This week’s Orange County high school boys basketball rankings.
Notable this week: Pacifica Christian becomes the fifth team this season to claim the No. 1 spot in the Orange County rankings, following Canyon, Mater Dei, Santa Margarita and Orange Lutheran. … The Tritons were impressive in a win over Fairmont Prep in the San Joaquin League. … JSerra had a great week, beating Orange Lutheran and St. John Bosco in the Trinity League. … Canyon moves up to No. 6 after Crestview League victories over Villa Park and Foothill. … Corona del Mar jumps into the Top 25 after a win over Edison.
BOYS BASKETBALL TOP 25
(Records through Sunday, Jan. 29)
1. Pacifica Chrisitian 19-8: The Tritons rise to No. 1 in the Orange County rankings for the first time in their history after beating Fairmont Prep 63-45 in a crucial San Joaquin League game. Salim Semaan scored 13 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter.
Previous ranking: 4
2. Mater Dei 20-6: The Monarchs had a second-half collapse and lost to St. John Bosco, but then put together good back-to-back wins over Orange Lutheran and St. Mary’s (Arizona) in the Nike Extravaganza.
Previous ranking: 5
3. Orange Lutheran 16-8: The Lancers beat Servite and lost to Mater Dei in Trinity League games. They are tied with Santa Margarita for second place behind St. John Bosco.
Previous ranking: 1
4. JSerra 18-8: With forward Sebastian Rancik back in the lineup, the Lions suddenly are one of the hottest teams in Southern California. They had wins last week over Santa Margarita and St. John Bosco in Trinity League games and over Crean Lutheran in the Nike Extravaganza.
Previous ranking: 6
5. Santa Margarita 21-6: The Eagles split their two Trinity League games last week, with a win over Servite and a loss to JSerra.
Previous ranking: 2
6. Canyon 21-5: Comanches sophomore Brandon Benjamin improved his candidacy for Orange County player of the year with 19 points and eight rebounds in a win over Villa Park and 21 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Foothill.
Previous ranking: 9
7. Fairmont Prep 19-6: The Huskies had wins over La Serna and Capistrano Valley Christian, lost by 18 points to Pacifica Christian.
Previous ranking: 3
8. Foothill 23-4: After a Crestview League win over Yorba Linda, the Knights had back-to-back losses to Canyon in league and Coronado (Nevada) in the Nike Extravaganza.
Previous ranking: 7
9. Orangewood Academy 19-6: The Spartans won twice last week, by 13 points over Capistrano Valley Christian in a San Joaquin League game and by 16 points over Hesperia in nonleague play.
Previous ranking: 8
10. Crean Lutheran 18-7: The Saints remained undefeated in the Empire League with wins over Pacifica and Tustin, lost to JSerra in the Nike Extravaganza.
Previous ranking: 10
11. Los Alamitos 20-6
Previous ranking: 12
12. Tesoro 22-4
Previous ranking: 14
13. Capistrano Valley 17-7
Previous ranking: 13
14. Sonora 22-4
Previous ranking: 15
15. Edison 18-8
Previous ranking: 11
16. Villa Park 17-8
Previous ranking: 20
17. Dana Hills 16-7
Previous ranking: 17
18. Aliso Niguel 14-10
Previous ranking: 16
19. San Juan Hills 14-11
Previous ranking: 18
20. Trabuco Hills 14-10
Previous ranking: 19
21. Corona del Mar 16-9
Previous ranking: Not ranked
22. Fountain Valley 17-9
Previous ranking: 21
Related Articles
Orange County girls basketball Top 25: Orangewood Academy enters Top 10, Jan. 30
JSerra basketball adds to its big week with a win over Crean Lutheran in Nike Extravaganza
Orange County girls basketball standings: Saturday, Jan. 28
Orange County boys basketball standings: Saturday, Jan. 28
Canyon boys basketball stays hot, wins fierce league battle with Foothill
23. Newport Harbor 18-8
Previous ranking: 22
24. La Habra 19-6
Previous ranking: 23
25. El Toro 14-11
Previous ranking: Not ranked
