Division play in the CIF Southern Section is heating up, with every team in our initial top 10 having faced several tests so far. Future rankings will take a look at the previous week, while this time we'll break down how we came to our first CIF-SS Top 10.
1. Mater Dei (17-2): The Monarchs have rolled through their in-state schedule, with no California team coming within 10 points of Mater Dei thus far. Victories over Lake Wales (Fla.), Las Vegas Bishop Gorman, Brooklyn Lincoln and Orange Lutheran make Mater Dei's ranking an easy choice. Last week, Mater Dei traveled to Springfield, Mass., for the Hoop Hall Classic, where Katin Reinhardt's nine three-pointers and 35 points helped the Monarchs defeat Christ the King 88-50. The local schedule gets tougher for Mater Dei, as the Monarchs travel to St. John Bosco and Orange Lutheran in the next 10 days.
2. Long Beach Poly (15-1): With the only exception being a narrow 70-65 loss to Loyola at the Redondo Union Pacific Shores Tournament, Long Beach Poly hasn't been challenged often in what's been a successful season. Led by two of Southern California's best players in juniors Roschon Prince and Jordan Bell, Long Beach Poly's wins over Pacific Hills, Santa Monica, Fairfax and Compton are impressive. Last week Poly traveled to Seattle and defeated the state of Washington's top team in Rainier Beach. Long Beach Poly still has challenging games at Compton and Orange Lutheran.
3. Etiwanda (19-1): Etiwanda has rolled all season, with its only loss being to La Verne Lutheran in the Rose City Classic at Pasadena High School. Sophomore Jordan McLaughlin has emerged as one of the West Coast's most promising point guard prospects and last week helped Etiwanda knock off Los Osos and Alta Loma by a combined 69 points. Etiwanda's Jan. 28 matchup with 18-1 La Verne Damien should be Etiwanda's biggest challenge left in the regular season.
4. Loyola (15-2): After starting January with losses to talented Crespi and Alemany teams, Loyola has bounced back with four straight victories. Loyola earns its ranking with a strong overall resume, including victories over Long Beach Poly (15-1), Alemany (16-3) and Tampa, Fla., Jesuit (20-1) as well as Redondo Union Pacific Shores, The Tournament at Santa Monica and George National Jesuit Christmas Classic championships. Loyola will be able to prove it belongs ahead of Crespi and Alemany with home games against both squads this week.
5. Crespi (18-2): Crespi boasts two wins over Alemany to go with victories over Loyola and Price. Led by junior point guard London Perrantes, Crespi has one of the best floor generals in California. Losses to Washington and Harvard-Westlake — two games Crespi should have won — prevent the squad from a better ranking, but a Jan. 23 game at Loyola gives the Celts the chance to move up.
6. Alemany (16-3): Victories over Price and Loyola show what Alemany is capable of, while two losses to Crespi and a setback to Loyola are nothing to be ashamed of. Led by Nevada-bound senior lockdown defender Marqueze Coleman, Alemany has a talented group of players. Seniors Coleman and Max Guercy, sophomore Bear Henderson and freshman Malik Anderson could have the opportunity to play D-I basketball. Alemany could move up by winning at Loyola on Jan. 25.
7. Gardena Serra (19-2): You could make a good argument that Serra deserves to be higher on this list with some solid victories, including one over a talented St. John Bosco squad. Losses to Bishop Montgomery and Price are both respectable. Senior guard Kajon Mack has helped lead Serra to Las Vegas Prep and Windward Classic titles. A Jan. 28 matchup with Fairfax will be a good test for Serra.
8. La Verne Lutheran (15-4): Despite four losses — two to out of state teams — La Verne is the only team to defeat Etiwanda, while victories over Compton and Orange Lutheran are also solid. Boasting arguably the state's top player in Arizona signee Grant Jerrett, the Trojans will have the chance to win almost every time they take the court. Games against Westchester, Ribet Academy, Mater Dei and Price should give a much better idea of how good this team is.
9. Bishop Montgomery (16-3): Ever since a loss to Mayfair to start the season, Bishop Montgomery has mostly rolled, with the exceptions being respectable losses to St. John Bosco and Gardena Serra. Victories over Gardena Serra, Pacific Hills, Westchester, Taft and Price are all impressive, proving Bishop Montgomery can compete with some of the best teams in Southern California. A rubber match with Serra on Feb. 1 is Bishop Montgomery's biggest challenge left.
10. Price (13-5): You could make arguments for Damien, Pacific Hills, Capistrano Valley, Orange Lutheran, Windward and St. John Bosco for this spot, but Price is better than its record indicates. Losses to Etiwanda, Alemany, Bishop Montgomery, Crespi and Baltimore Patterson are all excusable, while wins over Windward, Gardena Serra and Fairfax are solid. Price gets another shot at Windward, while matchups with Ribet Academy, Alemany, Compton and La Verne Lutheran are also on the schedule.
