SBLive's Central Section Top 10 boys basketball rankings: Clovis West solidifies No. 2 spot

In front of a standing room only crowd, the much-anticipated rematch between Clovis North and Clovis West was taken by the Golden Eagles, turning a slight 31-28 halftime lead into a comfortable 64-51 win to even the season series at one a piece.

Senior guard Issac Martinez scored all 18 of his points in the second half and junior Zach Chauhan chipped in with 14.

With the win, Clovis West cements itself as the No. 2 team and Clovis North is a solid No. 3.

And the top team in the section, St. Joseph kept the pedal to the metal and beat three league opponents in dominating fashion; 86-16 over Cabrillo, 116-41 over Pioneer Valley and flew past RIghetti.

Two teams who are playing their best basketball of the season are No. 4 San Joaquin Memorial and No. 5 Bakersfield Christian. The Panthers scored league wins over Bullard (76-57) and Edison (90-70) and Bakersfield beat previous No. 4 Centennial 69-63.

No. 6 Centennial defeated No. 7 Stockdale 52-51 in league and based on recent performances, we had to drop the Golden Hawks and elevate the Eagles from Bakersfield Christian to No. 5.

Mission Prep (which still has a game with St. Joseph on Feb. 7), Clovis East (which plays both Clovis North and Clovis West this week at home) and Lemoore (which won 64-63 over a depleted Bakersfield Christian team) round out the section’s Top 10.

1. St. Joseph (18-5)

Last week: 1

Results (3-0): Beat Cabrillo 86-16, Pioneer Valley 116-41 and Righetti 98-43

Next game: Wednesday at Lompoc (11-9)

2. Clovis West (23-2)

Last week: 2

Results (2-0): Beat Clovis 85-50, Clovis North 64-51

Next game: Tuesday at Central (7-17)

3. Clovis North (19-6)

Last week: 3

Results (2-0): Beat Buchanan 54-37; lost to Clovis West 64-51

Next game: Tuesday at Clovis East (15-9)

4. San Joaquin Memorial

Last week: 5.

Results (2-0): Beat Bullard 76-57, Edison 90-70

Next game: Wednesday at Sanger (15-9)

5. Bakersfield Christian (17-7)

Last week: 8

Results (3-0): Beat Independance 74-65, Bakersfield 82-63, Centennial 69-63

Next game: Tuesday vs Ridgeview (16-6)

6. Centennial (20-4)

Last week: 4.

Results (2-1): Beat Frontier 80-53, Stockdale 52-51; lost to Bakersfield Christian 69-63

Next game: Thursday vs. Liberty (12-11)

7. Stockdale (21-3)

Last week: 7.

Results (2-0): Beat Garces 64-53; lost to Centennial 52-51

Next game: Tuesday vs Liberty (12-11)

8. Mission Prep (16-7)

Last week: 8.

Results (4-0): Beat Cabrillo 66-52, Pioneer Valley 95-49, Atascadero 76-58, Cabrillo 68-31

Next game: Wednesday vs Righetti (10-11)

9. Clovis East (15-9)

Last week: 9.

Results (2-0): Beat Central 81-59, Buchanan 67-43

Next game: Tuesday vs. Clovis North (16-9)

10. Lemoore (17-6)

Last week: 10.

Results (2-0): Beat Hanford 51-45, Tulare Union 69-42

Next game: Wednesday vs Mission Oak (4-20)