Top 25 California High School boys basketball rankings (1/22/2024)
Another week, another new No. 1 in the carousel of California high school boys basketball rankings.
Mater Dei jumps up a spot to No. 1 to take the top spot for the first time in numerous years after last week's No. 1 Harvard-Westlake dropped two games, albeit tight games to powerhouses unbeaten Notre Dame Sherman Oaks (59-54) and one-loss Sierra Canyon (74-68).
Harvard-Westlake dropped three spots to No. 4 with the loss.
Notre Dame jumped four positions to No. 2 with the win and two more victories last week, while No. 3 Salesian-Richmond remained planted thanks to a tough 69-68 win over Arizona powerhouse Millennium at the Clash in the Valley Showcase.
Mater Dei, winners of 15 straight, joins Harvard-Westlake, Eastvale Roosevelt and St. John Bosco as previous state top-ranked teams. The Monarchs have more boys state titles (11) than anyone, three more than Crenshaw (eight). Mater Dei's last state crown, however, is 2014.
Two-time state champion Sierra Canyon moved up four spots to No. 4 after its impressive win over Harvard-Westlake thanks in part to 24 points from Justin Pippen, son of NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippin.
The biggest riser in this week’s rankings is Riordan (12-4) which vaulted all the way from honor mention to No. 6 following a 69-58 victory Saturday over previous No. 4 Corona Centennial at the Crush in the Valley (see below).
Riordan has picked up steam since recovering fully from injuries and adding eligibility of three rotational players, the last of whom is 6-10 Nes Emeneke, who gives the Crusaders some much needed length down low to compliment 6-8 Zion Sensley, who was dominant again Saturday with 24 points.
Another addition to the rankings is No. 24 Branson-Ross, which also impressed at the Crush with a wire-to-wire 20-point win over previous No. 23 Monterey Trail (86-66). Despite six losses, the Bulls were an easy choice considering they’ve played one of the toughest schedules in the state and feature the brilliant backcourt of Illinois-signee Jase Butler and Semitri Carr, who combined for 41 points, 11 rebounds, 13 assists and seven steals against Monterey Trail.
Branson junior guard Semitri Carr had a game-high 26 points in a 86-66 win over Monterey Trail on Saturday.
Photo: Greg Jungferman
There were multiple big showdowns at the State Preview Classic, highlighted by No. 8 Roosevelt’s 59-54 win over No. 12 St. Pius X, Notre Dame’s 63-51 win over Crean Lutheran and Mater Dei’s 91-80 victory over Campbell Hall. See roundup below:
One final Southern California showcase before the playoffs is Friday and Saturday at Mater Dei in the Nike Extravaganza. SEE SCHEDULE
The only game pitting two ranked teams is San Diego Section power and No. 18 St. Augustine vs. No. 14 JSerra Catholic at 5 p.m. Other ranked teams playing Saturday are No. 1 Mater Dei, No. 5 Harvard-Westlake and No. 8 Roosevelt.
