Mt. San Antonio Makes Major Move; Mt. San Jacinto, Cabrillo Fall After Upsets

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1. West Valley (14-0) — West Valley remains the state's only unbeaten team. The Vikings are trying to become the fifth team win the state championship as an undefeated team. West Valley will out its undefeated season on the line this week with a trip to No. 5 San Francisco. Friday's game will be the two powerhouse program's second meeting of the season. The first meeting was one San Francisco City would like to forget – a 42-point loss on Dec. 16 in a semifinal game at the San Joaquin Delta.

2. West LA (12-2) — With Mt. San Jacinto and Cabrillo suffering their first losses of the season, it opened the door for West LA, winners of nine straight to move into the No. 2 slot. During its run, West LA has beaten two currently ranked teams, one being San Diego City. West LA opens Western State-South play this week. The Wildcats appear to be the favorite for the division title.

3. San Diego City (11-3) — Since losing to West LA, San Diego City has punished the opposition. The Knights have won consecutive Pacific Coast Athletic Conference games by 32 and 38 points. Look for it to continue as San Diego City easily wins the conference title and then locks up a top four regional seed.

4. Fullerton (11-3) — Since losing to San Diego City on December 8, Fullerton is a perfect 4-0. The Hornets, the defending state championships, have won their first two conference games. This week, Fullerton takes on its only competition for the Orange Empire Conference title — Santiago Canyon at home on Friday.

5. San Francisco City (12-3) — Since being embarrassed by West Valley on Dec. 16, San Francisco City has won consecutive games, including a 93-61 rout of San Jose City, a previous top 10 team. The Rams get a shot at redemption on Friday when West Valley visits San Francisco City.

6. Sequoias (11-2) — Sequoias has won seven straight games since losing its second game to San Francisco City. The Giants host Hartnell this week in their only game before opening Central Valley Conference play next week at Columbia, one of three other colleges who figure to compete for the conference title.

7. Mt. San Jacinto (14-1) — Mt. San Jacinto Eagles fall from its perch at No. 2 this week after losing to Cerro Coso in Ridgecrest to open Inland Empire Athletic Conference play. In its only game this week, Mt. San Jacinto hosts No. 29 San Bernardino Valley, the defending conference champion, in a key match up.

8. Cabrillo (14-1) — Like Mt. San Jacinto, Cabrillo finds itself clinging to a top-10 ranking. Moments after moving to No. 3 in the last poll, Cabrillo suffered its first loss of the season – 75-74 to then-unranked Ohlone. Since the defeat, Cabrillo has beaten Shasta and Redwoods. This week, Cabrillo will host its final non-conference contest when they travel to Canada.

9. Mt. San Antonio (11-1) — Mt. San Antonio has easily been the most active program in the poll the last few weeks. The Mounties began the year unranked – state or the region – but this week find themselves inside the top 10. Two weeks ago, the Mounties were ranked No. 14. Coming into this week, Mt. San Antonio has won 11 of 12 games this season, lone loss coming on the road at Chaffey in overtime. The Mounties will play their five South Coast Conference crossover games before opening division play where they now become the favorite.

10. Yuba (12-2) — Yuba retains its No. 10 ranking for the second consecutive poll. The 49'ers, winners of six straight, has begun Bay Valley Conference play with consecutive wins. This week, Yuba visits Alameda in its only game. Yuba is one of only two colleges in the conference with a winning record, meaning its hold on a top 10 slot moving forward may be tough.

11. Sacramento City (13-1) — Sacramento City and pollsters have put the Panthers' lone loss (73-67 to Fresno on Dec. 8) in the rearview mirror. Since the loss, Sacramento City has four straight contests, including a victory over Santa Rosa, a program that stood as a threat to the Panthers' conference title hopes. This week, Sacramento City climbs six slots as it prepares to host American River.

12. San Jose City (12-3) — San Jose City falls out of the top 10 after a 32-point loss to San Francisco City. This week, San Jose City hosts No. 14 Chabot in a key game in the standings and the Winning Percentage Index, which will be released later today.

13. Merced (11-2) — Riding a nine-game win streak, Merced began moving up the poll, climbing from No. 18 a month ago to No. 12 in the last poll. The momentum stalled when Canada scored an 81-76 overtime in over the Blue Devils. Merced has a final non-conference contest remaining – vs. No. 24 Monterey before beginning Central Valley Conference competition. The conference has four teams ranked in this week's poll.

14. Chabot (12-3) — Since losing consecutive games in November, Chabot has been on a tear, winning nine of its last 10 games. Its lone loss was to No. 1 West Valley by 11 points. All that winning has kept Chabot in the top 15. Chabot has an opportunity to make a statement for higher ranking when the Gladiators travel to take on No. 12 San Jose City.

15. Moorpark (11-4) — After climbing to No. 11, Moorpark falls back to No. 15 after surprising a loss to unranked MiraCosta. Moorpark hosts No. 26 Citrus this week prior to opening Western State-North play. The Raiders are expected to fight it out with Allan Hancock for the division title.

16. Allan Hancock (11-4) — Speaking of the Bulldogs, Allan Hancock moves two spots this week. Since losing three consecutive contests, Allan Hancock has won seven straight games, two against ranked opponents (West Hills-Lemoore and Monterey). Like Moorpark, which figures to battle the Bulldogs for the division title, the Bulldogs take on ranked Citrus in its only game this week.

17. Columbia (12-2) — Columbia has lost two of its last four games, one being an eight-point loss to unranked Gavilan. Columbia will need a strong showing in the Central Valley Conference race to move back into the top 15. The Claim Jumpers can stake an early claim to the conference title on January 10 with a victory over conference favorite and No. 7 Sequoias.

18. Cerro Coso (12-2) — Cerro Coso's victory over Mt. San Jacinto cost the Eagles more than it benefitted Cerro Coso. The Coyotes only climbed two spots in this week's poll after its 13-poiint victory over previous No. 2 Mt. San Jacinto. Only guess is pollsters are waiting to see if Cerro Coso is a real threat to the old guard in the Inland Empire Athletic Conference. January 10 at San Bernardino Valley will be a good measuring tool.

19. Las Positas (12-3) — Las Positas won three games since the last poll, but the victories did little to move Las Positas from its previous No. 19 ranking. Could it be that pollsters see las Positas as the third best team in the Coast-North? This week, Las Positas hosts Gavilan this week before the start of conference play which will include Chabot (12-3), San Francisco City (12-3), Skyline (11-3), and perhaps even Ohlone (10-6) and Canada (9-6).

20. Santiago Canyon (11-3) — Santiago Canyon breaks into the top 20 this week. Can't believe I'm saying this, but the Hawks appear to be the only real threat to Fullerton for the conference title. The Orange Empire Conference is traditionally one of the toughest conference championships to win in the state. However, this year, it appears to be a two-team race between Fullerton and Santiago Canyon. Santiago Canyon begins conference play this week at home against Santa Ana and then travels to Fullerton on Friday.

21. Chaffey (12-2) — Chaffey might be the quietest top 30 team. The Panthers are known to capture huge prey. And they did that with its overtime win over Mt. San Antonio. Unfortunately, the Panthers, winners of 10 of its last 11 games, were captured by Santa Monica shortly after. Since falling to Santa Monica, Chaffey has won four straight, including two Inland Empire Athletic Conference games. We'll see how serious Chaffey is about a higher ranking and winning a conference title on Jan. 3 when the Panthers host the Wolverines of San Bernardino Valley.

22. Skyline (11-3) — The last nine spots in this week's poll were determined by one vote. Skyline is one of four Coast-North programs which begin the week with double digit wins. This week, the Trojans host Feather River and then travel to No. 24 Monterey before beginning division play.

23. LA Southwest (8-4) — LA Southwest slips three spots this week after splitting its last four contests. The Cougars are the favorite in the South Coast-South race. Unfortunately, the division is nothing like it has been. Outside of LA Southwest, none of the other five programs begin the year with a record above .500. LA Southwest, which is 6-4 in its last 10 games, will play six crossover games, including games against a hot East LA team, winners of four straight games, and No. 6 Mt. San Antonio.

24. West Hills Lemoore (10-3) — West Hills-Lemoore maintains its top 25 ranking by coming in at No. 24 this week. The Golden Eagles begin Central Valley Conference play next week.

25. Monterey (11-3) — When Monterey steps on the floor at Merced today, it will mark 17 days since the Lobos last played. Monterey is 4-2 in its last six games. The Lobos will need to hit the floor running with games against ranked opponents — traveling to Merced and then hosting Skyline before starting division play next week.

26. Ohlone (10-6) — Ohlone becomes the fifth college from the Coast-North to be ranked, coming in at No. 26 this week. The Renegades make the top 30 after upsetting previously unbeaten Cabrillo. Could be a short stay as Ohlone opens conference play next week vs. Skyline; at Las Positas; vs. San Francisco City.

27. San Bernardino Valley (9-5) — After losing five of its first eight games of the season, San Bernardino Valley has been on a tear. The Wolverines were a perfect 6-0 in December, with wins over East Los Angeles, Saddleback, Ventura, Riverside, Copper Mountain and Desert. San Bernardino Valley has an opportunity to really send a message over the next 10 days as the Wolverines travel to Chaffey (Jan. 3) and Mt. San Jacinto (Jan. 6) before hosting Cerro Coso on Jan. 10.

28. Citrus (8-4) — Citrus continues to hover in the state poll, but just barely. The Owls began the year by winning six of its first seven games, but since it has been a roller coaster with just two wins in its last five games. Doesn't get any easier, with a game at Moorpark today and then hosting Allan Hancock on Jan. 5. 

29. Cosumnes River (9-5) — Cosumnes River has won 7 of its last 10 games, including its first two Big Eight Conference games. The Hawks continue conference play at Sierra and then home to Santa Rosa in a key game. 

30. East Los Angeles (7-5) — East Los Angeles returns to the state poll after edging out three other colleges. The Huskies appear to have found is bark with four consecutive wins to close out 2023. East Los Angeles begins a series of South Coast Conference crossover contests before beginning divisional play later this month.