This week’s Daily News boys basketball Top 10 rankings.
BOYS BASKETBALL TOP 10
(Records through Sunday, Dec. 29.)
1. Harvard-Westlake (15-1)
The Wolverines remain atop the rankings after three decisive wins in the Desert Holiday Classic. They defeated Bellevue (Washington), American Fork (Utah) and Puyallup (Washington) by an average of 31 points. Joe Sterling led the Wolverines in scoring with 22, 26 and 20 points, respectively. Harvard-Westlake travels to Arizona to face Perry on Thursday to kick off the Hoophall West tournament.
2. Notre Dame (13-1)
After falling to Roosevelt in the championship game of the Tarkanian Classic, Notre Dame responded with a resounding 70-43 victory over Sierra Vista, a top-ranked team from Nevada. Tyran Stokes led Notre Dame with 26 points. The Knights have a rematch with Layton Christian Academy, a team they beat 73-60 earlier this season, Thursday in the opening round of the Hoophall West tournament.
3. Heritage Christian (12-2)
The Warriors lost their first game of the season 52-43 to unbeaten St. John Bosco (14-0) in the Platinum Division of the Classic at Damien. The Warriors lost 64-51 the next day to another tough team, Redondo. Heritage Christian is going to finish play in the tournament against Clovis North, another top-ranked opponent, on Monday.
4. Sierra Canyon (11-2)
The Trailblazers keep stacking up wins, having defeated Venice and Dougherty Valley this past week. They continue to spread the scoring responsibilities among several players, with Bryce Cofield, Jayden Alexander, Chris Nwuli, Bryce James and Michael Baba all scoring in double figures against Venice. Sierra Canyon faces Santa Barbara in the Santa Barbara Holiday Classic Monday night.
5. Alemany (12-1)
The Warriors haven’t lost a game in December and kept their hot streak going with three wins in the South Pasadena Holiday tournament. Senior Paris Lassiter hit the game-winner in a 54-52 victory against Palisades. Alemany will conclude the tournament against host South Pasadena Monday night.
6. Chaminade (16-2)
The Eagles have won seven in a row including their last three games in the Holiday Classic tournament in San Diego. Senior Koby Nichols, junior Anthony Magee and freshman Brycen Butler have stepped up to shoulder some of the scoring load along with senior Jonas Thurman. Chaminade plays in the tournament championship game against Brentwood Monday night.
7. Crespi (12-4)
The Celts have been on a roll, winning five in a row including victories against Liberty (Arizona), Dublin and Campbell Hall in the Gold Division of The Classic at Damien. Senior Peyton White is averaging 20 points per game in the tournament and sophomores Carter and Isaiah Barnes are averaging 13.7 points and 13 points, respectively. Crespi takes on Canyon in a tournament championship game Monday night.
8. Campbell Hall (9-3)
The Vikings won their first two games in the Gold Division of The Classic at Damien against Redwood and Village Christian before dropping a semifinal contest 85-70 to Crespi. Colorado commit Isaiah Johnson has been on a scoring tear this year and dropped 34 points in back-to-back games. Campbell Hall plays Ironwood on Monday afternoon in a third-place game at Damien.
9. Canyon (13-4)
The Cowboys went on a 10-0 run late in the fourth quarter to tie their game against Saugus in the final of the Winter Slam Jam tournament, but lost 63-61 on a buzzer-beater. Canyon responded by winning its next three games handily, totaling a whopping 292 points in that span. A week after setting a Canyon 3-point record (eight made 3-pointers), senior Eric Kubel broke his own record by hitting 10 3-pointers. The Cowboys face Los Altos on Monday.
10. Chatsworth (10-3)
The Chancellors battled Inglewood in a first-round matchup in the Gold Division of The Classic at Damien, falling 88-84. Junior Alijah Arenas followed up his 34-point performance in that game with 56 points the next day in a 93-87 overtime loss to Prescott (Arizona). After back-to-back losses, Chatsworth broke through with a 66-63 overtime win against Crean Lutheran. Arenas finished with 33 points, seven rebounds and five assists in the victory. Chatsworth plays Etiwanda on Monday night to close out the tournament.