Press-Telegram girls basketball Top 10 rankings: St. Joseph moves into No. 1 spot, Jan. 14

Posted by Admin January 14, 2025 Basketball

This week’s Press-Telegram girls basketball Top 10 rankings.

GIRLS BASKETBALL TOP 10

(Team records are through Monday, Jan. 13.)

1. ST. JOSEPH (16-2)

The Jesters rise to No. 1 after showing flashes of being a Open Division/Division 1 level team in a 72-34 loss against nationally-ranked Ontario Christian on Jan. 11. St. Joseph, who trailed 24-14 midway through the second quarter, was led by junior guard Bella Harmon, junior forward Alana White and sophomore Ava Washington. The trio all played well in spurts against the nation’s No. 1 ranked team. St. Joseph went 2-1 last week, highlighted by blowout Camino Real League wins over St. Paul (80-23 on Jan. 7) and Cantwell-Sacred Heart of Mary (74-35 on Jan. 9).

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St. Joseph guard Bella Harmon, center, looks to take a jump shot against Ontario Christian at the Mater Dei Showcase in Santa Ana on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (Photo by Paul Rodriguez, Contributing Photographer)

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2. LYNWOOD (8-11)

The Knights rise to No. 2 after a blowout 82-47 win over No. 3 Paramount in a Gateway League game on Jan. 8. Freshman guard Lunden Edwards had 19 points and six steals. Senior guard Zaliyah Castillo had 16 points. Freshman guard Chances Horn added 11 points. Lynwood went 2-1 last week with big victories over Paramount and No. 10 Downey (56-24 on Jan. 10) and a blowout loss at Mater Dei on Jan. 11. The team’s competitive nonleague schedule in paying off in Gateway League play.

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3. PARAMOUNT (12-7)

The Pirates went 0-2 last week and drop to No. 3 after a 82-47 loss at No. 2 Lynwood on Jan. 8 and a 58-43 loss at Beckman on Jan. 10. Paramount will play at No. 10 Downey on Wednesday.

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4. LONG BEACH POLY (13-4)

The Jackrabbits went 3-0 last week but drop to No. 4 after close wins over Wilson (44-34), No. 8 Whitney (38-35) and Jordan (43-38.) Senior forward Joy Anderson is averaging a double-double.

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Long Beach Poly's Joy Anderson goes upon for the shot as they Jackrabbits take on Paramount in Long Beach, CA, on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer) — Long Beach Poly’s Joy Anderson goes upon for the shot as they Jackrabbits take on Paramount in Long Beach, CA, on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)

5. ST. ANTHONY (8-8)

The Saints went 0-1 last week but rise to No. 5 after a competitive 53-42 loss at Del Rey League foe Bishop Montgomery on Jan. 11. Junior guard Laila Hughes had a team-high 14 points and seven rebounds. St. Anthony will play a tough three game stretch against St. Monica, St. Mary’s Academy and JSerra this week.

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6. LOS ALAMITOS (14-6)

The Griffins have won 9 out of their last 10 games but drop to No. 6 suffered a 50-31 loss at rival Corona del Mar on Jan. 7.

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7. LAKEWOOD (13-5)

The Lancers went 1-0 last week with a blowout win over rival Millikan on Jan. 8. Senior guard Nyemah King is averaging 26.3 points and 6.6 rebounds. Lakewood will host Jordan on Friday and test themselves against a top CIF-SS team with a nonleague game at Bishop Montgomery on Saturday.

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8. WHITNEY (14-7)

The Wildcats improved to 3-0 in the 605 League and put up a valiant effort in 38-35 loss against No. 4 Long Beach Poly on Jan. 11. Senior forward Haylie Wang is team’s athlete of the quarter.

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Whitney's Haylie Wang tries to block Cerritos Ambar Multani's shot as the two teams battle it out in Cerritos, CA, on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer) — Whitney’s Haylie Wang tries to block Cerritos Ambar Multani’s shot as the two teams battle it out in Cerritos, CA, on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. (Photo by Tracey Roman, Contributing Photographer)

9. GAHR (12-6)

The Gladiators went 2-0 last week with wins over Lawndale and Mayfair. Gahr will play at No. 2 Lynwood Wednesday and host No. 10 Downey Friday. Ella Mims is a sophomore to watch.

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10. DOWNEY (10-10)

The Vikings went 1-1 last week with a blowout win over Mayfair and a blowout loss to No. 2 Lynwood. Freshman guard Bella Mejia’s is Downey’s leading scorer. Downey will host No. 3 Paramount Wednesday and will play at No. 9 Gahr on Friday.

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Other area teams: Dominguez (15-2), Jordan (9-9), St. Pius X-St. Matthias (10-7), Warren (8-4), Valley Christian (9-10), La Mirada (9-9), Cerritos (6-14), Millikan (7-10), Wilson (6-7), Cabrillo (7-7), Norwalk (7-8).