Etiwanda, Santa Margarita climb in SoCal ratings

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LAGUNA NIGUEL, Ca. – The most telling results of last week’s SoCal high school boys’ hoops action were the wins by Etiwanda (at Damien) and Santa Margarita (at home, in OT, against St. John Bosco.

Each of those squads is among the Top 12 in the updated BurlisonOnBasketball “21 for 2021” SoCal ratings.

21 for 2021

1. Sierra Canyon (2-0/Southern Section D1)

Comment: Three games this week scheduled, toughest (by far) of which should be home Saturday clash with Santa Maria St. Joseph. Junior transfers Ramel Lloyd Jr. (Taft) and Alpha Chimbambe (JSerra) still not cleared to play. Another junior, Amari Bailey (pictured), is the key element in the challenge for a third consecutive CIF SS Open title.

2. Ribet Academy (0-0/SS D1)

Comment: The Fighting Frogs had a recent COVID-19 setback (set to return to practice Wednesday) but scheduled to make debut at home, Saturday, vs. Agoura. Roster’s depth has taken hit with loss of two key players to knee and ankle surgery

3. Mater Dei (10-0/SS D1)

Comment: Five games in six days this week, with toughest challenges likely coming from Fairmont Prep (Monday night) and No. 12 Santa Margarita (Friday), each in The House That Gary Built.

4. Etiwanda (2-0)/SS D1)

Comment: Baseline games Tuesday (home to Chino Hills) and Friday (at Rancho Cucamonga). Looked like another Open Division title challenger in debut at Damien last week.

5. Damien (17-1/SS D1)

Comment: Baseline games Tuesday (home to Los Osos/KDOC televising) and Friday (Chino Hills). Pencil in May 7 on your “To Watch” calendar when Spartans visit Etiwanda for rematch.

6. Saint John Bosco (9-1/SS D1)

Comment: This week is “manageable”, barring unforeseen slip-ups or sloppiness, with games vs. home Trinity contests with Orange Lutheran and JSerra, and a Saturday non-league tilt with Capistrano Valley Christian. Next week’s results will impact both the Trinity League standings and the Open Division playoff field – May 5 at Mater Dei and May 7 home rematch with Santa Margarita.

7. Westchester (0-0/L.A. City D1)

Comment: You’re guess is as good as mine as to when L.A. City Section teams will finally get on the floor for “real” games.

8. Windward (6-1/SS D1)

Comment: Three road games this week before key league clash on May 4 vs. top-ranked Sierra Canyon.

9. Harvard-Westlake (8-2/SS D1)

Comment: Next four Mission games are all on the road before May 12 home rematch with Chaminade.

10. Long Beach Poly (3-0/SS 2AA)

Comment: Moore League games this week with Wilson (Wednesday) and Lakewood (Friday). But the most significant games on the Jackrabbits’ schedule – relative to being in the Open Division or the top seed in 2AA – will be neutral site games with Corona Centennial (Saturday), Windward (May 8) and St. John Bosco (May 14 or 15).

11. Corona Centennial (6-1/SS D1)

Comment: Busy – and challenging – week for the Huskies. At home Tuesday (vs. Norco) and Thursday (against No. 18 Roosevelt) for league games, and then take on No. 10 Long Beach Poly Saturday at Rancho Christian.

12. Santa Margarita (7-0/SS D1)

Comment: Trinity “showdown” game at Mater Dei Friday will lost luster if the Eagles can’t take care of business at Orange Lutheran Wednesday.

13. Heritage Christian (9-3/SS D1)

Comment: Until the Warriors are healthy – four starters were missing in a loss at Bakersfield Christian last week; a team they’d beaten by 22 points a full strength – any rating I give them is moot.

14. Chaminade (6-1/SS D1)

Comment: Games with Santa Clarita Christian (Saturday) and Rancho Christian (May 8) could be toughest obstacles before May 12 Mission visit to Harvard-Westlake.

15. Fairfax (0-2/L.A. City D1)

Comment: Ditto the Westchester comment.

16. Saint Anthony (5-0/SS D1)

Comment: Non-league visit to Loyola Monday before Del Rey League clash with St. Bernard in Long Beach Wednesday.

17. Capistrano Valley (6-0/SS D1)

Comment: Decisive win over Fairmont Prep on April 17 all the more impressive now considering how tough the Huskies played Centennial Friday night in Anaheim.

18. West Ranch (2-0/SS 2A)

Comment: Can’t imagine anyone better in 2A right now.

19. Eastvale Roosevelt (5-0/SS D1)

Comment: Visits No. 10 Centennial Thursday in matchup of two-best teams in Riverside County.

20. Colony (7-1/SS 2AA)

Comment: Margin of victory 25.0 ppg.

21. Fairmont Prep (3-2/SS D1)

Comment: Visits No. 3 for a third pop at a Top 21 opponent, with losses to No. 11 Centennial and No. 17 Capistrano Valley.