MaxPreps final Southern California Top 25 high school basketball rankings

We're calling it: Mater Dei is the best team in Southern California this year.

It's definitely not a shock that the Monarchs would be chosen, given that they are the nation's top team in the Xcellent 25 and the MaxPreps Computer Rankings. They're still undefeated, and even if they lose Saturday in Sacramento, we're still giving them a well-deserved nod as No. 1.

It's a program steeped in tradition, and this year's team is standing out as one of the best to ever play for legendary coach Gary McKnight. To make it to the Open Division state title game without a loss is a remarkable achievement.

You can click this link for all the state's playoff brackets, including CIF State editions. Be sure to visit the California rankings page, and the metro pages for the Fresno area, Los Angeles area and San Diego area.




1. (1 last week) Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 34-0
Classification: Southern (1AA), State Open Division
Ranks: 1 state, 1 national, 1 Xcellent 25

The Monarchs had another challenge last Saturday at Citizen's Business Bank Arena in Ontario, as they jumped out to a 26-8 lead over Westchester, then had to fight from six points down in the fourth quarter before emerging with a 59-54 win over the Comets (see story and photos). La'vette Parker was hot in the second quarter from long range and Stanley Johnson (who scored 19 and pulled in nine rebounds) was clutch at the free throw line down the stretch. The Monarchs face Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) Saturday night (8 p.m.) at Sleep Train Arena, a team they beat 63-59 in overtime earlier this year.

2. (4) Centennial (Corona), 29-3
Classification: Southern (1AA, Open), State Division I
Ranks: 3 state, 12 national

The Huskies are the SoCal Division I champions after they gutted out an 80-73 victory in overtime against Chino Hills. Deontae North scored seven of his 27 points in overtime, according to the LA Times, and Sedrick Barefield also had 21. Now Centennial will head north to face off against Monte Vista (Danville), which brings in a 31-1 record. Tip-off is Friday at 8 p.m.

3. (2) Chino Hills, 29-6
Classification: Southern (1AA, Open), State Division I
Ranks: 4 state, 17 national

They came close, but it wasn't meant to be for the Huskies. They lost 80-73 to Centennial in the regional final, getting a clutch 3-pointer from Lonzo Ball in the final minute to forge the tie. Ball finished with 17 points. Chino Hills stays ahead of Etiwanda by virtue of a split this season that saw Chino Hills win in the postseason.



4. (3) Etiwanda, 27-5
Classification: Southern (1AA, Open), State Open Division
Ranks: 8 state, 31 national

Season over.

5. (5) Westchester (Los Angeles), 30-7
Classification: Los Angeles City (I), State Open Division
Ranks: 10 state, 39 national

The Comets had a fourth-quarter lead against Mater Dei in the Open Division final for the SoCal Region, but the Monarchs fought back to win 59-54. Elijah Stewart was an assassin with his jump shot during Westchester's rally and finished with 19 points.

6. (6) Redondo Union (Redondo Beach), 25-6
Classification: Southern (2AA, Open), State Open Division
Ranks: 11 state, 41 national

Season over.



7. (7) JW North (Riverside), 25-4 (26-2 on court)
Classification: Southern (1A, Open), State Open Division
Ranks: 14 state, 69 national

Season over.

8. (10) Bishop Montgomery (Torrance, Calif.), 27-6
Classification: Southern (4AA, Open), State Division IV
Ranks: 9 state, 34 national

The Knights are Sacramento-bound after they beat Cantwell-Sacred Heart by a 66-56 score. They got a lead early and never relinquished. According to the LA Times, the Knights got 26 points from Stephen Thompson Jr and 17 from Justin Bibbins. They will battle Moreau Catholic (Hayward) Saturday at noon in the D-IV title game.

9. (8) Loyola (Los Angeles), 27-4
Classification: Southern (1AA, Open), State Division I
Ranks: 5 state, 20 national

Season over.



10. (9) Mayfair (Lakewood), 25-7
Classification: Southern (1AA, Open), State Division I
Ranks: 23 state, 136 national

Season over.

11. (14) St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 22-11
Classification: Southern (2AA, Open), State Division II
Ranks: 7 state, 30 national

The Braves are the best 11-loss team in the state, without a doubt. They showed their playoff prowess by blasting Compton 72-55 in the regional final in Ontario. According to the LA Times, Daniel Hamilton was an all-around leader with 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Tyler Dorsey scored 20 and Vance Jackson added 18. Up next is a Saturday (4 p.m.) date against Folsom, which is located close to Sacramento, so expect it to be a road game atmosphere.

12. (11) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth), 29-4
Classification: Southern (4A, Open), State Division IV
Ranks: 16 state, 83 national

Season over.



13. (15) Chaminade (West Hills), 26-6
Classification: Southern (3A, Open), State Division III
Ranks: 13 state, 64 national

The Eagles are going to Sacramento after they took out Santa Margarita with a last-second buzzer-beater from Michael Oguine from about 25 feet. See the shot here. It forged a 53-52 victory for the Eagles, who face Drake (San Anselmo) Friday at 4 p.m. Oguine finished with 32 points, and nobody else was in double figures for Chaminade.

14. (12) El Camino Real (Woodland Hills), 25-7
Classification: Los Angeles City (I), State Open Division
Ranks: 20 state, 106 national

Season over.

15. (13) St. Augustine (San Diego), 28-4
Classification: San Diego (Open), State Open Division
Ranks: 26 state, 194 national

Season over.



16. (16) Compton, 25-8
Classification: Southern (2A, Open), State Division II
Ranks: 22 state, 134 national

The Tarbabes ran into a St. John Bosco team that is likely playing its best basketball of the season, and they fell 72-55 in the regional final. Isaiah Bailey finished with 20 points and Iziahiah Sweeney added 17 for Compton.

17. (17) Cantwell-Sacred Heart (Montebello), 23-9
Classification: Southern (4A, Open), State Division IV
Ranks: 25 state, 187 national

The Cardinals' postseason ended with a 66-56 loss to Bishop Montgomery in the regional final. They forged a tie early in the second half but that was as close as they could get, according to the Whittier Daily News. Gligorije Rakocevic scored 17 points and Balsa Dragovic and Joey Covarrubias each had 14.

18. (18) Long Beach Poly, 26-8
Classification: Southern (1AA), State Division I
Ranks: 19 state, 104 national

Season over.



19. (19) Mater Dei Catholic (Chula Vista), 30-3
Classification: San Diego (II), State Division II
Ranks: 37 state, 282 national

Season over.

20. (20) Serra (Gardena), 22-10
Classification: Southern (4AA, Open), State Division IV
Ranks: 38 state, 284 national

Season over.

21. (21) Canyon (Anaheim), 30-5
Classification: Southern (2AA), State Division II
Ranks: 18 state, 99 national

Season over.



22. (22) Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 26-9
Classification: Southern (3A), State Division III
Ranks: 36 state, 276 national

The Eagles were seconds away from reaching a state title game, but Chaminade broke their hearts with the aforementioned buzzer-beater in a 53-52 loss. According to the LA Times, Devonte Klines scored 15 points and three players each scored nine.

23. (23) Cathedral (Los Angeles), 24-6
Classification: Southern (3A, Open), State Division III
Ranks: 48 state, 431 national

Season over.

24. (24) Calabasas, 28-6
Classification: Southern (2A), State Division II
Ranks: 24 state, 174 national

Season over.



25. (25) La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad), 28-5
Classification: San Diego (Open), State Open Division
Ranks: 27 state, 229 national

Season over.