While we saw a few upsets happen in league play, the amount of change in the rankings this week is small compared with what is likely to happen next week.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day showcases all up and down the state will be pitting great teams against each other and that is sure to mean that we will see large amounts of movement in the next edition of the SoCal rankings.
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MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 Basketball Rankings
Aaron Holiday and Campbell Hall have earned their way into this week's rankings.
File photo by Nicholas Koza
Southern 5AA
Rankings: 1 state, 4 national, 9 Xcellent 25
The Trailblazers took over the top spot in the computer rankings and won 79-51 over Beverly Hills in their only action of the week. They begin Gold Coast League play at Crossroads (Santa Monica) Thursday and host Campbell Hall on Tuesday.
2. (2) Fairfax (Los Angeles), 15-0Section and Division: Los Angeles City I
Rankings: 2 state, 6 national, 23 Xcellent 25
The Lions made a tiny climb in the Xcellent 25, but locally, their 59-55 triumph over Cathedral was pretty big. Once again, they have shown the ability to win close games. They also blasted LACES 85-42 in a league game. Now they're headed to British Columbia to do some balling in Canada. They also go to University (Los Angeles) on Wednesday.
3. (3) Mater Dei (Santa Ana), 14-3Section and Division: Southern 1AA
Rankings: 8 state, 43 national
The
Monarchs added Trinity League victories over St. John Bosco (62-52), JSerra Catholic (68-41) and Santa Margarita (73-69 on the road). That's a nice trifecta. They host Orange Lutheran on Friday for a very nice test and then welcome Palm Desert Monday.
4. (4) Bishop Montgomery (Torrance), 18-1Section and Division: Southern 4AA
Rankings: 3 state, 27 national
The Knights added some games to their schedule and it makes their record that much better. Last week they won 54-51 over Narbonne and then easily dispatched St. Bernard 67-24. Friday's trip to Cathedral should be a good game before they are scheduled for a 12-day break.
5. (5) Long Beach Poly, 14-2Section and Division: Southern 1AA
Rankings: 6 state, 33 national
The
Jackrabbits won 81-69 at Millikan in a popular game in the Long Beach area, then downed Jordan and Cabrillo by identical 15-point margins to move to 4-0 in the Moore League. Friday's game at Compton should be somewhat of a challenge and then on Monday the Jackrabbits battle Cathedral in the MLK Showcase at La Salle.
6. (6) Redondo Union (Redondo Beach), 12-4Section and Division: Southern 1AA
Rankings: 5 state, 41 national
The
Sea Hawks only had to deal with Inglewood last week and did so by a 74-63 margin, so they are 1-0 in the Bay League. Friday features a league contest at Morningside (Inglewood), but Saturday presents a big hurdle with a neutral court game against San Diego's top team, Foothills Christian, at Cerritos College. They also go to Palos Verdes Peninsula on Tuesday.
7. (7) Centennial (Corona), 10-4Section and Division: Southern 1AA
Rankings: 9 state, 44 national
The
Huskies weren't challenged by King in their Big VIII opener, winning 71-25 after allowing just six points in the opening half. Roosevelt (Eastvale) is the opponent Thursday night in league play before taking on Maranatha (Pasadena) Saturday at Cerritos College. They also go to Santiago (Corona) Tuesday for a league game.
8. (8) Price (Los Angeles), 16-2Section and Division: Southern 6
Rankings: 14 state, 101 national
The
Knights knocked off Orangewood Academy (Garden Grove) 65-52 and San Gabriel Academy 71-62. The best one of the week, though, was a 69-67 triumph over La Costa Canyon in the San Diego/LA Challenge. That's a solid three games. Now they must prepare for Cathedral on Saturday in their MLK Showcase, and then head to Oaks Christian for a Wednesday game.
9. (10) Chino Hills, 9-2Section and Division: Southern 1AA
Rankings: 8
state, 48 national
The Huskies dropped 105 points on Rancho Cucamonga in a 105-81 victory and followed that up with a 97-88 triumph over Renaissance Academy (Altadena). Yes, this team likes to score. There was a Tuesday game scheduled with Upland that appears to have been postponed or added in error. But all that's the past. The Huskies are headed to Springfield, Mo., to take part in the Bass Pros Shops Tournament of Champions and they will take on national juggernaut Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.). Even the consolation games will be brutal.
10. (11) JW North (Riverside), 15-0
Kaleb Wilborn, Damien
Photo by David Steutel
Southern 1AA
Rankings: 34 state, 298 national
Once again, all they do is win. But they don't play very many elite teams. The Huskies stayed unbeaten with a 71-45 win over Verbum Dei and a 78-43 triumph over Canyon Springs. Arlington (Riverside) is Friday and Valley View (Moreno Valley) is Wednesday in league play.
11. (13) Damien (La Verne), 14-2Section and Division: Southern 1AA
Rankings: 9
state, 49 national
The Spartans are a force to be reckoned with, and they gave a little preview of how good they are with a 60-58 victory over Etiwanda. They also spanked Upland 70-27 in Baseline League play. Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley) is Monday's opponent and then they face Chino Hills on Wednesday.
12. (12) Cathedral (Los Angeles), 12-2Section and Division: Southern 1AA
Rankings: 17 state, 128 national
The Phantoms lost 59-55 to Fairfax in their only action of the week. It was a tough call to leave them here or to put Damien ahead, but we gave a tiny nudge to Damien. This team will get a chance to move right back up with a ridiculously tough stretch this coming week. Here is the murderer's row: Bishop Montgomery Friday, Price Saturday, Long Beach Poly Monday and Cantwell-Sacred Heart Wednesday.
13. (16) Chaminade (West Hills), 15-2Section and Division: Southern 4AA
Rankings: 24
state, 191 national
The Eagles bounced back from their Loyola loss with three victories: 68-55 over St. Francis, 75-58 over Serra and 65-64 over Crespi. They've won seven of their last eight and will host Harvard-Westlake Friday before a huge test Monday in Berkeley against De La Salle (Concord). They also host Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) on Wednesday.
14. (17) Orange Lutheran, 14-2Section and Division: Southern 4AA
Rankings: 11
state, 87 national
The
Lancers moved their winning streak to eight with a 65-55 victory over
Servite and a 78-54 triumph over JSerra Catholic. That all sets the
stage for a huge game Friday at Mater Dei, one in which the Lancers have
to feel good about. Not many teams can say that heading into a game
against Mater Dei. On Monday, they will face California (Whittier) and
then they get Santa Margarita on Wednesday.
15. (9) Etiwanda, 11-5Section and Division: Southern 1AA
Rankings: 26
state, 241 national
The
Eagles lost 60-58 to Damien (La Verne) in Baseline League play. The
Baseline is an extremely tough league - it's hard to imagine any team
running away with it. They did beat Los Osos 74-37 earlier. They face
Rancho Cucamonga Friday and Calabasas on Monday.
16. (NR) Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita), 10-2Section and Division: Southern 1AA
Rankings: 51
state, 494 national
The Eagles enter the rankings after they felled St. John Bosco 47-45. They weren't able to take that momentum into their next matchup, a 73-69 loss to Mater Dei, but that tight score against Mater Dei is further proof that Santa Margarita can hang with the best teams around. They led by 11 at the half, so it certainly was a brutal game to lose at home. After a Friday matchup with Servite, the Eagles face Trabuco Hills on Monday and go to Orange Lutheran on Wednesday.
17. (14) Foothills Christian (El Cajon), 10-7 (2 forfeit losses)Section and Division: San Diego II
Rankings: 20
state, 147 national
The Knights are in huge danger of losing their perch atop the SDS after losing a league game to Bishop's (La Jolla), 48-42. They're still getting acclaim on the statewide scene, but one more loss like that could have huge ramifications. They'll look to get on the good side of things Friday at La Jolla Country Day and then face Redondo Union Saturday before going to Horizon Christian Academy on Tuesday.
18. (18) St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 10-6Section and Division: Southern 1AA
Rankings: 27
state, 246 national
The
Braves dropped a tough, low-scoring battle to Santa Margarita, 47-45,
but rebounded to beat Servite 81-49. After facing JSerra Catholic on
Friday in a Trinity League game, they face off with Windward Saturday at
the War on the Floor at St. Genevieve.
19. (20) La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad), 12-5Section and Division: San Diego 1
Rankings: 23
state, 182 national
The Mavericks are one of those teams where you can't find a bad loss even if there aren't a ton of big-time wins. The Mavericks dropped a 69-67 game to Price, which if you go by rankings, is a game they weren't supposed to win - so you can't penalize that. They battled back with a 54-43 triumph over Mission Hills (San Marcos) and combined with a loss by Foothills Christian, they're knocking on the door for the San Diego Section's top spot.
20. (15) Loyola (Los Angeles), 10-6Section and Division: Southern 1A
Rankings: 22
state, 161 national
The Cubs were tripped up by Alemany, losing 64-51. That's five losses in their last eight games, which certainly is not a good omen. Those losses had been to very good teams, and while Alemany is having a very good season, the Cubs are in danger of slipping out after a great start. They host St. Francis (La Canada) Friday and host Crespi Monday in league play.
21. (21) Sonora (La Habra), 14-3Section and Division: Southern 3AA
Rankings: 35
state, 301 national
The Raiders downed Sunny Hills easily, winning 66-45 in a league contest. They have a Friday road game at Troy (Fullerton) then go to Fullerton Wednesday.
22. (22) Foothill (Santa Ana), 14-3Section and Division: Southern 1A
Rankings: 32
state, 297 national
The Knights had no problem beating Yorba Lina on the road and after Friday's home game against El Modena (Orange), they will go to Canyon (Anaheim) for a Tuesday game.
23. (25) Torrey Pines (San Diego), 16-2Section and Division: San Diego I
Rankings: 29
state, 262 national
The Falcons had a very good week, winning big in three contests. They downed Mission Hills (San Marcos) 69-51, Royal (Simi Valley) 85-64 and El Capitan (Lakeside) 67-20. That's six wins in a row, and they will look to keep it up against La Costa Canyon on Monday and Westview (San Diego) on Wednesday.
24. (23) Cantwell-Sacred Heart (Montebello), 10-6Section and Division: Southern 3A
Rankings: 37
state, 341 national
The Cardinals won 76-54 over Serra (Gardena) after dropping a 48-46 contest to Sheldon (Sacramento), a program that is back on the rise after sanctions hit the program hard. Not a lot of shame losing to Sheldon. Cantwell-Sacred Heart goes to St. Bernard (Playa del Rey) Friday and then on Monday will face El Camino Real (Woodland Hills). Cathedral is on the slate for Wednesday.
25. (NR) Campbell Hall (North Hollywood), 12-4Section and Division: Southern 4A
Rankings: 42
state, 369 national
The Vikings enter the rankings with a resume that includes wins over El Camino Real, Calabasas and Village Christian. They have the chance to stick around with a strong showing in league play. They face Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks) on Monday and then go to Sierra Canyon on Tuesday.
