Unbeatens lead BurlisonOnBasketball ratings

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LAGUNA NIGUEL, Ca. – The top-two teams in the updated BurlisonOnBasketball Southern California high school rankings are set to play during the James “Sam” Sampson State Preview at L.A. Fairfax High on the evening of Jan. 30.

But let’s hold our collective horses before becoming too giddy about the possibility that Chino Hills (13-0) and Torrance Bishop Montgomery (14-0) will both still be unbeaten when they finally meet on the court at Fairfax.

And here’s why:

*The Lonzo Ball-led Huskies play No. 8 Foothills Christian on Saturday; Highpoint Christian (of North Carolina; led by Kentucky-bound Edrice Adebayo) in the HoopHall Classic in Springfield, MA, on Jan. 18; and at Baseline League foes in No. 10 Damien and Etiwanda before taking on the Knights at Fairfax.

*Coach Doug Mitchell’s Bishop Montgomery club also has a lot on its figurative plate before heading to Fairfax: one of the better L.A. City teams (Narbonne); a strong (albeit short-handed by injury) Southern Section team in Long Beach Poly; and five Del Rey League games.

And Monday is the day that “30-day sit-outs” become eligible to play for their new programs.

Among the squads that are expected to be impacted (perhaps significantly) by the player additions are Woodland Hills Taft, Inglewood, Montebello Cantwell-Sacred Heart and L.A. Cathedral.

Updated Southern California Top 15 teams (Southern, L.A. City and San Diego sections)

(Record plus previous ratings)

1. Chino Hills (13-0/#1)

COMMENT: The Huskies captured the “Battle Zone” (Corona Centennial), City of Palms (Ft. Myers, FL) and MaxPreps Holiday Classic/Open Division (Rancho Mirage), with Lonzo Ball selected Most Outstanding Player at each. Next: vs. No. 8 Foothills Christian (Saturday, 6:45 p.m., at Sierra Canyon Challenge).

2. Torrance Bishop Montgomery (14-0/#2)

COMMENT: The Knights were 3-for-3 in tournaments (Westchester-Trevor Ariza/Mission Prep/and D-I Bound at Dorsey), with junior Ethan Thompson sandwiching classmate Jordan Schackel for event MVP honors. Next: play host to Narbonne (Wednesday, 7 p.m.).

3. Chatsworth Sierra Canyon (9-1/#4)

COMMENT: The Trailblazers rallied to knock off prep school power La Lumiere (La Porte, IN) in the championship game of the Iolani Tournament on Honolulu on Dec. 22. But the biggest news came Saturday when Coach Ty Nichols confirmed that 6-10 sophomore Marvin Bagley Jr. (who attended Corona del Sol in Tempe, AZ, as a freshman) would begin classes at the school on Monday. And in some more news, junior forward Ira Lee (probably the program’s best player) checked out of school Monday and is now likely to be playing for Prolific Prep in Napa (CA) before too long. Dizzying, eh? Next: Play host to Windward Thursday at 7 in a Gold Coast League opener.

4. Fairfax (12-1/#9)

COMMENT: The Lions have been mild surprises this season (considering their personnel losses from their 2014-15 L.A. City championship and State Southern Regional Open runner-up teams). They whacked Corona Centennial in the MaxPreps Holiday Classic National Division championship game on Dec. 30 at Torrey Pines. Next: vs. Lake Balboa Birmingham (Huntington Park Tournament, Monday, 7 p.m., L.A. Roybal High).

5. Santa Ana Mater Dei (13-2/#3)

COMMENT: The Monarchs’ only defeats came to one-loss squads in Washington, DC, St. John’s and Cincinnati Moeller during the Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach, SC. Next: They open Trinity League play at Orange Lutheran, Tuesday, 7 p.m.

6. Redondo Beach Redondo Union (11-3/#7)

COMMENT: Three nights after losing to Chino Hills in the championship game of the Open Division of the MaxPreps Holiday Classic at Rancho Mirage High, the Sea Hawks overcame an ugly shooting performance in the first half to knock off Santa Margarita during Saturday’s Take Flight Challenge they hosted. Next: vs. Riverside JW North (4:30, L.A. Westchester Challenge).

7. Corona Centennial (10-4/#6)

COMMENT: By Saturday night the Huskies will have played their sixth game without UCLA-bound center Ike Anigbogu (who has been in Nigeria with his family since before Christmas). They are 3-2 in that stretch, with the losses to No. 4 Fairfax and No. 2 Bishop Montgomery and a win vs. No. 8 Foothills Christian. Next: vs. L.A. Westchester (Saturday, 6 p.m., Westchester Challenge).

8. El Cajon Foothills Christian (8-2/#5)

COMMENT: There will be a rematch Saturday at Sierra Canyon against top-ranked Chino Hills, which beat the Knights, 106-86, on Dec. 5. Next: vs. San Diego Christian Academy (Wednesday, 6, Cuyamaca College).

9. Encino Crespi (14-1/#10)

COMMENT: Since being stunned by Rancho Palos Verdes Peninsula in their opener three nights before Thanksgiving, the Celtics have zipped off 14 wins. Next: They open Mission League play Monday night with a 7 o’clock home game vs. St. Francis.

10. La Verne Damien (15-1/#12)

COMMENT: The Spartans were easily the most impressive of the “non-Open Division” teams at the MaxPreps Holiday Classic last week. Next: They open Baseline League action on Jan. 12 at home to Rancho Cucamonga.

11. San Diego St. Augustine (10-2/#11)

COMMENT: The Saints could have a rematch with Foothills Christian (which beat them during the National Division championship quarterfinals at Torrey Pines last week) during the San Diego Section’s Open Division playoffs. Next: vs. Bellflower St. John Bosco (Tuesday, home, 6 p.m.).

12. Rancho Santa Margarita/Santa Margarita (9-5/#13)

COMMENT: The Eagles’ losses have come to No. 2 Bishop Montgomery, No. 6 Redondo and No. 11 St. Augustine, as well as to one of the best teams in Northern California (Folsom) and the best team in Wisconsin (Milwaukee Rufus King). Next: They open the Trinity League portion of their schedule by playing host to San Juan Capistrano JSerra Friday night at 7.

13. Santa Monica (11-2/#UR)

COMMENT: The Vikings continued as one of the bigger early surprises of the season by knocking off Pasadena Maranatha Saturday during the Take Flight Challenge at Redondo High. They’ll get tough challenges in the Ocean League from Beverly Hills and Leuzinger. Next: They play host to Palisades in a non-league game Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.

14. Inglewood (11-4/#UR)

COMMENT: The Sentinels’ games with Redondo will determine the ultimate winner of the Ocean League and will help shape CIF SS Open Division playoff seeding and bracketing.   Next: They play host to a non-league game with Serra on Wednesday night at 7 o’clock.

15. Los Alamitos (12-3/#UR)

COMMENT: The lopsided loss to Eastvale Roosevelt in the title game of the American Division of the Under Armour Holiday at Classic at Torrey Pines High on Dec. 30 was deceiving – seven players were held out for (according to a source) curfew violation, including the best player in Orange County, guard Eyassu Worku. Next: They play host to Buena Park (Wednesday, 7 p.m.).

Tapping at the window (alphabetical): Mission Hills Alemany 9-4, Chino Hills Ayala 12-2, Montebello Cantwell-Sacred Heart 9-4, San Diego Cathedral Catholic 7-4, L.A. Cathedral 6-8, Compton 7-6, Etiwanda 10-4, Orange Lutheran 12-2, Harbor City Narbonne 6-4, Long Beach Poly 7-6, Moreno Valley Rancho Verde 14-0, Eastvale Roosevelt 9-5, Villa Park 10-4, Woodland Hills Taft 10-3 and L.A. Westchester 10-5.