MaxPreps Southern California Top 25 high school boys basketball rankings

Playoff basketball is just around the corner. The Nike Extravaganza is behind us. And CIF Southern Section polls continue to evolve.

There is lots of excitement surrounding prep hoops, but there are no new teams this week. Playoff upsets are sure to throw some wrenches into all that.

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), 23-0
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 2 state, 3 national, 1 Xcellent 25

The Monarchs continued their downright amazing start and picked up a win against Xcellent 25 squad Whitney Young (Chicago) Saturday at the Nike Extravaganza, 69-57. The day before they dispatched Village Christian 79-60 and earlier in the week they beat Santa Margarita in Trinity League play, 59-52, in a game they trailed 21-20 at the half. Stanley Johnson scored 21 in that win. Next up is Orange Lutheran Wednesday at home and St. John Bosco on the road Friday.

2. (2) Loyola (Los Angeles), 21-1
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 1 state, 2 national, 8 Xcellent 25

The Cubs moved up eight spots in the Xcellent 25 thanks to wins over Notre Dame (65-47) and then smashed Chaminade 54-41 to avenge their only loss of the season. They go to St. Francis Wednesday, then host Crespi Friday and Harvard-Westlake Monday.

3. (5) Etiwanda, 21-3
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 4 state, 22 national

The Eagles have not lost a game when Jordan McLaughlin plays, and on Saturday, he was spectacular. Against St. John Bosco, McLaughlin only had two points in the first half and ended up with 32 after the 62-53 overtime win at the Nike Extravaganza. He also hit the shot that tied the game to force overtime. With a win over Centennial, and McLaughlin back, we have moved them up, also thanks to their spot above Centennial in the 1AA coaches poll. They also beat Los Osos 58-55. The Eagles go to Alta Loma Wednesday and host Rancho Cucamonga Friday before a Tuesday date at Glendora.

4. (3) Centennial (Corona), 19-2
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 3 state, 14 national

The Huskies fall after beating the previous No. 3? We have decided to award the edge to Etiwanda because of a head-to-head win and the fact its star is back. Centennial edged Corona 67-63, blasted Norco 78-50 then picked up a huge win over Redondo Union at the Nike Extravaganza, 67-60, in a game they trailed at the half. They host King Wednesday and Roosevelt Friday before an intriguing matchup with Cathedral Saturday. They also go to Santiago Tuesday.

5. (7) JW North (Riverside), 20-2 (21-0 on court)
Classification: Southern (1A)
Ranks: 18 state, 122 national

The Huskies continued to roll in a big way. They blasted Canyon Springs 77-31 and Valley View 57-34. It's obvious the Inland Valley League will be no competition. Deshon Taylor had 26 points against Canyon Springs. Rancho Verde comes to town Friday and they host Poly Tuesday.

6. (4) Redondo Union (Redondo Beach), 19-4
Classification: Southern (2AA)
Ranks: 10 state, 71 national

The Sea Hawks fell to Centennial, as mentioned above, so it's hard to fault them. They trumped Palos Verdes Peninsula 55-44 and after the Centennial loss they went to Mira Costa and won 64-40. They host West (Torrance) Friday and host Palos Verdes Tuesday.

7. (6) Westchester (Los Angeles), 20-5
Classification: Los Angeles City (I)
Ranks: 7 state, 34 national

The Comets came close to knocking off East Coast power DeMatha (Hyattsville, Md.) at the Nike Extravaganza, but lost 61-56 in overtime. Elijah Stewart managed 32 points in the loss. Los Angeles CES was no match earlier in the week in an 81-39 win and Westchester took out its loss on Venice with a 101-45 whacking. They host Palisades Wednesday, go to Hamilton Friday and go to Fairfax Monday.

8. (8) Mayfair (Lakewood), 19-5
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 40 state, 351 national

The Monsoons have won 12 in a row, including one over Etiwanda. The Computer Rankings and the CIFSS poll show that the Monsoons should be a little lower, but until they lose we're keeping them here. Mayfair beat up Norwalk 61-38 and escaped at La Mirada 47-45 to stay hot. The Monsoons go to Artesia Friday then finish their season hosting Bellflower Tuesday.

9. (9) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth), 22-2
Classification: Southern (4A)
Ranks: 12 state, 79 national

The Trailblazers dispatched Paraclete 62-52 and then went on the road to take down Viewpoint 72-46 Tuesday. Ira Lee posted a double-double against Paraclete (11 points, 12 rebounds). Campbell Hall comes to town Friday.

10. (11) Chino Hills, 19-4
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 6 state, 32 national

The Huskies somehow were lower than St. Augustine despite a head-to-head win. We've had to rectify that. Their computer ranking and No. 5 poll ranking in Division 1AA provide even more evidence. They beat the tar out of Damien (previously ranked) 85-53 and also beat down South Hills 90-50 to make it nine wins in a row. Next up are road games at Charter Oak (Wednesday) and Ayala (Friday) before hosting Claremont Tuesday.

11. (10) St. Augustine (San Diego), 21-2
Classification: San Diego (Open)
Ranks: 9 state, 61 national

The Saints went to Scripps Ranch and dominated, allowing single-digit points in each of the first three quarters in a 64-32 victory. It was 22-2 at one point according to the Qwixcore game log. The Saints go to Lincoln Friday and host La Jolla Tuesday.

12. (13) Long Beach Poly, 18-6
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 22 state, 137 national

The Jackrabbits once again edged Millikan, winning 73-70 on the road, and then had to gut out a one-point win over Jordan (71-70) before blasting Cabrillo 84-38. They have kept their historic Moore League dominance going, but there have been plenty of close calls. They go to Compton Wednesday in a dangerous game and go to Lakewood Tuesday.

13. (15) Bishop Montgomery (Torrance), 19-4
Classification: Southern (4AA)
Ranks: 11 state, 78 national

The Knights won 77-42 over St. Bernard to erase the bad taste of losing three of four. Yes, they lost to Compton last week, but Compton lost to Millikan and the Bishop Montgomery resume shows that they are likely the better team overall.

14. (12) Chaminade (West Hills), 17-4
Classification: Southern (3A)
Ranks: 8 state, 47 national

The Eagles lost to Loyola 54-41 but bounced back and beat Harvard-Westlake 64-58. This team has three league losses, certainly something that would be considered a negative. But we still like the Eagles. They host Crespi Wednesday and go to Notre Dame Friday and Alemany Tuesday.

15. (17) Serra (Gardena), 17-6
Classification: Southern (4AA)
Ranks: 20 state, 127 national

The Cavaliers are rolling, as they pasted Bishop Amat 64-39 and then whacked Upland 81-50 at the Nike Extravaganza. They have now won nine games in a row and will be gunning to reach double digits when they face off with La Salle Wednesday. Friday is a rematch with Bishop Montgomery, a team the Cavaliers beat in the first round of league play. They go to St. Bernard on Monday as well.

16. (16) St. John Bosco (Bellflower), 14-8
Classification: Southern (2AA)
Ranks: 15 state, 90 national

The Braves won 65-43 over Servite and were oh-so-close to knocking off Etiwanda in the Nike Extravaganza. Etiwanda hit a game-tying shot at the buzzer to force overtime and won it 62-53 with the extra period. Don't sleep on this team despite the eight losses. Bosco is dangerous, and will have a great chance to show it Wednesday at JSerra Catholic and Friday at home against Mater Dei. They also go to Orange Lutheran Tuesday.

17. (14) Compton, 18-5
Classification: Southern (2A)
Ranks: 13 state, 80 national

The Tarbabes did whack Lakewood 79-35, but against Millikan the defense fell apart in a 101-90 loss. They'll look to regroup with Long Beach Poly in town Wednesday before going to Woodrow Wilson Friday.

18. (18) El Toro (Lake Forest), 20-2
Classification: Southern (1A)
Ranks: 23 state, 173 national

The Chargers won 82-52 over Laguna Hills and are No. 2 in the CIFSS 1A poll behind JW North. They face Mission Viejo Wednesday in a tough matchup before they go to Tesoro Friday. Tuesday is a home game against Aliso Niguel.

19. (19) Mater Dei Catholic (Chula Vista), 20-2
Classification: San Diego (II)
Ranks: 43 state, 364 national

The Crusaders have now won 13 in a row, thanks to blowouts over Otay Ranch (78-47) and Olympian (51-30). They host Bonita Vista Friday and go to Eastlake Tuesday for a challenge. Division II is not very deep in the SDS, so expect Mater Dei Catholic to have an outstanding shot at the state playoffs, where the Crusaders will have a chance to battle some of the state's best and prove their computer ranking number is too low.

20. (20) Rancho Cucamonga, 20-3
Classification: Southern (1AA)
Ranks: 29 state, 220 national

The Cougars beat Upland 85-72 to keep up the good momentum. They're going to need it as they face Etiwanda on the road Friday. They also went to Los Osos Wednesday and host Alta Loma Tuesday.

21. (21) El Camino Real (Woodland Hills), 16-6
Classification: Los Angeles City (I)
Ranks: 24 state, 174 national

The Conquistadors' information last week somehow got wiped out. So here's what they have been up to: They lost to Loyola recently but got back on track in league play by beating Cleveland (81-38) and Chatsworth (52-43). They host Birmingham Wednesday and go to Taft Friday.

22. (22) Cathedral (Los Angeles), 16-2
Classification: Southern (3A)
Ranks: 23 state, 145 national

The Phantoms added yet another wrinkle into their candidacy for higher rankings: The No. 1 spot in the 3A poll, ahead of Chaminade. But they also lost to Clark (Las Vegas), a team that is pretty good in the Silver State. They pounded Bosco Tech 58-42 and Mary Star of the Sea 84-53 before the 62-55 setback. We are going to learn a ton about Cathedral this week with a Wednesday home game with Cantwell-Sacred Heart, a Friday home game against St. Monica and then a Saturday showcase game with Centennial (Corona).

23. (23) La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad), 20-3
Classification: San Diego (Open)
Ranks: 25 state, 196 national

The Mavericks continue to quietly shine. They had no trouble beating Fallbrook on the road (64-41) and crosstown Rival Carlsbad at home (61-36). They host El Camino (Oceanside) on Wednesday and Vista Friday before a Monday home rematch with Fallbrook.

24. (24) Sonora (La Habra), 20-3
Classification: Southern (2A)
Ranks: 39 state, 332 national

The Raiders have now won nine in a row thanks to a tight 62-60 triumph at Sunny Hills and a 56-44 win at Troy. They go to Fullerton Wednesday and host Buena Park Friday. They are the No. 2 team in the 2A poll behind Compton.

25. (25) Cantwell-Sacred Heart (Montebello), 18-5
Classification: Southern (4A)
Ranks: 17 state, 110 national

The Cardinals are second the 4A poll and they have a shot to move back up closer to where they were earlier this season. They blew out St. Monica 70-30 and St. Paul 60-27 to set up Wednesday's rematch with Cathedral. They also go to Mary Star of the Sea Friday and visit Bosco Tech Monday.