Top 25 California high school boys basketball CIF Southern Section preseason rankings

Harvard-Westlake, St. John Bosco, Corona Centennial and Eastvale Roosevelt will be the top programs to watch in 2023-24

Finally, it's November. That means it's basketball season.

The NBA has already tipped off, NCAA programs are playing exhibitions, and high school basketball in the CIF Southern Section begins Nov. 13.

SBLive will begin to roll out preseason boys basketball coverage over the next two weeks until opening night. Be on the lookout for lists with top players to watch, including, top freshmen and top sleepers poised for a breakout season.

For now, the coverage starts here with the preseason Top 25 rankings in the CIF Southern Section.

1. Harvard Westlake

Harvard-Westlake coach David Rebibo. (Tarek Fattal/SBLive)

Top players: Trent Perry, G, Sr. (USC); Robert Hinton, G, Sr. (Harvard); Nik Khamenia, F, Jr.

Quick note: The defending CIF State Open Division champions aren't satisfied, they're back in 2023-24 in search of the treble: section, regional and state crown.

League: Mission

2. St. John Bosco

Top players: Elzie Harrington, G, Jr.; Brandon McCoy, PG, So.; Kade Bonam, F, Jr.

Quick note: The Braves reached the CIF Southern Section Open Division final with an ultra-young team last year. They're all back. They're all bigger and better. Brandon McCoy has the makings to be the next 'guy' in SoCal.

League: Trinity

3. Corona Centennial

Top players: Eric Freeny, G, Sr. (UCLA); Carter Bryant, F, Sr. (Arizona); Isaiah Rogers, G, So.

Quick note: The Huskies are defending CIF Southern Section Open Division champions, but lost three big-time seniors in Jared McCain (Duke), Devin Williams (UCLA) and Aaron McBride (LMU). Transfer Carter Bryant is expected to be eligible immediately.

League: Big VIII

4. Eastvale Roosevelt

Roosevelt's Darnez Slater (right) is primed for a big senior year. (Tarek Fattal/SBLive)

Top players: Brayden Burries, G, Jr.; Issac Williamson, G, Jr.; Darnez Slater, G, Sr. (Colorado State)

Quick note: The Mustangs are pegged as an Open Division lock heading into the 2023-24 season. Burries, Williamson and Slater on the perimeter with forward Dominic Copenhagen and center Tochi Anigbogu inside, Roosevelt is a real contender.

League: Big VIII

5. Mater Dei

Top players: Brannon Martinsen, G/F, So.; Scotty Belnap, G, Sr.; Luke Barnett, G, So.

Quick note: The Monarchs are the defending CIF-SS Division 1 champions after missing the Open Division playoffs for the first time in program history since the field was berthed. Coach Gary McKnight is entering his 42nd year at the helm. The addition of Canyon/Anaheim transfer Brandon Benjamin bolsters an already talented group.

League: Trinity

6. JSerra

Top players: Sebastian Rancik, F, Sr. (Colorado); Aidan Fowler, PG, Sr.; Diego Martinez, G, Sr.

Quick note: A talented, veteran group with a lot of depth, according to coach Keith Wilkinson. The roster has five four-year seniors on it. Keep an eye out for two freshmen: guard Earl Bryson and forward Godschoice Eboigbodin.

League: Trinity

7. Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks

Top players: Mercy Miller, G, Sr. (Houston); Lino Mark, PG, Jr.; Zach White, G, So.

Quick note: The Knights are defending CIF State Division I champions. They lose Caleb Foster (Duke) and Dusty Stromer (Gonzaga), but add 6-foot-7 junior wing Bryce James to the fold.

League: Mission

8. Sierra Canyon

Sierra Canyon's Bryce Cofield (middle) is the team's top junior this season. (Tarek Fattal/SBLive)

Tarek Fattal/SBLive

Top players: Isaiah Elohim, G, Sr. (Arkansas); Justin Pippen, G, Sr.; Noah Williams, F, Sr.

Quick note: There's a re-vamped energy at Sierra Canyon with a major core of returners, including rising junior Bryce Cofield, along with two transfers Jordan Askew (from Corona Centennial) and Ethan Johnson (from Chaminade).

League: Mission

9. Santa Margarita

Top players: Cam McNamee, G, Sr. (Dartmouth); Jonathan Moxie, PG, Sr.; Dallas Washington, F/C, Jr.

Quick note: The Eagles have high expectations, and another Kyman - Brayden Kyman - who is only a sophomore. Coach Justin Bell expects the program to compete for a league title, a section crown and a state championship.

League: Trinity

10. Windward

Top players: Gavin Hightower, PG, Jr.; Jeremiah Hampton, G, Jr.; Louis Bond, G, Jr.

Quick note: Second-year coach DJ Gay has a promising, young team anchored by four juniors being recruited by NCAA Division I college programs in Hightower, Hampton, Bond and JJ Harris. Windward's guard play is very good, but its lack of size will be a challenge.

League: Gold Coast

11. Mira Costa

Mira Costa coach Neal Perlmutter has key returners in 2023-24. (Tarek Fattal/SBLive)

Top players: James Reach, G, Sr.; Preston Ezewiro, F, Jr.; Jacob De Armas, F, Jr.

Quick note: It's a well-oiled machine run by coach Neal Perlmutter, who claims his junior class is the best in SoCal in Ezewiro, De Armas, Eneasi Piuleini and Christian Kranz.

League: Bay

12. Damien

Top players: Nate Garcia, C, Jr.; Xavier Clinton, G, Sr.; Zaire Rasshan, G, Fr.

Quick note: Mike LeDuc is entering his 44th season as a head coach with the big fella, Nate Garcia, leading the way. The Spartans will be an Open Division fringe team all season long. Look for Jedidiah Wilfred to be an impact transfer from Etiwanda.

League: Baseline

13. St. Pius X/St. Matthias

Top players: Tyrone Riley, G, Sr.; Douglas Langford, F, Jr.; Tariq Bridges, G, Jr.

Quick note: St. Pius has a schedule that could put it in the Open Division conversation, depending on how they get through the slate. Newcomer David Mack from Fairfax and standout freshman Omari Cuffe will make the defending 3AA champions a team on the rise.

League: Del Rey

14. Heritage Christian

Top players: Dillan Shaw, F, Jr.; Tae Simmons, F, Jr.; Roman Fisher, G, Jr.

Quick note: The Warriors are young and talented. Coach Paul Tait is expected to have three freshman on roster, starring Josiah Nance, with Max Hackney and Djordan Hall.

League: Olympic

15. West Ranch

Top players: James Evans, F, Sr. (UNLV); Darrell Morris, PG, Sr.; Bishop Brooks, G, Sr.

Quick note: The Wildcats are coming off a historical season, earning an Open Division playoff berth last season. However, they lost Andrew Meadow (Boise State), Jazz Gardner (Nevada), Jaqari Miles (Montana State) and Isaiah Fields (Cal State LA). Tracy Bryden is a 6-foot-10 transfer from Faith Baptist that will have to adjust to a much higher level of play.

League: Foothill

16. Crean Lutheran

Crean Lutheran's Braeden Davidson is one to watch. (Tarek Fattal/SBLive)

Top players: Vyctorius Miller, G, Sr.; Kaiden Bailey, G, So.; Braeden Davidson, G, So.

Quick note: Miller is back, and the team might be better than his sophomore season. Other contributors include center Milanas Luksas, forward Jacob Majok, along with newcomers Troy Jenkins (from Sonora High), Arnez Reynolds (from AOSS Prep) and V’Elijah Miller (from Chandler, Ariz.). The Saints are eyeing an Open Division playoff berth.

League: Empire

17. St. Bernard

Top players: Tajh Ariza, F, So.; Kendyl Sanders, F, Sr.

Quick note: The Vikings return one of the top prospects in SoCal in Tajh Ariza, son of former NBA wing, Trevor Ariza. St. Bernard loses senior guard Tyler Rolison to graduation after winning 22 game last season.

League: Del Rey

18. Etiwanda

Top players: Amare Campbell, PG, Sr.; Carrington Pierce, G, Sr.; Chrisitan Harris, G, Sr.

Quick note: Defense, defense, defense. It's the trademark for the Eagles, and it will continue to be the foundation for second-year coach Daniel Ryan. Ryan says Jaidon Nassar will be a much-improved contributor.

League: Baseline

19. La Mirada

Top players: Julien Gomez, G, Jr.; MJ Smith, G, Jr.; Gene Roebuck, G/F, Fr.

Quick note: There is buzz surrounding this program, now it just needs to prove it. Gomez averaged 26 points per game last year. Smith is a do-it-all player. And keep an ear out for the diaper dandy, Roebuck, who coach Randy Oronoz claims, "is the best freshman I've seen in a long time."

League: Gateway

20. Rancho Cucamonga

Top players: Aaron Glass, G, Jr.; Chu Chu Osuji, G, Jr.; Tyler Pitts, F, Jr.

Quick note: The Cougars return eight from last year’s 23-8 team. Glass is the go-to player for Rancho, and will get help from Etiwanda transfer Michael Sinclair. This team is playing in SoCal’s top tournaments/showcases this year.

League: Baseline

21. Pacifica Christian/OC

Top players: EJ Spillman, G, Jr.; Alex Stewart, F, Sr.; Logan Stewart, F, Sr.

Quick note: The team lost eight seniors, a group that led Pacifica Christian to the Division II state final last season before falling to San Joaquin Memorial. Now, the lone-senior squad will look to a bevy of talented juniors and sophomores, led by coach Jeff Berokoff.

League: San Joaquin

22. Redondo Union

Top players: Devin Ringer, G, Sr.; SJ Madison, G, So.; Hudson Mayes, F, Jr.

Quick note: Reggie Morris likes his team to play with speed and tenacious defense. The SeaHawks also obtain the services of former City Section standout Tyler Hunt, a transfer from Venice High. Keep an eye out for freshman Chris Sanders.

League: Bay

23. Crossroads

Top players: Coco Britt, G, Jr.; Solo Bailey, G, Jr.; Aidan Croshere, F, Sr.

Quick note: Crossroads is the defending Gold Coast League champions and return a dynamic backcourt with Britt and Bailey. Junior forward EJ Vernon is on the rise. This team has the potential to fly up the rankings this season.

League: Gold Coast

24. St. Anthony

Top players: Quincy Phillips, G, Sr.; Jojo Wicker, G, So.; Amaan Zavahir, F, Sr.

Quick note: This squad has 11 returners. Coach Alan Mitchell is looking for Phillips and Wicker to take huge leaps forward on the floor this upcoming season. St. Anthony also has two new transfers in Aman Haynes  (from Lakewood) and Jared Lloyd Jr. (from Windward).

League: Del Rey

25. St. Francis

St. Francis' DeLan Grant (pictured) and wing Mazi Mosley are nice 1-2 punch. (Tarek Fattal/SBLive)

Top players: Mazi Mosley, G/F, Jr.; DeLan Grant, G, So.; Joe Hickey, F, Jr.

Quick note: Well known to be the toughest out in the Mission League, especially at home, coach Todd Wolfson enters year 17 as a head coach with an always-well prepared club. Wolfson is high on freshman Niko D’Angora for the Golden Knights.

League: Mission

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BUBBLE TEAMS

• Bishop Montgomery: Coach Doug Mitchell is one of the best.
• Colony: Joseph Riggins, Jackson Cain and newcomer Sebastian Webb.
• Crespi: Junior Peyton White will have a breakout year.
• Campbell Hall: New coach David Grace setting high expectations.
• Long Beach Poly: Junior guard Jovani Ruff is a high-level competitor.
• Lynwood: Everyone knows about Jason Crowe Jr..
• Rolling Hills Prep: Junior Mateo Trujillo and sophomore Kawika Suter are ones to watch.
• St. Bonaventure: Arguably the best team in Ventura County led by Dylan Benner.
• Thousand Oaks: Elias Chin, Trent MacLean, Noah Cotton.