Top 10 Central Section boys basketball rankings (1/2/2024)
Now that the merry time of Christmas is in the rearview mirror, hope begins anew for 2024 and basketball in the Central Section.
Three teams each from the TRAC and CMAC are represented in the Top 10, with other schools on the bubble.
St. Joseph has earned the top spot with an impressive start to the season with one of the top players in the state in Tounde Yessoufou. Not so far behind is Clovis West at 15-3 and their non-stop pressure.
Clovis North and star guard Connor Amundsen hasn’t shied away from a tough schedule and a talented Centennial squad round out the top four.
1. St. Joseph (12-1)
The defending Central Section D1 champs and CIF State Open finalist haven’t skipped a beat this season, going 6-1 in holiday tournaments with their only loss a 68-48 setback to nationally ranked Gonzaga Prep of Washington D.C. They are led by 6-foot-6 junior Tounde Yessoufou, who averages 35 ppg and 10 rebounds, and sophomore Julius Price’s 22 ppg and six assists per game. Yessoufou is ranked the No. 16 recruit nationally by 247Sports for the class of 2025.
Next game: Jan. 5 home against Pasadena
2. Clovis West (15-3)
The Golden Eagles started off the year winning ten straight but dropped three in a row in the top division at the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas. However, the Vance Walberg led squad responded with wins over Arizona’s #4 ranked team Brophy Prep, Pinnacle, and Valley Christian. 6-foot-9 Bishop Gorman transfer Chris Baudreai has filled a much needed void and fellow junior D.J. Stickman can do it all. Seniors Zach Chauhan and Jackson Young are reliable scorers.
Next game: Jan. 9 home against Central
3. Clovis North (10-5)
After an opening season 79-39 loss to Sierra Canyon the Broncos have played solid basketball, recently winning the Mission Prep Christmas Classic and going 2-2 in the Classic at Damien’s platinum division. They hung tough against state power St. John Bosco in a loss and two days later senior guard Connor Amundsen broke the school record with 42 points in a 71-66 loss to Winward. Senior Jordan Espinosa is a Swiss Army Knife and Loukas Jones is a very capable shooter and scorer.
Next game: Jan. 4 vs Mountain House
4. Centennial (11-5)
The Golden Hawks won the 3rd Annual Dave Morehead Invitational by defeating cross town rival Liberty 78-65 then competed in San Diego at the Gold Crown Tournament and went 3-2. Senior Rippen Gill averages 20 ppg and 8 rebounds and guard Michael Gonzalez averages 15. They take on Bakersfield Christian on Jan. 23 in a great league matchup.
Next game: Jan. 6 at Fresno Christian.
5. San Joaquin Memorial (9-6)
The Panthers have had an up and down season going 1-3 in the Classic at Damien, losing to Auburn of Washington, Rancho Verde of Moreno Valley, and Valencia. However, they have quality wins over Bakersfield Christian (84-59) and Buchanan (52-49). Junior Julius Olanrewajuis is the team’s main scoring threat, junior guard Abram Potts is solid and sophomores Parker Spees and Sajjin Sadhu bring energy and all-around play.
Next game: Jan. 3 at Garces.
6. Bakersfield Christian (7-8)
The Eagles have played a rigorous schedule, playing in the Clovis West Nike Invitational–losing to Inkerkum and San Joaquin Memorial–and traveling to Arizona for the Vista Mesa Basketball Challenge. Guards Gabe Gutierrez and Bentley Waller can score in the mid 20s on any given night and are one of the top duos in the section.
Next game: Jan. 6 at home against Folsom.
7. Bullard (11-6)
The Knights fared well at the Mission Prep Christmas Classic going 2-2 and in the Modesto Christian Holiday Hoop Classic placing 5th in a comeback win over Clovis East. Sophomore Ja’Vance Colman and seniors Jaleen Jackson and Kyshawn Johnson form a strong three. The team is now at full strength with two impact transfers now eligible in Dalen Felder (who led the TRAC in scoring at 20 ppg as a freshman) and Sean Smith-Sharkey.
Next game: Jan. 3 at Hoover.
8. Clovis East (11-5)
The Timberwolves prefer to play out of town before league begins and they fared well, taking the Consolation Game in the BallerTV Division at the Tarkanian Classic and going 2-2 at the Modesto Christian Holiday Hoops Classic, losing to Bullard 56-53 in a game they led 38-22 at half. Seniors Jeremy Pierro and McKay Olson are their top players. They open up TRAC play against Clovis West and Clovis North.
Next game: Jan. 6 at Sanger
9. Edison (8-7)
Don’t overlook the Tigers, who took 2nd place at the Lloyd Williams Shootout at North Bakersfield and lost in OT to Seattle Prep in the consolation game at the Damian Lillard Classic at Oakland High School. Senior Va’Ron Mitchell averages 18 ppg and Ray Brown chips in with 10. They open up CMAC play at home against San Joaquin Memorial.
Next game: Jan. 6 home against Sierra
10. Arroyo Grande (14-5)
The defending Central Section D2 champs have won three tournaments this year including the Atascadero Christmas Classic and the Jim Bayshore Holiday Cage Classic in Carpinteria. Two of their five losses are to Clovis West and Clovis East. They have two dates with No.1 St. Joseph in league: on Jan. 23 on the road and Feb. 9 at home.
Next game: Jan. 9 home against San Luis Obispo
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