MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 Boys Basketball Rankings

The holiday tournament season has ended, and now all that is left before the playoffs is a series of showcase events and league play. Although league play doesn't challenge many top teams every night, there always seem to be upsets that happen when programs familiar with each other meet up.

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), 14-0
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 1 state, 2 national, 2 Xcellent 25

The Monarchs stay pat thanks to not playing in the past week. They face Santa Margarita Wednesday and go to Orange Lutheran Friday.

2. (2) Loyola (Los Angeles), 13-0
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 2 state, 3 national, 15 Xcellent 25

The Cubs moved up a spot in the Xcellent 25, but came about as close as possible to dropping significantly, as they squeaked past Compton, 64-63. Compton missed a pair of free throws in the final second to solidify the win for the Cubs, who stay undefeated and are at Notre Dame Wednesday before hosting Chaminade Friday.

3. (4) Centennial (Corona), 12-2
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 5 state, 24 national

The Huskies moved up in these rankings, down in the national computer rankings and did both without playing a game. They face Norco a week from Tuesday.

4. (5) Redondo Union (Redondo Beach), 12-3
Classification: Southern (2AA)
Ranks: 13 state, 60 national

The Sea Hawks registered a 69-58 triumph over Alemany in their only game of the week at their own showcase event. However Ian Fox sat out the final minutes with an injury, according to the Torrance Daily Breeze, so the team may have to regroup depending on the severity. Terrell Carter posted 24 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks in a dominant effort inside, while Leland Green added 17 points. Next up is a home game with Palos Verdes Peninsula a week from Tuesday.

5. (6) Bishop Montgomery (Torrance), 13-1
Classification: Southern (4AA)
Ranks: 3 state, 12 national

The Knights emerged with a 55-54 comeback triumph over Long Beach Poly at Inglewood's Paul Pierce Winter Classic. According to the Daily Breeze, they trailed by four at halftime, but persevered thanks to 17 points and seven rebounds from Ethan Thompson. The Knights will host Narbonne Wednesday.

6. (7) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth), 14-1
Classification: Southern (4A)
Ranks: 15 state, 73 national, 25 Xcellent 25

The Trailblazers got a boost in both rankings, while staying in the same spot in the Xcellent 25. They opened Alpha League play with a 56-43 win over Paraclete and then host Viewpoint Thursday and Price Saturday.

7. (3) Etiwanda, 13-3
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 9 state, 48 national

The Eagles dropped a tight 59-58 game to Mayfair at the Jordan Take Flight event at Redondo Union, their third loss in four games. Playing without star Jordan McLaughlin has proven to be very difficult for this squad. They blew a 13-point halftime lead and lost on a late putback in the Mayfair game, but got 21 points and 10 rebounds from Kameron Edwards and 17 points from Kenny Barnes. The Eagles host Los Osos Friday.

8. (8) Westchester (Los Angeles), 12-4
Classification: Los Angeles City (I)
Ranks: 8 state, 30 national

The Comets didn't play last week. They will face Sheldon (Sacramento) on Saturday in Cerritos.

9. (9) Cantwell-Sacred Heart (Montebello), 11-2
Classification: Southern (4A)
Ranks: 10 state, 49 national

The Cardinals registered a 69-57 win over Lawndale to keep their great start going. Four players scored in double figures, led by Joey Covarrubias with 20. Emiliano Mejia was 5-for-5 from 3-point range and Gligorije Rakocevic hauled in 14 rebounds. Cantwell-Sacred Heart will battle Sunnyslope (Phoenix) Saturday at Cerritos College.

10. (10) St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 8-5
Classification: Southern (2AA)
Ranks: 17 state, 90 national

The Braves did not play. They go to Servite Wednesday and then host JSerra Catholic on Friday in Trinity League play.

11. (12) Chaminade (West Hills), 12-1
Classification: Southern (3A)
Ranks: 8 state, 33 national

The Eagles had little trouble dispatching West Ranch, 76-48, and that moves their win streak to nine in a row. Eleven players scored, with Trevor Stanback leading the way with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Jack Williams had 13 rebounds. Now their attention turns to a titanic Mission League opener Friday at Loyola.

12. (13) El Camino Real (Woodland Hills), 11-4
Classification: Los Angeles City (I)
Ranks: 13 state, 71 national

Some schedule updates have changed the Conquistadors' record, even though they only played Windward in a 63-50 win last week. According to the LA Daily News, ECR was up by as much as 23 in the game, and Windward was missing four key players in the battle. Maleke Haynes scored 16 points and the team will open league play at Chatsworth a week from Wednesday.

13. (15) Mayfair (Lakewood), 9-5
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 24 state, 133 national

The Monsoons notched a big win when they beat Etiwanda 59-58. Regardless of the fact that the Eagles didn't have Jordan McLaughlin, this was still a big win and another reason why you have to call this group a contender despite its five losses. League games against La Mirada and Norwalk are next.

14. (11) Compton, 11-3
Classification: Southern (2A)
Ranks: 18 state, 95 national

The Tarbabes were oh-so-close to making a jump in the rankings, as Kyron Cartwright missed a pair of free throws at the end that could have forced overtime or won the game. That 64-63 loss doesn't hurt Compton too much in the rankings, though. They will go to Lakewood Friday to kick off Moore League play and host Millikan (Long Beach) Monday.

15. (16) Chino Hills, 9-4
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 22 state, 121 national

The Huskies had the week off.

16. (17) JW North (Riverside), 13-1
Classification: Southern (1A)
Ranks: 20 state, 141 national

The Huskies crushed Canyon Springs 78-38, and will face Valley View and Quest Preperatory (Las Vegas) this week.

17. (18) St. Augustine (San Diego), 14-2
Classification: San Diego (Open)
Ranks: 12 state, 57 national

We really want to move the Saints up more. The top team in the U-T San Diego poll probably rests too low here. But we don't want to do it at the expense of a deserving team, so for now the Saints stay. They defeated Damien (La Verne) 73-63 and then bonked Scripps Ranch 61-34 in league play. Watch out for St. Augustine. As others lose games this team should climb rapidly.

18. (14) Long Beach Poly, 8-6
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 21 state, 99 national

The Jackrabbits lost 55-54 to Bishop Montgomery last week and that means three-straight losses by a total of five points. This team's record is obviously not as good as the talent, but the Jackrabbits will need to find ways to win these close ones. They closed the game on a 5-0 run but it wasn't enough. They face Millikan and Jordan this week.

19. (20) El Toro (Lake Forest), 14-2
Classification: Southern (1A)
Ranks: 36 state, 240 national

The Chargers slammed Ocean View 70-14 and then followed up with a 55-40 triumph at Trabuco Hills. Orange County's No. 2 team has the look of a dangerous playoff team. Tesoro is on the schedule later this week.

20. (21) Rancho Cucamonga, 14-2
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 33 state, 211 national

The Cougars took out Renaissance Academy 69-60 and Warren 65-40 to reach eight wins in a row. A league game at Upland awaits Friday.

21. (22) Canyon (Anaheim), 14-2
Classification: Southern (2AA)
Ranks: 21 state, 120 national

The Comanches won a pair of tight ones, beating Brea-Olinda 57-55 and Brentwood School 55-54. Esperanza and El Modena are on the league schedule next.

22. (23) Mater Dei Catholic (Chula Vista), 12-2
Classification: San Diego (II)
Ranks: 42 state, 300 national

The Crusaders got a couple first-place votes in the UT-San Diego poll, and that shows that this is a dangerous squad. They won 57-19 over Coronado earlier in the week and prepare to face off with Bishop's and Rancho Christian (Temecula) this week.

23. (24) La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad), 14-2
Classification: San Diego (Open)
Ranks: 26 state, 154 national

The Mavericks won 69-51 at Army-Navy to keep a successful season going. They will face Centennial (Compton) on Saturday in a showcase event at Lincoln High.

24. (25) Central (Fresno), 8-3
Classification: Central (I)
Ranks: 43 state, 317 national

The Grizzlies host Edison (Fresno) on Friday.

25. (NR) Damien (La Verne), 13-2
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 41 state, 289 national

The Spartans lost their only game of the week, but that came to St. Augustine. What gets them in is a win over Mayfair earlier this season and a tight four-point loss to Canyon, plus blowouts over a lot of teams. The Spartans will go to Charter Oak a week from Wednesday.

Dropped out: No. 19 Serra (Gardena)