MaxPreps Northern California Top 25 high school basketball rankings

In a much-anticipated showdown of Dragons, only one team roared fire. Top-ranked Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) routed short-handed previous No. 7 Sacramento 103-66 in a nonleague meeting in Sacramento.

O'Dowd coach Lou Richie said afterward, "We wanted to make a statement."

Statement made, coach.

Records up to date as of Thursday, Feb. 6


1. (Last week 1) Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) (16-4)
The Dragons rolled Piedmont (84-42), Hayward (77-31) and previous No. 7 Sacramento (103-66) to remain unbeaten against NorCal competition. The losses were to state or national powers, including Mater Dei (Santa Ana). Ivan Rabb scored 24 points with 14 rebounds and six dunks against short-handed Sacramento, and Paris Austin continues to play
well at guard for a team that is superbly coached and prepared.

2. (3) Capital Christian (Sacramento) (19-3)
The Cougars have just one NorCal loss, to top-ranked O'Dowd, and they appear headed to the NorCal Open if it repeats at Sac-Joaquin Section Division V champions. CC is the runaway winner in the Golden Empire League. An early big win was over state power Westchester (Los Angeles) and two wins over Sacramento.

3. (2) Monte Vista (Danville) (20-1)
The Mustangs lost to rival San Ramon Valley (Danville) 59-56 on a late jumper before recovering to beat Foothill (Pleasanton) 53-33 with the trademark defense. Monte Vista has not allowed 60 in a game this season.

4. (4) El Cerrito (23-2)
The Gauchos produced big league wins over St. Patrick-St. Vincent (Vallejo) 70-59 and Salesian (Richmond) 63-46 before a 77-64 loss to new No. 20 Modesto Christian. El Cerrito made just 2 of 12 free throws in the second half against MC.

5. (6) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) (17-3)
The Monarchs were treated to a practice visit by Aaron Gordon, the former Mitty star now excelling at Arizona, and took over first place in the West Catholic Athletic League with wins over St. Francis (Mountain View) and Riordan (San Francisco).

6. (8) Folsom (21-2)
The Bulldogs, ranked second in Sacramento to Capital Christian by The Sacramento Bee, beat previous Bee No. 2 Jesuit (Carmichael) 58-55 in overtime to cap the first half of the Delta River League. Jordan Ford, Jared Wall, Josiah Deguara and Colin Russell lead the way.

7. (5) Jesuit (Carmichael) (21-2)
The Marauders lost to No. 6 Folsom 58-55 in overtime, stalling a bit after guard Isaiah Bailey fouled out in regulation. Guard Nick Hilton had 18 points. The other loss was to No. 11 Newark Memorial in the Martin Luther King Classic.

8. (7) Sacramento (19-5)
The Dragons suffered more than just a blowout loss to top-ranked O'Dowd. It learned of the MRI news of standout sophomore center Solomon Young. He's out for the remainder of the season with an MCL injury. He's the top defensive player in the Sac-Joaquin Section, also averaging 18.8 points. Two other losses were to No. 2 Capital Christian.

9. (9) Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove) (22-1)
The Wolfpack are appealing 16 forfeited losses tied to a transfer from Stockton as the Sac-Joaquin Section deemed it an athletically motivated transfer. CO can still get into the D-II playoffs if it places in the top three of the Sierra Valley Conference, which seems likely. Guard Matt Muldavin is an unsung leader and one of the region's top scholars.

10. (10) St. Mary's (Stockton) (23-1)
The Rams are rolling in the Tri-City Athletic League with a 12-game winning streak. The last loss was to No. 9 Cosumnes Oaks. The teams could meet again in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoffs.

11. (12) Newark Memorial (15-7)
The Cougars have the most misleading record in these rankings, having cruised since starting 2-7 amid a brutal schedule, including handing No. 7 Jesuit it's first loss.

12. (13) St. Joseph Notre Dame (Alameda) (19-5)
The Pilots had a 3-0 week behind the overall play of Temidayo Yussuf with big league games this week against Salesian (Richmond) and St. Patrick/St. Vincent (Vallejo). Salesian beat St. Joseph earlier this week.

13. (11) Serra (San Mateo) (14-6)
The Padres lost to No. 19 Riordan 52-44 in West Catholic Athletic League play and beat St. Francis (Mountain View) as Danny Mahoney went for 35.

14. (12) St. Ignatius (San Francisco) (15-4)
The Wildcats remain in the title hunt in the ever-competitive West Catholic Athletic League with ranked Riordan and Mitty looming this week.

15. (15) De La Salle (Concord) (16-5)
The Spartans had a defensive-minded 3-0 week after beating California (San Ramon) 59-39, Granada (Livermore) 53-36 and Bethel (Vallejo) 68-25. Three losses were by three or fewer points.

16. (14) Rodriguez (Fairfield) (20-1)
The Mustangs are a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I contender along with No. 7 Jesuit, thanks to speed and defense. They are running away from the Monticello Empire League pack. The loss was to No. 13 St. Joseph on Dec. 6.

17. (18) Freedom (Oakley) (17-4)
The Falcons lead the Bay Valley Athletic League standings and own a nine-game winning streak, last losing to No. 25 Campolindo. Defense and balanced scoring are the key.

18. (20) San Ramon Valley (Danville) (18-3)
The Wolves celebrated a 59-56 victory over then No. 2 Monte Vista on a Jerry Karczewski three pointer. Looming is a rematch with De La Salle, which beat San Ramon Valley 36-31 on Jan. 31.

19. (25) Archbishop Riordan (San Francisco) (12-7)
Every victory is a cherished one in the West Catholic Athletic League, including a 52-44 effort over previous No. 11 Serra, before a 61-50 loss to No. 5 Mitty (61-50).

20. (NR) Modesto Christian (15-7)
The Crusaders and veteran coach Gary Porter aren't just steaming through the Trans Valley League; they have a spirited nonleague win over No. 4 El Cerrito. Mason Washington had 24 points and Christian Ellis 18. MC plays No. 1 O'Dowd, the team it eliminated in the 2013 Open playoffs, on Saturday.

21. (22) Moreau Catholic (Hayward) (16-5)
The Mariners have a freshman standout in Damari Milstead, who had 28 points in a 91-54 victory over Kennedy (Fremont).

22. (23) Burlingame (18-3)
The winning streak is now eight for the Panthers, a Central Coast Division III darkhorse and the runaway leader in the Peninsula South standings. Nick Loew and Frankie Ferrari lead the team in scoring.

23. Del Oro (Loomis) (23-1)
The Golden Eagles are rolling in the Sierra Foothill League with a school-record start. Top players include Danny Becker, Keenan Finney and Connor Drake, a scholarship volleyball player to UC Santa Barbara.

24. (16) Campolindo (Moraga) (16-6)
The Cougars had their runaway season in the Diablo Foothill League jarred a bit with a loss to second-place Miramonte (Orinda). Campolindo is 6-1 in league play and owns a nonleague 47-28 win over No. 11 Newark, which has since turned on the jets.

25. (21) Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco) (13-6)
The Fightin' Irish kept pace in the WCAL with a 63-53 win over Bellarmine (San Jose) after falling to No. 14 St. Ignatius 68-60.

The Sacramento Bee on two dramatic buzzer beaters and a significant player injury loss to one of the top talents in the state

The Sacramento Bee on the highs and lows, joys and anxiety of National Signing Day, created 50 years ago to 'ease recruiting excesses"

Joe Davidson has covered high school sports at The Sacramento Bee since 1988. Follow him on Twitter @SacBee_JoeD and on www.sacbee.com.