Westchester and M.L. King move up to the No. 1 and No. 2 slots with Mater Dei dropping down to No. 3. Monte Vista of Danville is another team on a rapid rise.

By Ronnie Flores, Senior Editor

(Contributing: Mark Tennis, Steve Brand, Paul Muyskens, Harold Abend; through games of Saturday, March 7; previous rating in parentheses)

1. Westchester (Los Angeles) 30-2 (3)
The Comets are now the top-ranked team in California in the aftermath of Mater Dei's loss in the CIF Southern Section playoffs, De La Salle's stunning loss in the CIF North Coast Section semifinals and their own 60-55 victory over Taft of Woodland Hills in the L.A. City Section finals. In a seesaw battle, Westchester survived by out hustling the Toreadors to loose balls and making more free throws down the stretch. Although sparkplug point guard Dominique O'Connor didn't have his best game offensively (eight points, six turnovers), other guards such as Jordin Mayes and Kareem Jamar stepped up and made big shots. Although the Comets naturally slide into the state's top ranking, they drew the No. 2 seed in the SoCal Div. I Regional playoffs behind the Martin Luther King team that downed Mater Dei. The Comets will open on Monday against 22-8 CIF Central Section Div. I runner-up Central of Fresno.

2. Martin Luther King (Riverside) 27-2 (5)
A few media scribes at the Honda Center commented on how "everyone" thought the Wolves had no chance against the nation's top-ranked team in the CIF Southern Section Div. I-AA finals. King, however, is well-coached, has played and beaten tough competition all season long, moved into the state top five last week and have been nationally-ranked in the ESPN RISE FAB 50 virtually the entire season, so the outcome shouldn't be that surprising. How the Wolves defeated Mater Dei, with a 15-0 run at the beginning of the fourth quarter without a point from Kawhi Leonard, was surprising but not King's 71-56 victory. With the win, coach Tim Sweeney Jr.'s club was awarded the top seed in the SoCal Div. I regional playoffs and will open against 20-8 L.A. City Section semifinalist Cleveland of Reseda.

3. Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 30-1 (1)
In the loaded CIF Southern Section Div. I-AA playoffs, the Monarchs actually found some trouble even before succumbing to a highly-motivated King of Riverside squad, as Rancho Verde of Moreno Valley gave them all they could handle and even San Clemente gave the Monarchs fits in the first half of that opening round game. Not having glue man Andy Brown finally caught up to the Monarchs as fifth starter Connor Hughes and the rest of the Monarchs' role players were only able to muster six points in the 71-56 loss to King. The Monarchs, with Brown, were unquestionably one of the best teams in the nation and can't drop too far since they still deserve credit for their overall resume, which includes a tournament victory at the City of Palms Tournament in Florida where Westchester suffered one of its two defeats against a team Mater Dei defeated in the title game. Mater Dei grabbed the No. 3 seed in the SoCal Div. I regional playoffs and will open against 25-7 CIFSS Div. I-A semifinalist Chino Hills.

4. McClymonds (Oakland) 26-1 (4)
The defending CIF Div. I state champions secured the top seed in the NorCal Div, I regional playoffs by defeating Skyline of Oakland, 73-56, in the Oakland Section title game. The Warriors led the entire way and received a combined 42 points from perimeter gem Will Cherry and inside dynamo Damon Powell. Mack doesn't move up in these ratings and still is behind Mater Dei because of its January loss to De La Salle of Concord. And with DLS out of the NorCal playoffs, Mack also won't have the chance to avenge that defeat this week. The Warriors open the regionals on Tuesday against the winner of the Elk Grove Franklin vs. San Francisco Lincoln play-in game that takes place Monday night.

5. Taft (Woodland Hills) 25-4 (6)
Taft coach Derrick Taylor was adamant about a perceived slight to his team's credentials after its five-point loss to Westchester in the L.A. City Section title game. "Westchester didn't play their best because we had something to do with that," Taylor remarked. "We're not an after thought...Every game we lost this year was to a very good team." Taft's losses to Leuzinger of Lawndale and Bishop Montgomery of Torrance don't help them right now, but splitting with Etiwanda, dominating Fairfax in its section semifinal victory and losing to Westchester by five points drives Taylor's point home. The Toreadors' seeding in the SoCal Div I regional also coincides with its current rating as the No. 4 seed from Woodland Hills opens against 26-5 CIFSS Div. I-A runner-up Ventura on Monday.

6. De La Salle (Concord) 26-2 (2)
Season complete. The Spartans were stunned in the CIF North Coast Section semifinals, 39-33, against Newark Memorial and will not participate in the NorCal Div I regional playoffs. The Spartans could have dropped further, but will still give credit this week for their overall resume, which includes a win over McClymonds, a rout of Dominguez and two wins over NCS Div. I champion Monte Vista. If Monte Vista were to advance to the state finals, then it can go ahead of DLS in the rankings, but not yet.

7. Dominguez (Compton) 25-6 (7)
The Dons' six-point loss to King in the CIFSS Div. I-AA semifinals is not looking too shabby right now. Still, coach Duane Cooper's club was throttled by De La Salle in a showcase game and this ranking coincides with the seeding in the SoCal Div. I regional and the result of that game. Dominguez, which owns wins over both No. 8 Etiwanda and No. 9 Fairfax, has had a week to recover from its loss to King and with a possible four games in six days the Dons have to like their chances this week because of their overall depth on the bench.

8. Etiwanda (Rancho Cucamonga) 25-5 (8)
This is one of those situations where the rest of the state acknowledges the powerful Eagles yet hates that the Southern Section gives a second chance to a semifinal loser. Too bad De La Salle doesn't get the same opportunity in the north. It will be a well-rested, focused and anxious to avenge a 70-60 loss to Mater Dei (Santa Ana) Etiwanda team that travels down the I-15 to Oceanside to face El Camino in Monday night's game. The Eagles will actually be the heavy favorite against the No. 16 Wildcats. In the overall picture, it would be ludicrous not to have a team like the Eagles in the SoCal Regional as they have split with Taft (Woodland Hills) and only lost to Dominguez by two points. How do you argue with that? Dave Kleckner's club certainly played a much tougher schedule than almost any of their opponents. Etiwanda's balance, with Perris Blackwell, Deronn Scott and Christian Katuala is tough to match.

9. Fairfax (Los Angeles) 25-4 (9)
Head coach Harvey Kitani's team had the week off after losing to Taft of Woodland Hills in the L.A. City Section semifinals. Before that loss, Fairfax won postseason games against West Adams and Washington. Despite the loss to Taft, the Lions were seeded sixth in the Southern Regional Division I playoffs and will open at home on Monday against Edison of Fresno from the Central Section. The big win that helps the Lions in the rankings is the one against Westchester in Western League play. This week also is huge for 6-10 senior Renardo Sidney, who struggled in the loss to Taft. He's still a leading candidate to be Mr. Basketball State Player of the Year, but needs some big outings to further cement his status.

10. Folsom 30-1 (10)
In the second half of their CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Div. I title game against Franklin of Elk Grove, the Bulldogs looked like an elite squad as they came from behind to post a 52-50 triumph. Franklin was at full strength in the playoffs and won in its semifinal game 74-47 over Golden Valley of Merced, so it was a quality win. Folsom has been the Sacramento Bee's No. 1 team for most of the season and against Franklin was led by guard Tony Johnson's 19 points. In the NorCal Div. I pairings, the Bulldogs were behind McClymonds and Monte Vista of Danville. Monte Vista being seeded higher wasn't surprising since the Mustangs are the only team to beat Folsom all year. In these rankings, Folsom has eventually moved higher since that game was so long ago and Monte Vista has three overall losses. Two of those were to De La Salle, but the blowout loss to St. Mary's of Berkeley is what put Folsom higher. We moved up Monte Vista significantly in this week's rankings, but did not drop Folsom behind. The bad news for the Bulldogs is that they will likely have to travel to play Monte Vista on the road in the semifinals due to that earlier loss. First, head coach Mike Wall's team meets Skyline of Oakland at home in a first-round game on Tuesday.

11. Rocklin 30-2 (12)
Head coach Steve Taylor sounded like he expected his team to get a No. 1 seed for this week's NorCal Div. II playoffs after the Thunder downed Fairfield, 60-56, in the Sac-Joaquin Section finals. That didn't happen as Central Coast Section champ St. Francis of Mountain View got the nod, but Rocklin fans shouldn't get upset. Their team still has an easier first-round opponent (Pleasant Valley of Chico) than St. Francis and if the two teams play in the finals on Saturday the game will still be in the familiar confines of Arco Arena. St. Francis players have never taken a shot in that arena in their lives.

12. Eisenhower (Rialto) 28-3 (14)
There is old adage: Let shooters shoot. Despite missing his first seven three-pointers, Nicholas Carter was encouraged to keep shooting and because he did, the Eagles managed to pull out a tough 79-73 victory over upset-minded Loyola (Los Angeles) in the CIFSS II-A championships. Carter buried back-to-back threes in the game's final 90 seconds and Creighton-bound Andrew Bock stepped up with 27 of his 29 points in the second half as Eisenhower captured its 12th straight win and earned the No. 2 seed in the Division II SoCal Regionals. The Eagles get to play at home on Tuesday against the winner of the outbracket game between Oceanside and University (Los Angeles) as No. 17 Thousand Oaks got the No. 1 seed. For Carter, who scored 14 points, burying a pair of threes at the end was just business as usual. "It felt like a layup to me,” he said after the game. Bernard Ireland added 15 points for the Eagles. If Ike wins the SoCal title, it could be a rematch in the state final since the Eagles already have played and beaten Rocklin.

13. Monte Vista (Danville) 26-3 (19)
The fastest riser this week moves up six spots for a variety of reasons. First, the Mustangs won the NCS Div. I title 52-43 over a Newark Memorial (Newark) team that beat De La Salle and also beat previous No. 11 San Leandro in the semifinals. The Mustangs also own a head-to-head win over No. 10 Folsom. With a good showing in the NorCals or possible trip to Arco, they'll hop DLS despite the two league losses to the Spartans. Not yet, though. In the victory over Newark Memorial in front of a packed house at St. Mary's College, it was Brian Barbour taking over down the stretch to lead the Mustangs to their second D1 title in the last three years. Barbour finished with a game-high 25 points and scored 14-consecutive Monte Vista points in a stretch from the end of the first half until early in the fourth quarter. He then scored seven points over the final 1:04, two of which came on a steal and circus layup off the glass with two defenders smothering him. As expected, Coach Bill Powers' squad snagged the second seed in Div. I behind McClymonds and await the winner of the Lincoln (San Francisco) at Franklin (Elk Grove) Mar. 9 outbracket winner at home on Tuesday.    

14. St. Francis (Mountain View) 28-2 (15)
The top-ranked team in the CIF Central Coast Section got hopped by another Bay Area team, Monte Vista, but still moves up one spot following a CCS Div. II title game 68-55 win over Mitty of San Jose. The Lancers are the No. 1 seed in the Div. II Northern Regionals so the CIF must be giving them credit for playing in a tough league, plus they avenged a league loss to Mitty. In the CCS title tilt in front of a raucous standing-room only Santa Clara University Leavey Center crowd, the Lancers pulled away in the fourth quarter, running off 10 straight points at the midway mark after leading 53-48. Spencer Britschgi led the way with 15 points and Shawn Grant and Lasjohn Johnson each added 14 points. The Lancers open at home on Tuesday against NCS D2 runner-up Northgate of Walnut Creek.

15. Sacramento 24-6 (16)
It's not their home gym but nearby Arco Arena is turning into the Dragons' home away from home as they defeated Del Oro of Loomis, 71-44, to capture the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III championship last Friday night. Chase Tapley led the way with 24 points in the win. Tapley also had 23 points when Sacramento defeated Whitney of Rocklin, 62-47, in the semifinals. Due primarily to being in West Catholic Athletic League, Sacred Heart Cathedral of San Francisco is the top seed for this week's Div. III NorCal playoffs. Like Rocklin in D2, though, Sac looks like it has a better draw than the No. 1 seed. The Dragons host West Valley of Cottonwood and would then host either Analy of Sebastopol or Burlingame. Unlike St. Francis in D2, though, SHC players and fans are almost as familiar with Arco as the Dragons.

16. El Camino (Oceanside) 28-3 (17)
Coach Ray Johnson isn't one to complain and he'll take the home court advantage, but the Wildcats' 15-game winning streak will be tested by No. 8 Etiwanda (Rancho Cucamonga), a team that exited the Southern Section playoffs in the semifinals but gets a second chance. If El Camino plays defense like it did against Torrey Pines in the CIFSDS title game, the Wildcats could beat anyone. Torrey Pines was limited to three free throws and didn't get a field goal in the first 9:13 as El Camino rolled to a 37-16 halftime lead behind the torrid shooting of Alan Cox, who scored 14 of his 15 points before the break. Cox, who was sick on Friday and not expected to play, hit all three of his first quarter three-point attempts. El Camino's Luke Evans scored all 17 of his game-high points in the final three quarters. Although the Wildcats were listed as the No. 10 seed in Division I by the state CIF, they were actually No. 7 as the brackets reflected.

17. Thousand Oaks 29-2 (18)
There are flashy teams and then there are those that drive those flashy teams crazy by steadily playing their game, refusing to get rattled and then doing all the right things when the game is on the line. The Lancers ran their victory string to 19 by making hard-charging Leuzinger (Lawndale) play their game, 59-55, in the CIFSS II-AA finals and were rewarded – some would say too handsomely – with the No. 1 seed in the Southern California Regionals. Coach Richard Endres' club looked to 6-7 junior forward Alex Tiffen and he came through with 24 points in the victory. Detractors will look at the Lancers' losses, especially a 62-46 thumping by unranked Santa Monica, or even the 54-51 loss to Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) way back when fans still had plenty of time to buy Christmas presents, and wonder how they get that top seed and get to scout today's Bakersfield Liberty at Reseda play-in game before tomorrow's debut at home. That win over Leuzinger is a good answer.

18. Tesoro (Las Flores) 27-4 (20)
For the first time in school history, the Titans captured a boys basketball championship as they defeated Ventura 63-57 in the Southern Section Division I-A finals. Senior Chris Manresa once again was the mightiest of the Titans as he scored 21 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked six shots. Orange County offensive football player of the year Robbie Picazo chipped in with 13 points. Tesoro opens the Southern Regional Division I playoffs at home on Monday against San Diego Section Div. I runnerup Torrey Pines of San Diego. With a win, the Titans would likely be headed to Riverside the next day to take on top-seeded M.L. King of Riverside.

19. Newark Memorial (Newark) 26-5 (NR)
The Cougars lost in the NCS D1 final to Monte Vista but still get credit for their win over De La Salle. They are also still in action and could make some noise in the NorCal Division I regional despite being the sixth seed. The result is Coach Craig Ashmore's squad is one of two Bay Area newcomers to this week's rankings. In the loss to Monte Vista, Khion Sankey scored 14 points and senior forward Ifeanyi Ezeofor added 12 points and eight rebounds to lead the Cougars, who lost in the championship game for the fourth time in six years. Next up is a home date against the winner of the Salinas at Lowell (San Francisco) outbracket game at Kezar Pavilion on Monday.

20. Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco) 24-4 (NR)
The CCS Division III champions are the other Bay Area newcomer and get the nod for the final spot for a variety of reasons. In Division I, you'd probably have to bring in a team whose season is over ahead of those lower seeded teams. In Div. II, Loyola of Los Angeles and Hoover of San Diego are not quite yet the teams to move in. In Div. IV, Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) loses to Inglewood and then Ocean View of Huntington Beach absolutely destroys Inglewood. Windward (Los Angeles) also lost to Bishop Montgomery so that Xs those teams out. The logical choice is the Irish over Harvard-Westlake of North Hollywood and Ocean View. In the top-seed's CCS D3 title game 48-35 victory over second-seeded Burlingame, the Irish were sloppy and actually trailed 17-16 at halftime. They ratcheted it up to open the second half by starting with an 8-0 run and never looked back. USC-bound football defensive end Kevin Greene led the scoring with 12 points and Jerry Brown added 11 points and 12 rebounds. SHC got the top seed over Sacramento in the NorCal Division III regionals but that has more to do with the CIF not wanting teams from the same sections playing each other in early rounds as any other factor. The Irish open at home on Tuesday with Del Oro of Loomis.

Dropped Out: Previous No. 11 San Leandro; No. 13 Leuzinger (Lawndale).

On the Bubble: Edison (Fresno) 24-6, Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood) 25-6, Hoover (San Diego) 28-7, Leuzinger (Lawndale) 25-6, Loyola (Los Angeles) 24-6, Ocean View (Huntington Beach) 24-7, Salesian (Richmond) 27-4, San Leandro 25-4, Windward (Los Angeles) 25-6.

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