SBLive’s LA City Section Top 10 Boys Basketball Rankings: Taft ends regular season No. 1
Here’s a look at the top boys high school basketball teams in the LA City Section with the playoffs beginning later this week. SBLive’s LA City Section high school boys basketball rankings are compiled by SBLive California reporter Connor Morrissette and are released every Monday throughout the 2021-22 season.
Editor’s note: SBLive creates our own LA City rankings. They differ from the City Section's playoff seedings that were released last weekend.
SBLIVE LA CITY SECTION TOP 10 BOYS BASKETBALL RANKINGS
February 14, 2021
1. Taft (16-5)
Last week: 2
The Toreadors finish the regular season at No. 1 after finishing tied atop the West Valley League. Taft beat No. 9 El Camino Real 66-45 on Feb. 4.
2. Fairfax (13-6)
Last week: 6
Fairfax beating No. 3 Venice in overtime last week vaults the Lions up to No. 2.
3. Venice (17-8)
Last week: 1
Venice fell to No. 7 Palisades on a controversial buzzer beater last week and then lost to No. 2 Fairfax in overtime, which drops the Gondoliers to No. 3.
4. Birmingham (16-7)
Last week: 5
Birmingham beat No. 1 Taft in West Valley League play but lost to No. 9 El Camino Real.
5. Narbonne (16-9)
Last week: 3
Narbonne split their two games with No. 6 Gardena this season.
6. Gardena (22-6)
Last week: 4
Gardena beat No. 5 Narbonne on Jan. 19, but then lost to the Gauchos on Feb. 4 in overtime. The Panthers didn't qualify for the Open Division in the LA City Section. They're the No. 2 seed in Division 1.
7. Palisades (10-8)
Last week: 7
Palisades is one of the City's hottest teams having won six of their last seven games. The Dolphins will take on 9 King/Drew in the Open Division playoffs this week.
8. King/Drew (18-10)
Last week: 9
Kalib LaCount scored 59 points in a win over Dorsey last week. He’s one of the favorites for City Section Player of the Year. King/Drew lost to Westchester 56-53 on Dec. 28, but the Golden Eagles are undefeated against City teams since.
9. Grant (19-9)
Last week: NR
Grant finished the season tied atop the East Valley League. Last week, the Lancers fell to No. 4 Birmingham 75-72. Grant qualified for the Division 1 playoffs as the No. 3 seed.
10. El Camino Real (11-13)
Last week: 9
El Camino Real went 4-1 in West Valley League play, which included a win over No. 4 Birmingham. The Royals lost to No. 2 Taft 66-45 on Feb. 4. January defeats against No. 8 King/Drew and No. 9 Grant keep ECR at No. 10 this week, but the Royals did qualify for the Open Division playoffs. They'll play Fairfax on Friday.
