The Orange County boys basketball rankings as of Monday, Jan. 12. The team records are through Sunday, Jan. 11.
Notable this week: Santa Margarita remains at No. 1 despite losing last week. But it was a close one – 74-73 in double overtime to St. John Bosco. … La Habra moves up after it beat No. 2 Crean Lutheran 69-56 on Friday. Crean Lutheran stays ranked at No. 2. … Marina gets into the Top 25 after a 61-56 win over Fountain Valley. … Mater Dei, bolstered by additions to its roster when the sit-out period expired, continues to win and rise.
BOYS BASKETBALL TOP 25
1. Santa Margarita 19-3: The Eagles lost to St. John Bosco 74-73 in double overtime in what might be the best game of the year. It was the Trinity League opener for both teams. Senior guard Kaiden Bailey scored 29 points with six assists for Santa Margarita.
Previous ranking: 1
2. Crean Lutheran 15-6: It was a weird week for the Saints. They dominated Canyon 80-54 in a Crestview League game. They lost to La Habra 69-56 in another league game. Crean Lutheran 6-11 senior Chadrack Mpoyi scored 25 points in the win over Canyon.
Previous ranking: 2
3. JSerra 14-8: The Lions defeated Orange Lutheran 80-66 in a Trinity League opener for both teams. Jaden Bailes scored 16 points, Earl Bryson scored 14 points and Lincoln Faalafi scored 12 for JSerra.
Previous ranking: 3
4. Corona del Mar 18-1: The Sea Kings beat Los Alamitos 78-77 in a terrific Sunset League game. Maxwell Scott scored 35 points for Corona del Mar. The Sea Kings are 3-0 in league, including a 72-54 win over Marina last week.
Previous ranking: 4
5. Mater Dei 14-7: The Monarchs rolled to two one-sided wins. They beat Servite 95-76 in a Trinity League opener, led by senior guard Luke Barnett’s 32 points including eight 3-point baskets. Mater Dei also beat Dos Pueblos 83-54 in a nonleague game. Richie Ramirez and Zain Majeed scored 16 points each.
Previous ranking: 7
6. La Habra 16-5: Senior guard Acen Jimenez scored 30 points to lead the Highlanders to a 69-56 win over Crean Lutheran in a Crestview League game. Jimenez scored 23 points in an overtime loss to Cypress in a league game earlier in the week.
Previous ranking: 14
7. Los Alamitos 10-7: The Griffins lost a tough one at home, 78-77, to Corona del Mar in a Sunset League game to start the week. They followed with back-to-back league wins over Huntington Beach 57-47 and Marina 80-60.
Previous ranking: 5
8. Cypress 15-7: The Centurions defeated La Habra 64-55 in a Crestview League game, their only game last week. Cypress is 1-1 in league, including a loss to Crean Lutheran.
Previous ranking: 8
9. Canyon 12-7: The Comanches lost to Crean Lutheran 80-54 in a Crestview League game. They trailed Crean 21-1 in the first quarter. Canyon beat Foothill 75-52 in a league game.
Previous ranking: 6
10. Fairmont Prep 10-9: The Huskies played well in a tough 54-51 loss to Corona Centennial in a nonleague game, then played poorly in a 54-35 loss to San Gabriel Academy in a San Joaquin League game.
Previous ranking: 9
11. Orange Lutheran 14-6
Previous ranking: 10
12. Servite 16-6
Previous ranking: 13
13. Tesoro 18-3
Previous ranking: 12
14. Pacifica Christian 14-4
Previous ranking: 11
15. El Dorado 18-2
Previous ranking: 15
16. Edison 16-3
Previous ranking: 16
17. Esperanza 19-1
Previous ranking: 17
18. Sonora 16-6
Previous ranking: 18
19. San Clemente 11-9
Previous ranking: 21
20. Fountain Valley 18-2
Previous ranking: 19
21. Marina 9-11
Previous ranking: Not ranked
22. Newport Harbor 13-6
Previous ranking: 20
23. Huntington Beach 10-10
Previous ranking: 22
24. Aliso Niguel 13-8
Previous ranking: 24
25. Villa Park 12-10
Previous ranking: 23
