Biggest upset victim in the first week of the playoffs is Los Alamitos, which is now gone after being as high as No. 8 in the state. Highest-ranked newcomer is St. Francis of Mountain View.

By Ronnie Flores, Senior Editor

(Contributing: Mark Tennis, Steve Brand, Paul Muyskens, Harold Abend; Through games of Saturday, February 21; previous rating in parentheses)

1. Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 28-0 (1)
As expected the, the Monarchs opened the post-season as the No. 1 seed in the rugged CIF Southern Section Div. I-AA playoffs. Their first opponent was sub .500 foe San Clemente and for the first time all season, the Monarchs trailed at halftime, 28-26. They got the message that they had a game to play at halftime and eventually went on to record a 75-48 victory. Junior guard Gary Franklin led four Monarchs in double figures with 27 points. There was no letdown in the second round against 18-10 Upland, as the nation's top-ranked team jumped out to a 22-point halftime lead and cruised 85-52 behind as Franklin again led the way with 24 points. In their next game, the Monarchs will take on McDonald's All-American Mike Snaer and his team at Rancho Verde of Moreno Valley. Was the Upland game a sign of things to come? Or was it the wake-up call Mater Dei needed to navigate its way though the playoffs?

2. De La Salle (Concord) 25-1 (2)
The Spartans closed out their regular season with two more solid defensive performances in victories over San Ramon Valley of Danville (71-49) and California of San Ramon (47-23) to complete an unblemished East Bay Athletic League slate. Cal-bound Brandon Smith led the way with 19 points, nine assists and nine steals in the win over SRV and for the seventh time this season DLS held an opponent under 25 points against Cal-Hi. Frank Allocco's club has a bye in the first round of the North Coast Section Div. I playoffs and will play a quarterfinal contest on Friday against either San Ramon Valley or James Logan of Union City.

3. Fairfax (Los Angeles) 24-3 (3)
The Lions, the No. 2 seed in the L.A. City Section playoffs, opened the post-season with a ho-hum 91-52 victory over West Adams Prep as five players reached double figures. Six-foot-3 junior guard Jordan Weathers led the way with 25 points. The big news off Melrose Avenue this week, of course, was Sunday's announcement that center Renardo Sidney, the No. 5 ranked player in the ESPNU 100, will play his college ball at USC. Similar to O.J. Mayo, the EA SPORTS National Player of the Year, we will be surprised if Sidney spends more than one season on Figueroa. Sidney and company will take on 20-7 Washington of Los Angeles in Tuesday's quarterfinal matchup. A win there and it's a likely matchup with West Region ranked Taft of Woodland Hills on Friday at the Galen Center, Sidney's future home.

4. Westchester (Los Angeles) 27-2 (4)
The Comets wanted to send a message that they indeed deserved to be the No. 1 seed in the L.A. City Section as they roasted Carson, 80-35, in the opening round. Westchester forced 19 turnovers as the Colts had trouble with Westchester's trapping and pressing. Guards Dominique O'Connor and Jordin Mayes combined for 28 points for coach Ed Azzam's club, which will take on 17-8 Fremont of Los Angeles in Tuesday's quarterfinal contest.

5. McClymonds (Oakland) 22-1 (5)
It appears the fourth-quarter benching by Coach Brandon Brooks of his five starters in the Oakland Tech game two weeks ago got the message across and paid dividends last week. The results were 82-52 and 74-50 victories over Fremont and Skyline, respectively. In the Skyline game, Will Cherry came within one rebound of a quadruple-double, tallying 19 points, 10 assists, 11 steals and nine rebounds as the host Warriors dominated the Titans, who came into the game in second place in the Oakland Athletic League. Cherry came out with 3:31 remaining and the Warriors leading 70-40. Although Brooks was more upbeat when he talked to CalHiSports.com over the weekend, there is still some lingering problems. Mack lost senior forward Damon Powell for Tuesday's regular season finale against Castlemont. After committing a hard foul in the fourth quarter, Powell (13 points) had words with a referee, made a show of untucking his jersey at midcourt, and was ejected. "What I did (at Oakland Tech) got their attention,” said Brooks. "Now we need to stay focused going into the playoffs and NorCals.”

6. Martin Luther King (Riverside) 24-2 (6)
For the Wolves, it was two completely different games last week as they crushed out-manned Downey, 61-39, before rallying to down Wilson (Long Beach), 71-64 in the CIFSS tough I-AA playoffs. That makes it 15 straight wins heading into their showdown with a 25-win Redlands team that is playing its best ball of the season. MLK got two solid games from Kawhi Leonard, who tossed in 20 points against Downey and 22 versus Wilson, igniting a rally from being down 44-38 to up by 11. The Wolves, who have only lost to Centennial (Corona) in the state, got 15 points from Taylor Cunningham, but defensively did not seem to have an answer for Mike (The Beast) Wilder, who finished his season with 28 points.  

7. Dominguez (Compton) 24-5 (7)
Head coach Duane Cooper's team opened the CIF Southern Section Division I-AA playoffs with a pair of blowout wins over Inland Empire foes Miller of Fontana and Hesperia. Keala King led the San Gabriel Valley League champions with 19 points as the Dons opened up the postseason with a 93-63 win over Miller. Dominick LaCoste and Myron Green each had 12 points in the win. Next, Dominguez took the sting out of the Scorpions as they picked up an 86-48 second round win. Cooper told us that the kids on his team are really looking forward to the next game against Poly since both sides know each other really well.

8. Etiwanda (Rancho Cucamonga) 24-4 (9)
This team inched up a spot after collecting a pair of wins that were radically different in the Southern Section I-AA. As expected in a first-round game, the Eagles rolled past Lakewood of the Moore League, 78-37, opening a 60-21 lead after three quarters. Perris Blackwell, Deronn Scott and Christian Katuala again led the way. But it was a different story when Etiwanda found Dana Hills (Dana Point) a more than worthy opponent. Etiwanda went on an 18-9 run in the second quarter and then kept the Dolphins at arm's length the rest of the way. Next up for the Eagles, who have run their winning streak to 12 games, is Lynwood, which upset Los Alamitos 70-69, and is led by Keon Pledger, who scored 33 points in that victory.

9. Taft (Woodland Hills) 23-3 (10)
Talk about your contrasts. Gardena offered little resistance as the Toreadors went on a 104-39 rampage in their opening L.A. City playoff game. Michael Williams (27 points) and Justin Hawkins (19) led the way as all 14 players saw action after Taft led 24-0 and 67-11 at the break. "We're playing our best basketball of the season,” said coach Derrick Taylor. The road ahead has a major barrier in traditional L. A. City powerhouse Crenshaw, which has won 12 straight games after a slow start. There is no question that Taylor's club has played a much more difficult schedule than Crenshaw and getting the Cougars at home is a huge advantage. Winners of 18 of their last 19 games, defensive-minded Taft can't be caught looking ahead to a much-anticipated semifinal match in the Galen Center, probably against the Renardo Sidney-led Fairfax Lions.

10. Folsom 26-1 (11)
The Bulldogs concluded Delta River League play undefeated at 10-0 after wins over Monterey Trail of Elk Grove and Jesuit of Carmichael. It may have been the last regular season home game for the seniors but it was sophomore Kori Babineaux who led the way for the Bulldogs as he shot over 50 percent from the floor and was perfect from the free-throw line for a team-high 22 points in the 62-52 win over the Mustangs. Folsom had a slow start against the Marauders as it trailed 11-6 after the first quarter before coming back and taking a 26-24 lead into halftime on the way to the 68-49 victory. Patrick Akins was one of three Bulldogs to score in double figures as he scored 14 points. As expected, Folsom has earned the No. 1 seed in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoffs and will open at home Friday against the winner of Fairfield Armijo versus Modesto Johansen.

11. San Leandro 23-3 (12)
There was only the one game last week for the Pirates and it was a 49-42 win over HAAL rival Bishop O'Dowd Feb. 17 at Chabot College. Jared Cunningham turned in a typically steady game, scoring at least four points in each quarter and finishing with a game-high 18 points. Now comes the much-anticipated North Coast Section Division I playoffs where San Leandro has a legitimate chance to make some real noise. Coach Sean MacKays's Pirates snagged the second seed and after a bye have a Feb. 27 home contest against the winner of the Granada (Livermore) at Pittsburg first-round contest on Tuesday.

12. Diamond Ranch (Pomona) 24-4 (13)
Two more wins makes it 11 straight for the Panthers. A season-high 22 points and six assists by junior Malcolm Green helped Diamond Ranch waltz past Magnolia of Anaheim but it was a different story on Friday when Fullerton controlled the tempo and kept it close in a 41-38 loss. Diamond Ranch turned to 6-10 Santa Clara signee Chris Cunningham, who responded with 15 points and 11 rebounds. The Panthers trailed early, took control in the second quarter and protected the lead until the finish. Next up is Gahr (Cerritos), a team coach Loren Grover compares to Serra (Gardena), which handed the Panthers one of their setbacks early in the season. It was later avenged. At least the Panthers get Serra at home, where they are undefeated this year.

13. Rocklin 26-2 (15)
Head coach Steve Taylor's team thundered its way to a perfect end of the regular season with comfortable road wins over Nevada Union of Grass Valley and Del Oro of Loomis to finish a perfect 12-0 in Sierra Foothill League action. Brendan Lane seemed to be right at home in Grass Valley as he scored 33 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a 73-54 victory as 10 different Thunder players put the ball in the basket at least once. Rocklin then had an even easier team defeating the Golden Eagles in their regular season finale as they returned home with the 78-45 win. It was no surprise when the Thunder earned the top seed in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoffs and opens at home on Wednesday against 16th seeded Valley of Sacramento. With a win over Valley, they would then play host to the winner of Manteca and Oak Ridge with a trip to ARCO Arena in Sacramento for the next round on the line.

14. Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) 24-3 (16)
With a first-round bye in the CIF Southern Section Division IV-A playoffs, the Knights, as the top seed, got plenty of time to rest before they faced St. Francis of La Canada in the second round. With all that time between games, they looked a bit rusty once they got back on the floor but battled through the struggles for a 67-59 win. Brandon Bibbins was one of four Knights in double-figure scoring with a team-high 13 points. Richard Solomon nearly had a double-double for the victors with nine points and eight rebounds. Up next will be a 20-7 Atascadero squad, which defeated Cabrillo of Lompoc and Tustin last week.

15. Berkeley 23-3 (17)
The Yellowjackets coasted home in their final Alameda Contra Costa League game with a 75-44 home win versus Hercules. Mark Samuels and B.T. Shabazz had 10 points apiece in the victory. Berkeley moves on to the NCS D1 playoffs where it is the fifth seed. In those playoffs, the Yellowjackers will open at home on Feb. 24 against Freedom of Oakley. It's been a long time since they have gone deep into the playoffs and this year won't be any easier. As a fifth seed, they don't get a bye and if they win their first game, Newark Memorial (Newark) looms before a possible date with De La Salle in the semis.  

16. Leuzinger (Lawndale) 23-5 (18)
The Olympians started the CIF Southern Section Division II-AA postseason with a blowout victory over Servite of Anaheim and a double-digit win over Canyon Springs of Moreno Valley. The Olympians led 23-13 after a quarter of play before dominating in the second quarter, outscoring the Friars 30-7 for a 53-20 halftime lead. Jerry Evans scored a team best 13 points as 12 players scored at least two points in the 86-38 victory. Delon Wright then scored 17 points while dishing out eight assists and stole six passes in a second round 84-68 win over the Cougars. Donley Minor and Jerry Evans each scored 15 points while Evans led the team with 11 rebounds. Leuzinger next faces Valencia on Tuesday after the Vikings were able to defeat Troy and then defeated Katella of Anaheim by just one point to survive the first week of postseason play.

17. Eisenhower (Rialto) 25-3 (20)
Most coaches hate a first round bye, especially if they're healthy and playing well. But the Eagles certainly didn't look like it bothered them as they buried Santa Barbara, 75-42, in the second round of the CIFSS II-A playoffs. It was too much Bock for the Dons as Creighton-bound senior Andrew scored 24 points, 15 on long-range threes, and his junior brother, Bryan, added 16 points as the Eagles outscored Santa Barbara 37-16 in the middle two quarters. SB's Roberto Nelson scored 22-the rest of the Dons 20. Next up for Eisenhower is Loara (Anaheim), which had a nice 68-66 win over Summit (Fontana) and earlier this season posted a 10-game winning streak.

18. St. Francis (Mountain View) 22-2 (NR)
The Lancers jump back into the rankings and replace the Sacred Heart Cathedral team they beat 70-66 in the West Catholic Athletic League playoff championship. Senior Shawn Grant scored 25 points, including the go-ahead basket, leading the Lancers to a thrilling victory over round-robin champion SHC on Saturday night at a packed Foothill College in Los Altos Hills. The night before in a 63-62 victory over Bellarmine that earned the date with the Irish, it was Grant again who hit a go-ahead three-pointer as the clock shot expired with 57 seconds left that put the Lancers ahead for good. Grant finished with 15 points and Tyler Johnson had 20 points and 10 rebounds for St. Francis, which trailed 38-32 after the first half. As expected, the Lancers received the top-seed in the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs and after a double bye open on Saturday at Foothill College in the quarterfinals.  

19. Sacramento 20-6 (NR)
Sophomore guard Josiah Turner showed why he's one of the top ranked guards around as the Arizona State-committed sensation scored a game-high 22 points in the Dragons' lone game last week. Travan Abraham and Denzel Pruitt each scored 15 points while Chase Tapley rounded out the double-digit scorers by the Dragons with 10 points as they defeated McClatchy 73-28. As usual, they are seeded No. 1 in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoffs and will open the postseason hosting Weston Ranch of Stockton on Wednesday. With an expected win, the top-seeded Dragons would then play host on Friday to the winner of the Lincoln versus River City matchup.

20. Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley) 24-5 (NR)
Two nice wins last week over Paramount and Jordan of Long Beach have the Mustangs riding into the rankings in the final spot. It's safe to say that if Jordan had won that game, especially after winning the Moore League title, that it would be in this spot instead. Michael Snaer, a cinch for the all-state team, pouted in 31 points against Jordan with Kyle Fuller adding 16 points. Rancho's stay in the rankings could be brief since the next game in the CIFSS Div. I-AA playoffs is against top-ranked Mater Dei. Despite that, this is a team that has done enough to warrant a top 20 salute at least for one week. Even a close game vs. MD could end up pushing RV back up into the final top 20 rankings.

Dropped Out: Previous No. 8 Los Alamitos; No. 14 Murrieta Valley (Murrieta); No. 17 Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco).

On the Bubble: Clovis East (Clovis) 24-5, Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 23-5, Redlands 25-3.

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