MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 high school basketball rankings

And now we're seeing some fun.

The rankings this week feature lots of teams switching places, and two new teams. Well one of them is new (Calabasas) but the other was previously ranked (Canyon). Don't expect much in the way of new teams next week, though the section final matchups throughout the region will have a big effect on the rankings.

You can click this link for all the state's playoff brackets. 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), 30-0
Classification: Southern (1AA) - OPEN DIVISION
Ranks: 1 state, 2 national, 1 Xcellent 25

The Monarchs got a scare in the first round of the Open Division playoffs, and subsequently ran off two big wins. They went on the road to beat Mayfair on Saturday, 77-59, and then reached the final by downing JW North Tuesday by a 62-49 score. Their 27-16 halftime lead against JW North evaporated but they turned in a blitz of their own in the fourth quarter to forge the winning margin. In the Mayfair win, Stanley Johnson erupted for 42 points. They will face Chino Hills for the Open Division title this weekend.

2. (5) JW North (Riverside), 25-3 (26-1 on court)
Classification: Southern (1A) - OPEN DIVISION
Ranks: 5 state, 33 national

The Huskies didn't have the marquee games on their schedule entering the postseason. Once they got them in the Open Division, they took advantage. The most important thing is they finally lost, dropping a 62-49 decision to Mater Dei in a game they fought back to get into. So they'll wait for the state playoffs. They got there by edging Centennial 78-76, as the Riverside Press-Enterprise reported that Malik Martin hit a turnaround 3-pointer to steal the lead in the final minute.

3. (9) Chino Hills, 24-4
Classification: Southern (1AA) - OPEN DIVISION
Ranks: 3 state, 13 national

The Huskies were a big candidate for the No. 2 spot, but will stay here until after the Open Division final. Chino Hills beat previous No. 2 Etiwanda by a 59-48 count in the quarterfinals and then took out Redondo Union 70-61 to reach the Saturday final against Mater Dei. A 12-0 run took a three-point lead to begin the fourth and put the game out of reach, according to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. KC Cyprian led the way with 23 points.

4. (6) Redondo Union (Redondo Beach), 24-5
Classification: Southern (2AA) - OPEN DIVISION
Ranks: 4 state, 30 national

The Sea Hawks eliminated Loyola 65-54 in the second round of the Open Division bracket before losing to Chino Hills, 70-61. Elijah Nesbit was chosen as the team's Player of the Game after scoring 11 points to go with four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

5. (7) Westchester (Los Angeles), 28-5
Classification: Los Angeles City (I)
Ranks: 10 state, 60 national

Of course the Comets are in the City Section title game. That's just what they do. The top seed beat Palisades 76-48, then had to work for it a bit in a 62-58 triumph over a Narbonne team that has proven to be tough to shake. Saturday's title game against El Camino should be a great one.

6. (2) Etiwanda, 26-4
Classification: Southern (1AA) - OPEN DIVISION
Ranks: 7 state, 45 national

The Eagles saw their Open Division foray come to an end in the second round, as they faltered in the fourth quarter against Chino Hills. It was a tie game entering the final period, but Chino Hills won 59-48.

7. (3) Loyola (Los Angeles), 25-3
Classification: Southern (1AA) - OPEN DIVISION
Ranks: 2 state, 12 national

The Cubs lost 65-54 to Redondo Union in the second round of the Open Division playoffs, so they still have a state playoffs appearance to look forward to. The team shot 30 percent from the field and 53 percent from the free throw line.

8. (4) Centennial (Corona), 25-3
Classification: Southern (1AA) - OPEN DIVISION
Ranks: 6 state, 35 national

The Huskies went on the road to JW North and it was tied in the final minute before things went sour. They lost 78-76 in the second round, but will still get a berth in the state playoffs. Deontae North scored 27 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to lead the way for the Huskies. 

9. (8) Mayfair (Lakewood), 23-6
Classification: Southern (1AA) - OPEN DIVISION
Ranks: 30 state, 264 national

The Monsoons got a home game against Mater Dei in the second round of the Open Division playoffs but that definitely was the only positive, as the nation's No. 1 team won 77-59. Dillon Reise tallied 11 points for Mayfair.

10. (10) St. Augustine (San Diego), 28-2
Classification: San Diego (Open)
Ranks: 14 state, 93 national

The Saints secured their spot in the Open Division final by downing a very good Torrey Pines team in the semifinals Wednesday, 49-45. Stats weren't readily available. The Saints are poised for a bump up if they secure the Open Division crown with a win Saturday over La Costa Canyon.

11. (11) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth), 27-3
Classification: Southern (4A) - OPEN DIVISION
Ranks: 17 state, 138 national

And now we get to the consolation bracket for the Open Division. The Trailblazers may have lost in the second round but they have fought back, with wins over Serra (53-45) and Chaminade (52-47). They led 43-25 entering the fourth quarter in the Chaminade game, and things got a little closer than they would have liked. Cody Riley didn't even score, but Devearl Ramsey came up with 19, according to the LA Daily News. Sierra Canyon will battle Bishop Montgomery for the consolation title on Friday.

12. (12) Bishop Montgomery (Torrance), 22-5
Classification: Southern (4AA) - OPEN DIVISION
Ranks: 12 state, 72 national

The Knights are the other consolation team still alive after they beat Cathedral (71-59) and St. John Bosco (64-63). According to the Long Beach Press-Telegram, Justin Bibbins hit the game-winning free throw to beat Bosco. The Knights face Sierra Canyon for the consolation title on Friday.

13. (13) Chaminade (West Hills), 22-6
Classification: Southern (3A) - OPEN DIVISION
Ranks: 11 state, 61 national

The Eagles were able to get a win when they took down Cantwell-Sacred Heart (53-34) in the first consolation game, but lost to Sierra Canyon (52-47). Against Cantwell, Michael Oguine busted out for 17 points in what was a tight game before Chaminade finished the final quarter with a 23-6 run. Against Sierra Canyon, Max Tinsley led the team with 14 points.

14. (15) St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 18-11
Classification: Southern (2AA) - OPEN DIVISION
Ranks: 9 state, 59 national

The Braves took a 58-52 win from Compton, taking a 29-17 lead to halftime only to enter the fourth quarter down 40-37. Against Bishop Montgomery in a 64-63 loss, Daniel Hamilton hit a 3-pointer with seven seconds left to tie the game, but late free throws eliminated the Braves.

15. (16) Long Beach Poly, 24-7
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 16 state, 106 national

The Jackrabbits weren't taken for the Open Division, and they're proving that they are worthy of the berth they didn't get. They blasted Roosevelt in a 70-52 quarterfinal victory, then they got a big test in a 48-47 triumph over Inglewood to advance to the 1AA final. Poly was actually up 10 in the final minute, according to the Long Beach Gazette, but things got a little wacky there at the end. Drew Buggs scored 14 points to go with 11 rebounds. Now the Jackrabbits will face Mission Viejo for the title this weekend.

16. (14) Compton, 22-6
Classification: Southern (2A) - OPEN DIVISION
Ranks: 19 state, 162 national

The Tarbabes went 0-2 in the Open Division. This past week they lost 58-52 to St. John Bosco. According to the Long Beach Press Telegram, they had a seven-point lead in the final quarter but it slipped away. Isaiah Bailey led the team with 14 points.

17. (18) Serra (Gardena), 20-9
Classification: Southern (4AA) - OPEN DIVISION
Ranks: 38 state, 328 national

The Cavaliers lost 53-45 to Sierra Canyon to finish an 0-2 foray into the Open Division. Stats are unavailable.

18. (19) Mater Dei Catholic (Chula Vista), 27-2
Classification: San Diego (II)
Ranks: 36 state, 318 national

The Crusaders are in the SDS Division II final against a very good Parker team that could make it into the rankings before it's all said and done. They beat Serra 68-43 and Mt. Carmel 75-51, which makes three consecutive playoff blowouts. Iman Chatman scored 16 points in the Mt. Carmel triumph.

19. (21) El Camino Real (Woodland Hills), 24-6
Classification: Los Angeles City (I)
Ranks: 24 state, 202 national

The Conquistadores are all set for a title matchup with Westchester. Washington was no match in a 85-64 victory, and Fairfax was a 51-41 victim to the ECR machine. Maleke Haynes tallied 16 points against Fairfax to lead the way, according to the LA Times.

20. (22) Sonora (La Habra), 28-3
Classification: Southern (2A)
Ranks: 43 state, 350 national

The Raiders are in the 2A final against Calabasas, a great matchup. They beat Arlington 49-46 and Oak Hills 57-46, snapping a 16-game winning streak for Oak Hills. An 8-0 run in the fourth quarter was plenty enough to put Oak Hills away. Josh Rodriguez and Ben Rico each scored 18 points.

21. (23) Sweetwater (National City), 28-0
Classification: San Diego (III)
Ranks: 55 state, 459 national

A record correction was in order for the Red Devils. They are headed to the D-III section title game against Kearny after grabbing three playoff wins, and they were a bit closer than the customary blowouts for this squad. They beat Foothills Christian 61-54 to make it to the final, and before that, Sweetwater beat Valhalla 73-64.

22. (24) Cathedral (Los Angeles), 22-5
Classification: Southern (3A) - OPEN DIVISION
Ranks: 64 state, 530 national

The Phantoms lost to Bishop Montgomery in the Open Division consolation bracket, 71-59. Lorel Johnson led his team with 20 points, and Lucas Siewert grabbed 13 rebounds.

23. (25) Cantwell-Sacred Heart (Montebello), 20-8
Classification: Southern (4A) - OPEN DIVISION
Ranks: 41 state, 348 national

The Cardinals took a beating in the computer rankings. Remember, though, they beat Chino Hills and Mayfair earlier this year. In the consolation bracket, they lost to Chaminade 53-34. It was a two-point game entering the fourth quarter, then the wheels fell off. Andrew Martinez led the team with nine points.

24. (NR) Canyon (Anaheim), 27-4
Classification: Southern (2AA)
Ranks: 18 state, 152 national

The Comanches are back. We saw them earlier this season but a league loss knocked them out. Now they are set to take on Westlake this weekend for the 2AA title, proving that the league loss was more of a fluke that originally thought.

25. (NR) Calabasas, 26-5
Classification: Southern (2A)
Ranks: 27 state, 247 national

The Coyotes also jump in, though they are here for the first time. And the loser between them and Sonora could fall right out. This squad has won 16 in a row now, and emerged out of a pretty good group of schools in the Ventura County area (Calabasas is right on the border).

Dropped out: No. 17 El Toro, No. 20 Rancho Cucamonga