Central Cali’s Top 25 Team Rankings (Updated 5.0)

This is the last round of team rankings that I will do until the end of the regular season. The top 9 seeds are the same as the last round of team rankings, but some significant movement from 10-20. I also added my Next Five Team to compile my Top 25 teams. As the playoffs loom with the last two weeks of league play left, there are some key match-ups that could shake this list up when I update at the end of the regular season. We begin with the team that has had the top spot since the first round of team rankings back in early November.   1. (1) St. Joseph Knights (Santa Maria) (23-2)   The Knights continue to hold on to the top spot in these team rankings, as it has gone 7-0 since the last round of these rankings. In particular, the Knights have earned wins over Section rival San Joaquin Memorial of Fresno, in what could be a preview of the Section title game, as well as De La Salle at the annual De La Salle MLK Showcase, and this past Saturday a huge win over the top NorCal team in Salesian of Richmond at the annual Crush in the Valley Showcase at Napa College, the #8 ranked team in the state. St. Joe's has only league opponents remaining on its schedule, and, without some wild upset, the Knights are set to take the top seed for the D1 Section Playoffs. The Price brothers and Gunner Morinini have led the charge from the perimeter, with Williams Sacre, [player_tooltip player_id='2436295' first='Godson' last='Eyita'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2131807' first='Abdoul' last='Bare'] holding down the interior.    2. (2) Buchanan Bears (Clovis) (21-2)   The Bears hold steady at the #2 spot in this updated list of team rankings, as it has gone undefeated through the first round of TRAC play and doing it in convening fashion, winning each game by double-digits besides the two-point win over Clovis. Buchanan plays Clovis this coming Tuesday, the TRAC team that has given it the most trouble, followed by a second match-up against Clovis North at the Stable Center on February 6th, for what will likely be the deciding game for who wins the TRAC. Buchanan has looked like one of the most complete teams in the Section with size, guard play, depth, blend of veteran and younger players, and a few special sophomores that have led the charge of late in [player_tooltip player_id='2915953' first='Rhead' last='Sweeney'], Josiah Perry, and Luke DeManby, along with seniors Jaiden Anderson, Des Patton, and Brayden Harris. I see the Bears being the main team to challenge the Knights for the Section title and a probable repeat of last year's D1 Section title game.    3. (3) Bakersfield Christian Eagles (14-10)   The Eagles retain its spot at #3 and have been impressive against Section opponents since the last round of team ranking updates, with its two losses coming to San Gabriel Academy and Mesa of Arizona, neither of those losses should have much of an impact on where the Eagles end up when regular season play is over. The Eagles got a big win over Bullard of Fresno last Thursday, 66-50, to solidify wins over the CMACs top two teams. BCHS has two key games left on its schedule, a league match-up against Bakersfield High on Friday, January 30th, and a non-league game against Centennial of Bakersfield to end the regular season on Saturday, February 7th. If the Eagles win out, it will likely have the #3 seed in the D1 Section playoffs if Buchanan were to win out, and it would jump San Joaquin Memorial as it has the head-to-head victories. When BCHS is healthy and has its entire roster on the court, it has the players by position to test the Knights and Buchanan, but it has only had its full roster on the court in two games since the start of the New Year. Health and availability will be key for the Eagles to make a run in the Section and State playoffs. Having [player_tooltip player_id='2646533' first='Taiwo' last='Daramola'], [player_tooltip player_id='2194700' first='Jeremias' last='Killebrew'], Caiden Jackson, Braylen Smith, [player_tooltip player_id='3034823' first='Carter' last='Steinback'], Kai McCrary, and Owen Yurosek, all on the court together make the Eagles a tough out for any team in D1.    4. (4) San Joaquin Memorial Panthers (Fresno) (18-5)   The Panthers have been dominant in CMAC play, as it went undefeated in the first round of league play, and it will start the second round of CMAC play this Tuesday against Bullard. The Panthers did take a couple of losses to two of the top 6 teams in the state, dropping one to Section rival St. Joe's on Saturday the 17th at the Knights gym, followed by a loss to Riordan of San Francisco at the De La Salle MLK Showcase. SJM has one more non-league game that will be a great test before the playoffs begin, which is against Lincoln of Stockton. Assuming San Joaquin finishes league undefeated and wins the CMAC 1, the Panthers should end up with the #4 seed for the D1 Section playoffs, if everything else in the top 5 remains the same as today. The win or loss against Lincoln may not matter much, as a common opponent is not taken into consideration for most sports, with Clovis North defeating Lincoln back in early December. But if Clovis North can get the win in the rematch against Buchanan, that could move SJM down to the #5 spot. The best thing for seeding purposes is to win out the remaining games, which is all the Panthers can control. Still the team most likely to defeat the Knights, but if not in the top 3 for the D1 playoffs, that game may happen before the Section title game and would be at St. Joe's, a tough place to win. [player_tooltip player_id='3072422' first='Sajjin' last='Sidhu'], [player_tooltip player_id='2830146' first='Parker' last='Spees'], [player_tooltip player_id='2932601' first='Ty' last='Schalk'], Domo Olanrewaju, and the supporting cast have been consistent all season and are poised for the postseason.   5. (5) Clovis North Broncos (Fresno) (14-10)   The Broncos continue to hold steady at #5 and round out the Top 5 for this updated list of team rankings. Clovis North got a big win over Bakersfield High and has been solid in league play, but dropped its first game in TRAC play against Buchanan, who has won 4 straight against the Broncos going back to last season. Clovis North fell short to Moreau Catholic of Hayward this past Saturday at the annual Crush in the Valley, but that will not likely have an impact on its seeding in the Section playoffs, and I see the Broncos having the edge on the rest of its TRAC opponents besides Buchanan, which it will have a chance to avenge on Friday, February 6th at home. If Clovis North wins that one, and both teams are tied with one loss in the TRAC, that could lift the Broncos up in the rankings and likely move them up in the seedings given the weight the TRAC league has had over the years as the best overall league in the Section. McKae Amundsen has become the all-time leading scorer for Clovis North, and [player_tooltip player_id='2977779' first='Elias' last='Gish'] has been big time for the Broncos this season, but it will be imperative for other players to step up, especially against Buchanan.    6. (6) Clovis Cougars (18-6)   The Cougars hold steady at #6 in this updated list despite dropping one to Clovis East, as Clovis is on a 3-game winning streak with wins over Clovis West of Fresno and Centennial of Bakersfield, and it is the only team to test the Bears from start to finish, losing by only 2, 50-48, and the loss to the T-Wolves was by one. Clovis will have a chance to earn it down the stretch with only league opponents left on the schedule, starting with Buchanan this coming Tuesday in the Den. The Cougars could also be playing with house money to an extent, as the only D2 team left is Central East of Fresno, the rest being D1 base programs, so even if Clovis were to lose to all the TRAC teams left on its schedule, besides the Bengals, it would likely still have the top seed in the D2 Section Playoffs. Can [player_tooltip player_id='2843567' first='Anthony' last='Smith'], Damon Jackson Jr., [player_tooltip player_id='2954272' first='Sier' last='Harbin'], Kayden Lewis-Burnley, Roman Felix, Jackson Scarborough, and the rest of the squad change the direction of the program, which has been down the last few seasons? One of the most talented rosters in the Section and when it clicks Clovis is tough on both ends.   7. (7) Clovis West Golden Eagles (Fresno) (15-9)   The Golden Eagles stay at #7 despite going through a rough 3-game patch that has resulted in losses to Clovis North, Buchanan, and Clovis. Clovis West has played well against all but one of the teams below it on this list and has some solid wins from a handful of teams on this list below. The Golden Eagles will look to get back to its winning ways against Central East this Tuesday, but the Bengals are looking to secure its first win in TRAC play, so it will be a dog fight. Jace Kellogg has led the Golden Eagles this season and has done some heavy lifting putting points in the scoreboard, and he will need some help as Clovis West prepares for the playoffs. The upside for the Golden Eagles is the young talent on the roster that has come up big at times this season, but can one or a few of the younger guys like Hunter Bradford, Jamel Castro, David Hinton IV to name a few, step up and be that consistent counter-part to Kellogg.    8. (8) Bakersfield Drillers (13-9)   The Drillers hold steady at #8 for this updated list of team rankings, as it has had success in league play, with its only loss coming to Bakersfield Christian, 60-52, but much closer for most of the game. The rematch is this Friday at Bakersfield High and will be an event to attend for hoop fans in the South Valley, and if the Drillers can pull off the upset, it would likely split league with the Eagles, and boost its ranking in the Section, to get a chance at the #2 seed in the D2 playoffs. Bakersfield also has two cross-SYL match-ups against Liberty and Centennial of Bakersfield, as well as a one off game against Heritage Christian of Northridge, before closing out the season against Ridgeview of Bakersfield. The Drillers should be a top 4 seed in Division 2, and how it plays this week will be a major factor in how that plays out. Win and likely move up in seeding, that simple on paper, but games have to be played. [player_tooltip player_id='2700921' first='Kade' last='Johnson'] and RJ Shehee will need to play quality hoops, as well as Ryze Niles, Keshawn Black, Kamren Owens, and the surrounding cast.      9. (9) Bullard Knights (Fresno) (15-9)   The Knights stay at #9 and have been consistent all season, in that it has won nearly all the games it should have won, but also lost the games to those teams ahead of Bullard on this list. In its last five games, the Knights have defeated Sanger, Roosevelt, and Sunnyside, and have lost to San Joaquin and Bakersfield Christian. Therefore, I decided to keep Bullard at the nine spot. Bullard has all CMAC 1 opponents left and should go 4-1 to earn a spot in what should be an 8-team D1 Section playoff bracket. If Bullard were to drop down to D2 for some reason, then that changes what the Knights could accomplish. Ja'Vance Coleman Jr. and the young cast of Kiyan Wharry, Kingston Sligh, Tyler Connors and the rest of the squad have withstood some key losses to the roster as the Summer came to an end.    10. (20) Clovis East Timberwolves (12-11)   The Timberwolves made a huge jump in these team rankings and that is for two reasons: the roster has seen an upgrade over the past month with the return of seniors Aidan Beechler and Lydell Farmer; and secondly, the team has earned wins over Clovis, Central East, and Immanuel of Reedley in 3 of its last four games. The Timberwolves are interesting team that currently would be in the D2 playoffs, if D1 were to be an 8-team bracket, but if it gets a win over Clovis West, and Clovis again, and pull an upset on either Clovis North or Buchanan, who it had down 32-20 at the half this past Friday before the Bears stormed back for the win, it could get a bit in the D1 playoffs. If the T-Wolves were to be in D2 for the Section playoffs, that would be a scary team to have to play.    11. (11) Tulare Union Tribe (22-1)   The Tribe remains at #11 in this updated list even though it has won all but one game this season, and has some good wins over Hanford and Lemoore. The reason I did not move the Tribe into the Top 10 boils down to the strength of schedule and who it has wins over this season. Tulare Union has one win over a Division 1 team, with a win over Sanger at the Polly, but the Apaches are not playing at the level to make the D1 playoffs this season. The best win for the Tribe is over Kingsburg or Central Valley Christian, which are good wins but not to the level of the wins for the teams ahead of it in this list. Therefore, I have kept the Tribe out of the top 10. Tulare Union is likely to win out, earn the top seed in the D3 playoffs, and have been led by standout guards Brayden Stevenson and Demaje Riley.      12. (10) Centennial Golden Hawks (Bakersfield) (17-5)   The Golden Hawks move down two spots and come it at #12 in this updated list. Centennial has earned wins over North Bakersfield, and have been undefeated in league play, but the loss to Sanger on January 6th, as well as the loss to Clovis High at the Edison MLK Showcase were the key reasons why I moved the G-Hawks down a few spots. Centennial has some big non-league games coming up against Bakersfield High on Wednesday and Bakersfield Christian on February 7th, along with 3 league opponents. If the G-Hawks fall to the two Bakersfield teams, it could get dropped down to D2 for the Section playoffs. As of now, it would likely be the #8 seed in an 8-team D1 format, but could easily be moved to D2. Ryan Shaw and [player_tooltip player_id='2932172' first='Giovanni' last='Fomusoh'] have been the consistent players leading the charge for the G-Hawks, as well as the Jimenez brothers and [player_tooltip player_id='3150628' first='Acen' last='Zuniga'].    13. (14) Fresno Christian Eagles (20-1)   The Eagles have continued to win games, with its best win coming over Kingsburg, and it moves up one spot to #13. The Eagles have only league opponents left and assuming it wins out, the Eagles will have the chance to be a top 4 seed in the D3 Section playoffs. Fresno Christian has been led by Leon Madec, George Madec, Tycen Ramirez, and the surrounding cast of players, who will look to get the Eagles back to a Section title game.    14. (15) South Bakersfield Spartans (18-7)   The Spartans move up one spot and come in at #14 in this updated list of team rankings. South Bakersfield has only one loss since the last time these team rankings were updated, as it would fall to Bakersfield High. The Spartans got a huge league win over North Bakersfield to take sole position of 1st place in the SYM League. It has three league games left with the rematch at North a week from Tuesday to determine the league champ, and will have an impact on postseason rankings for D3 Section playoffs. Gavin Christian and Cliff Willis, both surpassing the career 1000 point mark, have led the Spartans, and the surrounding cast will be huge down the stretch and the post-season.    15. (18) Atascadero Greyhounds (16-6)   The Greyhounds round out the Top 15 and move up three spots in this updated list. Atascadero has won 4 of its last 5 games, only losing to national power St. Joe's in league play. If the Greyhounds win out in league play, outside of the Knights, it will likely be moved up into the D2 Section playoffs and is set to get a top 4 seed, currently it would have the two seed if seedings were put out today and based on MaxPreps updated rankings. The win early this season against Clovis High could get the Greyhounds a top seed, but we shall see. Atascadero has been led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='2920237' first='Shea' last='Buckley'].   16. (NR) McLane Highlanders (Fresno) (17-7)   The Highlanders break back into the Top 20 of these team rankings at #16. The Highlanders have won its last 5 games and if it wins out, it will likely have the top seed in the D4 Section playoffs. Keyvon Burcher, Ladell Brooks, Demetrius Simon, and [player_tooltip player_id='2953953' first='Keshawn' last='Langenfeld'] have led the Highlanders this season. The wins over Hoover and Sanger West is why I have them at the 16 spot.   17. (19) Sanger West Hornets (Fresno) (22-3)   The Hornets move up 2 spots and come in at #17 in these updated team rankings. Sanger West has won 8 of its last 9 games, with the only loss coming to McLane of Fresno. The Hornets have been led by Kharon Parks, Jordan Ruffin, and Aedan Norton, and if it wins out, it will likely get the top seed in the D4 Section playoffs. Sanger West has one more game against McLane, which should determine the top seed in D4.    18. (NR) Central Valley Christian Cavaliers (Visalia)  (19-4)   Moving into the Top 20 and coming in at #18 is the Cavaliers, who have been hot of late, winning six of its last seven games and taking sole possession of first place in the Tri-County-Kings Canyon League. Despite the loss to Hoover, I put CVC here given its body of work and its hot streak of late. It has been led by Jayden Bergman and [player_tooltip player_id='3269168' first='Grant' last='Hyde'] and should have a top 8 seed in D3 Section playoffs.    19. (17) Justin Garza Guardians (Fresno) (16-7)   The Guardians have had a solid season and have had some good wins, but also some losses that probably should have gone the other way, with Hoover being one that stands out. Garza comes in at #19 in this updated list and are likely to be a top 4 seed in the D3 Section playoffs. The Guardians have been led by Josiah Wilson, [player_tooltip player_id='2956280' first='Payton' last='Powell'], Aaron Gonzalez, and the supporting cast. If it wins the rematch against Hoover, it could get a higher seed in D3.   20. (12) Kingsburg Vikings (17-6)   The Vikings round out the Top 20 and have one more trip through league play to try and get a revenge win over CVC to split the league title. Kingsburg is likely to have a top 4 seed in the D3 Playoffs, and could move up in the standings if it gets a win over CVC. Kingsburg has been led by Jensen Hirschkorn, [player_tooltip player_id='3271513' first='Peyton' last='Swiney'], Alex Hanzak, Izayah Perez, and the rest of the supporting cast.    Next Five Teams:    21. (13) North Bakersfield Stars (15-8)   22. (NR) Hoover Patriots (Fresno) (12-7)   23. (NR) Porterville Panthers (17-7)   24. (NR) Sanger Apaches (11-10)   25. (NR) Hanford Bullpups (9-14)

This is the last round of team rankings that I will do until the end of the regular season. The top 9 seeds are the same as the last round of team rankings, but some significant movement from 10-20. I also added my Next Five Team to compile my Top 25 teams. As the playoffs loom with the last two weeks of league play left, there are some key match-ups that could shake this list up when I update at the end of the regular season. We begin with the team that has had the top spot since the first round of team rankings back in early November.