This week’s Daily News boys basketball Top 10 rankings.
BOYS BASKETBALL TOP 10
(Records through Sunday, Jan. 26)
1. Harvard-Westlake (22-1)
Fueled by Isaiah Carroll’s performance, Harvard-Westlake defeated Notre Dame 73-63 on Friday in a Mission League showdown. Carroll, Joe Sterling and Nikolas Khamenia, who was named a McDonald’s All-American on Monday, all scored 18 points in the win. The Wolverines square up against Sierra Canyon on Tuesday with first place in the Mission League on the line.
2. Notre Dame (18-4)
The Knights struggled in the first half against Harvard-Westlake but didn’t throw in the towel, as they assembled a fourth-quarter comeback attempt that fell short. There is injury concern surrounding senior point guard Lino Mark, who returned to action last week after missing several games, but left in the first quarter of Friday’s game and did not return. Notre Dame has star power in juniors Tyran Stokes and Zach White, plus young up-and-comers NaVorro Bowman and Josiah Nance, but is missing Mark’s leadership. Notre Dame will be on the road Tuesday and Thursday against Chaminade and Crespi, respectively.
3. Sierra Canyon (18-3)
Winners of seven straight, the Trailblazers are getting hot at the right time. Since returning with two wins in Tennessee in early January, Sierra Canyon has steamrolled through its first four Mission League games, winning by an average of 28 points. Tuesday’s game against Harvard-Westlake could determine the No. 1 seed in the Mission League Tournament.
4. Heritage Christian (22-3)
The Warriors traveled to Alaska to take part in the Alaska Airlines Classic and came home with a 2-1 record. The loss came in overtime, 51-45 against Hoover, the No. 1-ranked team in Alaska. Heritage Christian will look to wrap up an undefeated Olympic League title with matchups against Whittier Christian and Maranatha this week, before closing the regular season against Village Christian.
5. Crespi (17-6)
The Celts are 2-2 in the Mission League with wins over St. Francis and Chaminade. Crespi also kept things close against Sierra Canyon, falling 71-62 last week. Santa Monica transfer Jayden Xu is growing into an impact player alongside Peyton White and Isaiah and Carter Barnes. Crespi plays Loyola on the road Tuesday and hosts Notre Dame on Thursday.
6. Oaks Christian (18-5)
The Lions are flying through the Marmonte League, winners of six league games in a row. Oaks Christian also defeated Foothill League opponent Canyon 77-61 on Saturday. Seniors Stevie Amar, Troy McGovern and Isayah Garcia averaged double-digit points over the last four games. Oaks Christian has matchups with Newbury Park, Agoura and Calabasas this week.
7. Campbell Hall (12-9)
The Vikings kept things competitive in losses to Gold Coast League opponents Windward and Brentwood, losing by four points in each game. Campbell Hall will look to rebound against Crossroads and Viewpoint this week, with a game against nonleague opponent Grant sandwiched in between.
8. Alemany (18-5)
The Warriors went 1-1 last week in Mission League play, falling to Notre Dame and defeating Loyola. Alemany has a nonleague game against Calvary Baptist (Monday) followed by league games against St. Francis and Sierra Canyon. The Warriors close the regular season against Crespi in what could be a battle for fourth place in the Mission League.
9. Cleveland (15-4)
The Cavaliers enter the conversation after winning 10 straight, including an impressive 76-74 overtime victory over Chatsworth on Friday. Cleveland now has the advantage in the West Valley League and is eyeing a top spot in the CIF L.A. City Section playoffs. The Cavaliers begin the week against Northridge Academy (Monday).
10. Westlake (16-8)
The Warriors defeated Calabasas in back-to-back games last week and followed those victories with a win over Agoura on Friday. The only blemish on Westlake’s Marmonte League record is a 56-48 loss to Oaks Christian. The Warriors are on the road for three in a row starting with Agoura (Monday), and games against Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park rounding out the week.