BOYS BASKETBALL TOP 25
Notable this week: Cypress rises from No. 17 last week to No. 6 this week after victories over then-No. 15 San Clemente and No. 4 Fairmont Prep. … Santa Margarita stays on top after close wins over Basha and Bishop Gorman in the Tarkanian Classic tournament in Las Vegas. … Canyon’s young team climbs after a win over rival Villa Park. … Los Alamitos continues its rise after a 20-point win over Torrey Pines. … Corona del Mar and Fountain Valley take undefeated records into this week.
1. Santa Margarita 13-1: The Eagles advanced to the semifinals of the top division of the Tarkanian Classic, the Platinum Division, including a win, 86-79, in overtime over Bishop Gorman. Drew Anderson scored 29 points with 19 rebounds.
Previous ranking: 1
2. Crean Lutheran 9-3: The Saints lost to Sierra Canyon, 69-40, a team widely considered No. 1 in the CIF Southern Section. They play in the top division of The Classic at Damien after Christmas.
Previous ranking: 2
3. JSerra 8-5: The Lions won their first two games in the Tarkanian Classic’s Spalding Division by one-sided scores, 88-60 over Bingham and 70-35 over Mojave.
Previous ranking: 3
4. Corona del Mar 11-0: The undefeated Sea Kings did not play last week. They will play No. 7 Cypress in the Orange County North/South Challenge at Tesoro on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Previous ranking: 5.
5. Canyon 7-3: Often with three freshmen on the court at the same time, Canyon beat Villa Park 65-58 in the Challenge For CHOC showcase at Sonora. They will play in the post-Christmas Classic at Damien’s Diamond Division.
Previous ranking: 9
6. Cypress 10-4: The Centurions had a great week, with wins of 57-50 over San Clemente and 59-49 over Fairmont Prep. They play Corona del Mar at Tesoro on Tuesday.
Previous ranking: 17
7. Los Alamitos 4-5: The Griffins impressed again with a 73-53 win over Torrey Pines. They continue their rugged schedule by taking on Crean Lutheran at Tesoro on Tuesday.
Previous ranking: 10
8. Fairmont Prep 7-5: The Huskies beat Oak Hills 52-47 and lost to Cypress 59-49. They will play in the Diamond Division of The Classic at Damien after Christmas.
Previous ranking: 4
9. Pacifica Christian 11-2: The Tritons have won eight in a row since a loss to Rolling Hills Prep. They will play in the Silver Division of The Classic at Damien.
Previous ranking: 6
10. Mater Dei 7-5: The Monarchs went 1-1 over the first two days of the Tarkanian Classic. They had an 87-61 win over Coeur d’Alene as Richie Ramirez scored 41 points and Luke Barnett scored 33.
Previous ranking: 7
11. Orange Lutheran 10-4
Previous ranking: 10
12. Tesoro 12-2
Previous ranking: 11
13. El Dorado 11-1
Previous ranking: 12
14. La Habra 11-3
Previous ranking: 13
15. Edison 9-2
Previous ranking: 14
16. Esperanza 13-1
Previous ranking: 16
17. Servite 11-3
Previous ranking: 18
18. San Clemente 6-7
Previous ranking: 15
19. Newport Harbor 9-3
Previous ranking: 19
20. Sonora 10-4
Previous ranking: 21
21. Fountain Valley 11-0
Previous ranking: 22
22. Foothill 5-5
Previous ranking: 20
23. Woodbridge 10-3
Previous ranking: 23
24. Villa Park 10-6
Previous ranking: 24
25. Aliso Niguel 9-5
Previous ranking: 25