MaxPreps Preseason High School Basketball Top 25: No. 19 Rancho Christian

Top-ranked senior prospect Evan Mobley leads a strong returning core with hopes of a CIF Open Division title.

MaxPreps Preseason Top 25 High School Basketball Rankings 277,547 views 2:18

Video: Preseason Top 25 basketball rankings

Breaking down the national contenders heading into the 2019-20 season.

No. 19 Rancho Christian (Temecula, Calif.)

Head Coach: Ray Barefield

Last Season: No. 39 in final Top 100, 26-6

Key Contributors:

Jaden Byers (6-foot-2, Jr., G)

Jayce Catchings (6-4, Sr., W)

Dominick Harris (6-4, Sr., G) — Committed to Gonzaga

Evan Mobley (7-0, Sr., C) — Committed to USC

Jayden Simpson (6-6, Sr., F)

Bryson Stephens (6-0, Sr., G)

Luke Turner (6-7, Jr., W)

Head coach Ray Barefield

File photo by Scott Padgett

Key Games/Events:

Dec. 6 vs. Rainier Beach (Seattle) — Hoophall West

Dec. 7 vs. Christ the King (Middle Village, N.Y.) — Hoophall West

Dec. 20-23 vs. TBD — Capital City Classic

Dec. 26-30 vs. TBD — Classic at Damien

Jan. 11 vs. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.)

Jan. 18 vs. Camden (N.J.) — Spalding Hoophall Classic

Jan. 20 vs. DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) — Spalding Hoophall Classic

Feb. 1 vs. Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.) — Nike Extravaganza

Center Evan Mobley

File photo by Scott Padgett

Season Preview:

After spending much of the 2018-19 season in the Top 25, the Eagles struggled in postseason play — falling in the first round of the CIF Open Division state playoffs.

Despite the disappointing end to the season, this group builds on a strong foundation after a number of big wins last season highlighted by victories over Top 25 foes Sierra Canyon and Wasatch Academy.

They lose McDonald's All-American Isaiah Mobley to graduation, but a formidable returning rotation will be led by the No. 1 overall prospect in the class of 2020 Evan Mobley.

Five of six leading scorers return from last season as Top-100 recruit Harris, Turner, Stephens and Byers all are set for increased production this year.

Rancho Christian again faces a challenging national slate of games highlighted by showdowns with No. 3 Sierra Canyon, No. 6 DeMatha and No. 17 Gonzaga.

This group has all the pieces to compete for a CIF Open Division state title, but will have to go through higher-ranked preseason teams Sierra Canyon and Mater Dei to capture the coveted title.