remain at No. 7 after losing to the Timberwolves in the NorCal Regional final.
8. (12) Roosevelt (Eastvale) 25-8
SoCal D1 top seed Damien of La Verne was in the eighth spot last week, but now the SoCal D1 champions have been moved up into it. Matt Mitchell had 35 points when Mustangs beat Centennial of COrona 68-65 to win program’s first SoCal regional title.
