This week’s Orange County high school boys basketball rankings.
Notable this week: Santa Margarita and JSerra move up to No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, after strong showings in the Tarkanian Classic last week in Las Vegas. … Canyon, the preseason No. 1 team, dropped to No. 5 this week as injuries have taken a toll on the team. … Aliso Niguel rises to No. 20 after not being ranked last week.
BOYS BASKETBALL TOP 25
(Records through Tuesday, Dec. 27)
1. Mater Dei 9-2: The Monarchs lost to West Ranch, No. 1 in MaxPreps’ California rankings, by five points in the Platinum Division of the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas. They also defeated Mira Costa by 10 points on the first day of the Desert Holiday Classic in Rancho Mirage as Zach Davidson scored 36 points with 10 rebounds.
Previous ranking: 1
2. Santa Margarita 13-2: The Eagles won the championship of the Nike Division in the Tarkanian Classic. They lost to American Fork (Utah) in the first round of The Classic at Damien’s Platinum Division on Tuesday.
Previous ranking: 4
3. JSerra 12-1: Junior forward Sebastian Rancik impressed observers at the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas as the Lions went 3-1 in the Nike Division. They opened the Holiday Classic at Torrey Pines with a win over Archbishop Mitty, No. 3 in MaxPreps’ California rankings, in the tournament’s elite National Division.
Previous ranking: 3
4. Fairmont Prep 11-2: The Huskies lost to Moreau Catholic by 22 points in a pool-play game to start the Desert Holiday Classic at Rancho Mirage.
Previous ranking: 5
5. Canyon 11-2: The injury-stung Comanches lost to Liberty (Nevada) 85-68 in first round of The Classic at Damien’s elite Platinum Division.
Previous ranking: 2
6. Orange Lutheran 8-4: The Lancers lost to Mayfair in a nonleague game, defeated Aquinas in first round of Silver Division play in The Classic at Damien.
Previous ranking: 6
7. Tesoro 13-2: The Titans defeated Cypress 69-59 in the Orange County North/South Challenge, got 21 points from Carson Brown in a 74-47 win over Westmont in first round of the Tustin Classic.
Previous ranking: 7
8. Pacifica Christian 9-5: The Tritons have lost three of their past four, all to good teams, including a 68-58 loss to San Joaquin Memorial in The Classic at Damien’s Gold Division first round Tuesday.
Previous ranking: 8
9. Orangewood Academy 11-3: The Spartans, averaging 74 points a game, cruised to a 58-point win over Anaheim in the Anaheim Colony Classic tournament Tuesday.
Previous ranking: 9
10. Foothill 12-1: The Knights extended their winning streak to seven games with a 66-57 win over Del Norte in the Senator Division of The Holiday Classic at Torrey Pines after beating San Clemente in the O.C. North/South Challenge.
Previous ranking: 10
11. Los Alamitos 10-4
Previous ranking: 11
12. Crean Lutheran 8-5
Previous ranking: 12
13. Capistrano Valley 10-3
Previous ranking: 13
14. Sonora 11-4
Previous ranking: 18
15. La Habra 11-4
Previous ranking: 15
16. Edison 9-6
Previous ranking: 16
17. Fountain Valley 10-5
Previous ranking: 17
18. Villa Park 9-5
Previous ranking: 19
19. Trabuco Hills 10-6
Previous ranking: 20
20. Aliso Niguel 9-5
Previous ranking: Not ranked
21. Dana Hills 12-3
Previous ranking: 22
22. Portola 9-6
Previous ranking: 14
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Orange County girls basketball Top 25: Portola breaks into the Top 10, Dec. 28
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Orange County girls athlete of the week: Emily Eadie, Sage Hill
Albano’s Fab 5: Orange County girls basketball standouts last week, Dec. 20
23. Newport Harbor 11-4
Previous ranking: 24
24. Mission Viejo 8-6
Previous ranking: 21
25. Sunny Hills 13-3
Previous ranking: 25
