This week’s Daily News boys basketball Top 10 rankings.
BOYS BASKETBALL TOP 10
(Records through Sunday, Jan. 19)
1. Harvard-Westlake (20-1)
The Wolverines won their Mission League games last week against Alemany and Crespi. Nikolas Khamenia totaled 33 points and Amir Jones had 27 points in the two wins. Harvard-Westlake squares up with Loyola on the road Wednesday before a showdown with Notre Dame on Friday.
2. Notre Dame (17-3)
The Knights defeated Loyola and St. Francis last week to start their Mission League campaign. Notre Dame traveled to Massachusetts to take part in the Hoophall Classic over the weekend, falling to Columbus (Florida) 76-53. The Knights hope to have point guard Lino Mark back this week for their matchup against Harvard-Westlake on Friday.
3. Heritage Christian (19-2)
The Warriors have cruised to a 4-0 start in the Olympic League, beating rival Village Christian and Maranatha last week. Heritage Christian has a date with Valley Christian on Tuesday and then will travel to Alaska to take part in the Alaska Airlines Classic over the weekend.
4. Sierra Canyon (16-3)
Sierra Canyon sits tied atop the Mission League standings (2-0) with wins against Chaminade and Loyola last week. The Trailblazers took part in the Hoophall Classic, beating Grayson (Georgia) 60-46. Bryce James was named MVP of the game with a career-high 16 points, including four 3-pointers. Sierra Canyon has three league games on the road this week, starting with Crespi on Wednesday.
5. Crespi (16-5)
The Celts were able to keep things close against Harvard-Westlake even without star player Peyton White, who is nursing a hamstring injury. Crespi rebounded with a 71-63 win against St. Francis, led by Carter Barnes’ 21 points. Crespi will host Sierra Canyon on Wednesday and Chaminade on Friday.
6. Campbell Hall (11-5)
The Gold Coast League has been idle the last two weeks due to the Los Angeles wildfires. Play is set to resume this week, with the Vikings traveling to Crossroads on Tuesday and hosting Windward on Friday.
7. Oaks Christian (14-5)
The Lions leapfrog into the rankings with decisive victories over Agoura, Calabasas and Westlake last week. Coached by Mark Amaral, the Lions’ roster runs deep, led by Troy McGovern, Nick Giarrusso, Isayah Garcia and Stevie Amar. Oaks Christian will put its 3-0 Marmonte League record on the line in back-to-back games against Thousand Oaks on Tuesday and Wednesday.
8. Alemany (17-4)
The Warriors ran into the Harvard-Westlake buzzsaw to start their Mission League slate, but responded with a 59-52 league win over Chaminade. Alemany added another win to its record with an 89-25 drubbing of Valor Academy on Saturday. Alemany hosts Notre Dame on Wednesday and Loyola on Friday.
9. Canyon (17-5)
Sean Hernandez scored 11 points and hit the game-winner to lead Canyon to a 47-45 victory over Hart last week. The Cowboys fell to Saugus 65-57 on Friday, resulting in a three-way tie with Saugus and Valencia for first place with 5-2 records in the Foothill League. Canyon has a critical league game with West Ranch on Tuesday.
10. Chatsworth (12-6)
Chatsworth continues to test itself with its nonleague schedule to prepare for the CIF City Section postseason. The Chancellors won their first two West Valley League games last week against Granada Hills Charter and El Camino Real and lost to Pilibos 77-56 on Saturday. Chatsworth plays Taft on Wednesday followed by a Friday matchup with a Cleveland team currently on a nine-game winning streak.