The Times’ preseason top 25 boys’ basketball rankings
A preseason preview of the Southland’s top 25 high school basketball teams:
Rk. School: Comment
1. SIERRA CANYON: The Pioneers can go 10 deep and have the elite trio of Maximo Adams, Brandon McCoy and Brannon Martinsen.
2. SANTA MARGARITA: Four returning starters, led by Georgia Tech, commit Kaiden Baley.
3. HARVARD-WESTLAKE: The Wolverines always find a way to improve overseas when top players graduate, and this season will be no different as Pierce Thompson becomes the latest new star.
4. SHERMAN OAKS NOTRE DAME: Lacking size, the Knights compensate with great intensity, led by San Diego State commit Zachary White.
5.ST. JOHN BOSCO: Christian Collins is 6-foot-9 and could be the No. 1 recruit in Southern California.
6. REDONDO UNION: SJ Madison leads a strong group of returnees and newcomers.
7. CRESPI: This is year No. 3 for coach Derek Fisher and the Barnes twins, so watch out.
8. MATER DEI: Kansas-bound Luke Barnett scored 55 points in one game last season and he’s even better now.
9. CORONA CENTENNIAL: It’s time for coach Josh Giles to unleash his final group of shooters.
10. FAIRMONT PREP: Plenty of talented transfers could put this team in Open Division territory.
11. JSERRA: The Lions have strong, physical and talented men to lead the way.
12. ROLLING HILLS PREP: Nick Welch Jr., a 6-10 junior, is going to cause problems this season.
13. LA MIRADA: Junior Gene Roebuck is a prolific scorer.
14. WINDWARD: Davey Harris is ready to show he is the best player in the Gold Coast League.
15. DAMIEN: This is year No. 52 for coach Mike LeDuc, who counts Eli Garner among his best players.
16. SAN GABRIEL ACADEMY: All signs point to this being a team to be reckoned with.
17. CAMPBELL HALL: If new coach Vonn Webb makes a smooth transition, the Vikings’ veteran players will make an impact.
18. LA HABRA; It’s as simple as this: trust exceptional playmaker Acen Jimenez to achieve victories.
19. ARCADIA: Five starters are back for the Apaches, who have big dreams and big plans.
20. PASADENA: 6-11 Josh Irving is poised for his best season yet.
21. CROSSROADS: If Evan Willis and Shalen Sheppard become eligible after the transfer, everything changes.
22. ETIWANDA: Veteran players make the Eagles look big.
23. RANCHO CHRISTIAN: Another ambitious program with matches against Sierra Canyon, Etiwanda and La Mirada.
24. LONG BEACH POLY: 6-9 Jonas Oware is a Yale commit.
25.ST. FRANCIS: 7-4 Cherif Millogo will excite the fans and make a huge impact.
