SBLive’s California Boys Basketball Top 25: Lincoln (Stockton) debuts in final regular season statewide rankings
Here’s a look at the top boys high school basketball teams in California with the playoffs either beginning this week (Southern Section) or starting up later this month elsewhere across the state.
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. Since the rankings consist mainly of teams from the Southern Section and we don't anticipate much movement from teams outside of the Section ahead of their postseasons, this set of statewide rankings will be our last until after state championships are played on March 12. Our final statewide boys basketball rankings will come out on Monday, March 14.
SBLIVE CALIFORNIA TOP 25 BOYS BASKETBALL RANKINGS
Feb. 7, 2021
1. Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) (22-3)
Last week: 1
Sierra Canyon picked up a big victory over nationally ranked Glenbard West (Ill.) winning 67-64 on the road on Saturday. Junior guard Dylan Metoyer hit a buzzer beating 3 to win the game. The victory keeps the Trailblazers at No. 1 in our rankings. Sierra Canyon earned the No. 2 seed in the Southern Section Open Division playoffs, which begin on Friday. The Trailblazers have no in state losses.
2. Corona Centennial (Corona, Calif.) (26-1)
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, and haven't lost since. Corona Centennial earned the No. 1 seed in the Southern Section Open Division playoffs, which begin on Friday. The Huskies have no in state losses.
3. Campolindo (Moraga, Calif.) (21-1)
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. Last week, Campolindo took down No. 25 Lincoln 56-54 on a buzzer beater from Cade Bennett.
4. Harvard-Westlake (Studio City, Calif.) (21-2)
Last week: 4
Harvard-Westlake fell to No. 10 Notre Dame 71-61 on Jan. 7, but have bounced back to win seven in a row. The Wolverines earned the No. 3 seed in the Southern Section Open Division playoffs, which begin on Friday.
5. Crean Lutheran (Irvine, Calif.) (22-3)
Last week: 5
Crean Lutheran’s best win came against No. 14 Rolling Hills Prep at the Classic at Damien. They’ve lost close games to No. 2 Corona Centennial and No. 4 Harvard-Westlake as well this season. The Saints earned the No. 4 seed in the Southern Section Open Division playoffs, which begin on Friday.
6. Modesto Christian (Modesto, Calif.) (22-3)
Last week: 6
Modesto Christian has won six games in a row. They play at No. 25 Lincoln this week on the road in a Tri-City Athletic League game.
7. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.) (25-2)
Last week: 7
Mater Dei has won ugly at times this season, but it’s led to a 25-2 record, undefeated Trinity League title and No. 6 seed in the Southern Section Open Division playoffs.
8. Damien (La Verne, Calif.) (26-2)
Last week: 9
Damien earned the No. 5 seed in the Southern Section Open Division playoffs after beating No. 13 Etiwanda 59-45 last week to earn a share of the Baseline League title.
9. Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.) (26-1)
Last week: 10
Clovis West fell to unranked Pleasant Valley on Dec. 28, but wins over San Joaquin Memorial and Clovis North as well as an overall record of 26-1 makes for a great resume.
10. Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.) (19-4)
Last week: 11
Notre Dame beat No. 4 Harvard-Westlake for the first time in the Matt Sargeant era on Jan. 7. The win ended up bolstering the Knights' resume enough to clinch a Southern Section Open Division playoff bid. Notre Dame is the No. 7 seed.
11. Riverside Poly (Riverside, Calif.) (25-2)
Last week: 12
Losing in an uncompetitive game (62-37) at home to No. 2 Corona Centennial on Jan. 24 ultimately cost the Bears a spot in the Open Division Southern Section playoffs. We still rank Poly ahead of Southern Section Open Division No. 8 Bishop Montgomery because the Bears beat No. 8 Damien (Open Division No. 5) earlier this season and Bishop Montgomery didn't play anyone that made the Southern Section Open Division this year.
12. Bishop Montgomery (Torrance, Calif.) (18-2)
Last week: 18
Bishop Montgomery swept No. 18 St. Bernard to win the Del Rey League title outright last week. Following their 47-44 victory over St. Bernard on Sunday, Bishop Montgomery received the No. 8 seed in the Southern Section Open Division playoffs. Winning the Del Rey League, a tough league, as well as having good size on the interior put the Knights ahead of other Open Division hopefuls No. 11 Poly and No. 13 Etiwanda.
13. Etiwanda (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) (20-6)
Last week: 8
Losing by double digits to Baseline League rival Damien (59-45) most likely ended up costing Etiwanda a spot in the Open Division playoffs. The Eagles will compete in Division 1. The bracket comes out on Tuesday.
14. Rolling Hills Prep (San Pedro, Calif.) (20-1)
Last week: 13
Rolling Hills Prep’s best win this season came against No. 15 Colony. Their loss was against No. 5 Crean Lutheran. They'll compete in the Division 1 Southern Section playoffs.
15. Colony (Ontario, Calif.) (23-2)
Last week: 14
The Titans two losses on the season have come against No. 14 Rolling Hills Prep 50-43 at the Classic at Damien and No. 13 Etiwanda 53-52 at the State Preview Classic. Colony will compete in the Division 1 Southern Section playoffs.
16. St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.) (19-8)
Last week: NR
The Braves return to the rankings this week because they've been on a tear. St. John Bosco took down No. 17 Santa Margarita 59-38 last week and have won four Trinity League games in a row to end the regular season. They'll compete in the Division 1 Southern Section playoffs.
17. Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) (19-3)
Last week: 15
Santa Margarita finished in second place in the Trinity League and will compete in the Division 1 Southern Section playoffs.
18. St. Bernard (Playa del Rey, Calif.) (16-6)
Last week: 18
St. Bernard lost to No. 12 Bishop Montgomery twice last week to finish second in the Del Rey League. They'll compete in the Division 1 Southern Section playoffs.
19. De La Salle (Concord, Calif.) (18-4)
Last week: 21
After losing multiple players due to COVID-19, De La Salle is healthy again and has won eight games in a row.
20. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) (16-4)
Last week: 20
Mitty looks like the favorite to win the West Catholic League. They're two games ahead of league No. 2 Archbishop Riordan in the loss column.
21. West Ranch (Santa Clarita, Calif.) (20-7)
Last week: 21
West Ranch will be another tough out in the Southern Section Division 1 playoffs after winning the Foothill League with a 12-0 record.
22. Heritage Christian (Northridge, Calif.) (21-4)
Last week: 23
Heritage Christian got revenge for an earlier defeat against Village Christian last week winning 57-44 to claim a share of the Olympic League title. The Warriors will compete in the Division 1 Southern Section playoffs.
23. St. Anthony (Long Beach, Calif.) (15-6)
Last week: 17
St. Anthony split two games with No. 12 Bishop Montgomery two weeks ago, but league defeats to Serra and No. 18 St. Bernard drop the Saints to No. 23 this week.
24. St. Joseph (Santa Maria, Calif.) (23-2)
Last week: 24
The Knights lone in state loss came against No. 22 Heritage Christian 54-52 in December.
25. Lincoln (Stockton, Calif.) (21-4)
Last week: NR
Lincoln debuts at No. 25 this week after falling to No. 3 Campolindo on a buzzer beater last week. The Trojans have shown that they can compete with anyone in the state this season. Lincoln hosts No. 6 Modesto Christian in a Tri-City Athletic League game on Wednesday.
