SBLive’s California Boys Basketball Top 25: Santa Ana Foothill debuts at No. 25 in statewide rankings

With league play underway, here’s a look at the top boys high school basketball teams in California midway through January.

SBLive’s statewide high school boys basketball rankings are compiled by SBLive California reporter Connor Morrissette and are released every Monday throughout the 2021-22 season.

SBLIVE CALIFORNIA TOP 25 BOYS BASKETBALL RANKINGS

Jan. 17, 2021

1. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) (17-2)

Last week: 1

Sierra Canyon's two losses have come against out of state opponents. In the last two weeks, the Trailblazers have added two mid year sophomore transfers: seven-footer Majok Chuol and Trentyn Flowers. Sierra Canyon will stay No. 1 until a team from California knocks them off.

2. Corona Centennial (Corona, Calif.) (16-1)

Last week: 2

The Huskies lost to Texas power Duncanville 75-70 at the Thanksgiving Hoopfest showcase at Dickie’s Arena in Fort Worth, Texas in November, which is their only loss on the year. Centennial's best wins against California opponents have come against No. 5 Crean Lutheran and No. 7 Notre Dame.

3. Campolindo (Moraga, Calif.) (11-1)

Last week: 3

Campolindo is the clear top team in Northern California. The Cougars only loss on the season came against Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy (Dallas, Texas) at the Torrey Pines Holiday Classic.

4. Riverside Poly (Riverside, Calif.) (19-1)

Last week: 4

The Bears have beaten No. 16 West Ranch and No. 6 Damien this season.

5. Crean Lutheran (Irvine, Calif.) (14-1)

Last week: 5

Crean Lutheran drastically raised its stock at the Classic at Damien. The Saints advanced to the Gold Division championship game with wins over Oak Park and No. 10 Rolling Hills Prep. Since then, the've won three blowouts in the Empire League and recorded a 72-57 win over Rancho Christian.

6. Damien (La Verne, Calif.) (18-1)

Last week: 6

Damien fell to No. 4 Riverside Poly in the Classic at Damien 64-56, which was the Spartans first loss of the year. Earlier this season, Damien beat Riverside Poly 55-52.

7. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) (17-3)

Last week: 7

Notre Dame beat No. 8 Harvard-Westlake for the first time in the Matt Sargeant era two weeks ago, which propelled the Knights up to No. 7. Senior Creighton commit Ben Shtolzberg scored 28 points in Notre Dame’s 71-61 win over the Wolverines. Last week, Notre Dame beat Mission League foes Loyola and Alemany to stay in first place.

8. Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.) (16-2)

Last week: 8

Harvard-Westlake fell to No. 7 Notre Dame 71-61 two weeks ago, which dropped the Wolverines to No. 8.

9. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) (17-2)

Last week: 9

Mater Dei has two out of state losses on the season — they’re undefeated against California opponents.

10. Rolling Hills Prep (San Pedro, Calif.) (14-1)

Last week: 10

Harvey Kitani clearly has his best ever Rolling Hills Prep team this season. The Huskies have beaten No. 23 Colony and No. 22 San Joaquin Memorial so far this year.

11. Modesto Christian (Modesto, Calif.) (13-1)

Last week: 11

Modesto Christian has beaten No. 22 San Joaquin Memorial this season as well as a good Durango (Nevada) team twice. The Crusaders lost to unranked Clovis North 77-56 on Dec. 9, but Modesto’s top end talent of sophomore guard Jamari Phillips and junior guard BJ Davis is enough to keep Modesto Christian in the upper half of the Top 25.

12. Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.) (20-1)

Last week: 15

Clovis West fell to unranked Pleasant Valley on Dec. 28, but wins over No. 22 San Joaquin Memorial and Clovis North as well as an overall record of 20-1 makes for a great resume.

13. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) (13-1)

Last week: 19

The Eagles debuted last week after beating JSerra in Trinity League play. Following a frustrating defeat against No. 9 Mater Dei last Wednesday, Santa Margarita responded with a 48-46 overtime win over St. John Bosco to move up in the rankings.

14. Etiwanda (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) (12-4)

Last week: 21

The Eagles have lost to No. 2 Corona Centennial, No. 9 Mater Dei and JSerra this year, but they have Top 25 level talent led by 2022 New Mexico commit Quinton Webb. Etiwanda is 2-0 in Baseline League play. Their best win on the season came against Sacramento Sheldon in the Classic at Damien.

15. Bishop Montgomery (Torrance, Calif.) (11-1)

Last week: 14

Bishop Montgomery’s lone loss of the season came against St. Bernard, 54-44 on Dec. 4. The Knights’ best win came against Heritage Christian 68-49 on Dec. 22.

16. West Ranch (Santa Clarita, Calif.) (9-6)

Last week: NR

West Ranch's win over No. 17 Fairmont Prep on Jan. 8 may prove to be a big one when Southern Section playoff matchups come out next month. When James Evans and Andrew Meadow are playing well, West Ranch can hang with just about anyone.

17. Fairmont Prep (Anaheim, Calif.) (11-3)

Last week: NR

Fairmont Prep debuts this week after beating No. 21 Capistrano Valley Christian 72-67 on Jan. 11. The Huskies are loaded with senior point guard Myles Che, shooting guard Chol Deng and big man Collins Acheampong all capable of scoring in double digits on any given night.

18. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) (9-3)

Last week: 18

Mitty is very well coached and will compete with any team in the state this season despite lacking top end talent. The Monarchs are undefeated against California opponents.

19. St. Anthony (Long Beach, Calif.) (9-3)

Last week: NR

St. Anthony recorded a key 76-70 Del Rey League win over Serra Gardena on Saturday to move into this week's rankings. Jaayden Bush led all scorers with 28 points in the win. The Saints' best win so far this season came against No. 20 Long Beach Poly on Dec. 10.

20. Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, Calif.) (6-4)

Last week: 24

Long Beach Poly is 6-4, but the Jackrabbits showed that they can compete with top teams in the state when fully healthy at the Classic At Damien. Poly beat No. 22 San Joaquin Memorial 64-63 in the Gold Division semifinals. Early season defeats to No. 16 St. Anthony and Gardena Serra mean the Jackrabbits come in at No. 17 this week. Due to COVID-19, Poly hasn't played since their Dec. 19 win over San Joaquin Memorial.

21. Capistrano Valley Christian (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) (13-4)

Last week: NR

When fully healthy, Capistrano Valley Christian is a clear top 25 team in the state. Guards Makaih Williams and Mac West are great scorers. The Eagles best wins this season have come against Pacifica Christian, San Juan Hills and Fountain Valley.

22. San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, Calif.) (12-6)

Last week: 16

San Joaquin Memorial has lost to No. 10 Rolling Hills Prep, No. 11 Modesto Christian and No. 12 Clovis West this season. Their best win came against JSerra 59-56 on Dec. 18.

23. Colony (Ontario, Calif.) (16-1)

Last week: 25

The Titans one loss on the year came against No. 10 Rolling Hills Prep 50-43 at the Classic at Damien. Senior Minnesota commit Jaden Henley and junior guards Kollen Murphy and Jaidyn Simpson make up a strong trio for Colony. The Titans have won four games in a row.

24. St. Joseph (Santa Maria, Calif.) (16-2)

Last week: 17

The Knights lone in state loss came against Heritage Christian 54-52. St. Joseph’s best win so far this year was against Clovis North, 79-69 on Dec. 20th.

25. Foothill (Santa Ana, Calif.) (17-1)

Last week: NR

Foothill debuts this week after picking up a key 49-46 Crestview League win over rival Canyon last week. The Knights' best wins this season have come against JSerra and Canyon. Their lone loss was to Edison.