MaxPreps Northern California Top 25 high school basketball rankings

Hoops is here in full force. A peek at the MaxPreps NorCal Top 25 boys basketball rankings...


1. Capital Christian (Sacramento) (14-2)
The Cougars are Division V, yes, but they play big, with two wins over Sacramento and other wins against state-ranked programs behind Michigan-bound 6-8 forward D.J. Wilson.

2. Monte Vista (Danville) (13-0)
With Trevor John and Spencer Rust leading the way, the Mustangs are off to a roaring start, smothering teams with ball movement and defense.

3. El Cerrito (14-0)
Not just a football power, but also off to a school-record best start in this sport with speed, balance and defense.

4. Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) (5-4)
Facing a national schedule and still viewed by some as the top team in NorCal, the Dragons are led by national recruit Ivan Rabb. Will play No. 1 Capital Christian on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

5. Jesuit (Carmichael) (15-0)
The Marauders, a longtime power in the Sac-Joaquin Section, won 12 games last season amid a brutal early schedule and return the core of the group, including Lake Lutes.

6. St. Ignatius (San Francisco) (8-1)
The Wildcats are poised to battle Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) for West Catholic Athletic League honors, having only lost 66-62 to No. 5 Jesuit, and having just rolled Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco) 70-39.

7. Sacramento (9-3)
The Dragons start all sophomores, including 6-7 post Solomon Young. Two losses are to No. 1 Capital Christian.

8. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) (9-2)
Yes, there is life after Aaron Gordon, now the leader for NCAA No. 1 Arizona. Coach Tim Kennedy has a program ready to roll in the West Catholic Athletic League.

9. Folsom (13-2)
The Bulldogs have won Sac-Joaquin Section D-I titles before under veteran coach Mike Wall, and he has the Bulldogs rolling again with sophomore guard Jordan Ford.

10. Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove) 14-1
The Wolfpack is a newer school in the Sac-Joaquin Section, and a serious section D-II title contender behind football recruit Alex Van Dyke.

11. St. Mary's (Stockton) 12-2
A Sac-Joaquin Section power since the 1970s, the Rams are led by Devin Williams, headed to UC Santa Barbara.

12. Moreau Catholic (Hayward) (10-3)
The Mariners are gearing up for a showdown against Newark Memorial on Friday after beating a very strong Half Moon Bay team, 49-35.

13. San Ramon Valley (Danville) (12-1)
The lone loss was to No. 24 San Leandro, but otherwise it's been fast forward for coach John Raynor.

14. St. Francis (Mountain View) (10-1)
The lone loss was to No. 8 Mitty with more action sure to unfold in the ever-brutal West Catholic Athletic League.

15. Salesian (Richmond) (9-4)
The longtime powerhouse Pride fell to No. 5 Jesuit in the capper of the Father Kelly Tribute and expect to soar through league play.

16. St. Joseph Notre Dame (Alameda) (10-3)
Iconic coach Don Lippi continues to produce power teams, including this one that handed No. 16 Rodriguez its only loss.

17. Rodriguez (Fairfield) (13-1)
The prolific and quick Mustangs of Fairfield are off to a school-record best start. They beat Riordon (San Francisco) 68-57.

18. Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco) (9-1)
The Irish had their sizzling season start dulled in a loss to No. 6 St. Ignatius. A rematch will be telling.

19. Archbishop Riordan (San Francisco) (7-4)
The Crusaders of the WCAL have losses to No. 13 San Ramon Valley (39-33), No. 7 Sacramento (77-64) and No. 17 Rodriguez (68-57).

20. Campolindo (Moraga) (10-4)
The Cougars lost to No. 1 Capital Christian (80-71), No. 18 Sacred Heart Cathedral (73-64) and No. 2 Monte Vista 63-55.

21. Freedom (Oakley) (10-3)
Not just a football power, the basketball team is off to a quick start with defense and depth in the key. Recent win includes No. 22 Montgomery, 58-55.

22. Montgomery (Santa Rosa) (8-4)
The Vikings of the North Coast Section have two losses to No. 22 Freedom and stand as the favorites in the North Bay League.

23. Berkeley (10-0)
The Yellowjackets are giving the girls on campus some run for headlines as the girls have been a decades-long power. Next two games are against No. 24 San Leandro.

24. San Leandro (7-5)
The Pirates of the North Coast Section will battle No. 23 Berkeley for the West Alameda County title.

25. Burlingame (10-3)
The Panthers of the Central Coast Section are leading contenders for the Peninsula South championship.

Click here for a story on one of the top players in Northern California who overcame a serious knee injury, out of Grant (Sacramento)

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