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The Daily News boys basketball rankings as of Monday, Dec. 19.
DAILY NEWS BOYS BASKETBALL TOP 10
(Rank, team, record)
1. Harvard-Westlake (13-0): The Wolverines came back from Hoophall South in Arkansas with their unbeaten season intact after wins over Whitney Young (Illinois), 64-52, and Bentonville West (Arkansas), 60-48. Nikolas Khamenia is emerging as one of the top sophomores on the West Coast.
Last week’s rank: 1
2. Notre Dame (7-2): Knights were idle last week after an out-of-state trip. They’ll resume play against San Ysidro (San Diego) Tuesday night before a game at Campbell Hall Friday night.
Last week: 2
West Ranch boys basketball edges Village Christian in overtime thriller
3. West Ranch (8-0): The Wildcats survived a tough test at Village Christian on Friday night, edging the Crusaders 81-77 in overtime. West Ranch has Open Division talent and aspirations. The litmus test for that will come in the Classic at Damien’s platinum division starting Dec. 27.
Last week: 4
4. Sierra Canyon (7-2): The Trailblazers suffered their second loss of the season in Columbus, Ohio Saturday night to St. Vincent-St. Mary 67-61 in front of 7,600 at Nationwide Arena. Isaiah Elohim scored 24 points in a game Sierra Canyon made just one 3.
Last week: 3
Sierra Canyon, Bronny James can’t overcome shooting woes in loss to St. Vincent-St. Mary
5. Village Christian (10-2): The Crusaders stay at No. 5 despite an overtime loss to West Ranch. Their only two losses this season are to Open Division-quality Bishop Montgomery and the Wildcats.
Last week: 5
6. St. Francis (11-2): Jackson Mosley has led the Golden Knights to double digit wins before Christmas. St. Francis will get the services of transfer wing Mazi Mosley at the Classic at Damien (Silver Division), which starts Monday.
Last week: 7
7. Oak Park (8-4): The Eagles fell out of the Daily News top 10 rankings earlier this season, but emerge back into the fold with a quality 52-47 win over Crespi Saturday night at Cal Lutheran University. Isaiah Sherrard had 18 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks.
Last week: Not ranked
Andrew Meadow, Isaiah Sherrard top the area’s basketball forwards and centers to watch
8. Crespi (10-2): The Celts have shown their youth in big games early in the season, falling to Oxnard and Oak Park. Good news is the team is already winning it should despite three freshmen and a sophomore as its core.
Last week: 6
9. Oaks Christian (11-0): The Lions have been the surprise of the season thus far going unbeaten in their first 11 games, highlighted by a shocking win over Heritage Christian. They have a chance to win this week’s Faith Baptist tournament but it’s likely going to take beating Grant (also unbeaten) and Saugus to do so.
Last week: 8
10. Heritage Christian (7-2): The Warriors have lost two in a row, including a narrow defeat to Mater Dei 65-58 in Santa Ana. Heritage Christian has been battling injuries and will look to get healthy for the Classic at Damien (Gold Division) that starts Dec. 27.
Last week: 7
Bubble teams: Agoura (8-4); Simi Valley (8-4); Saugus (5-3); Grant (4-0); Thousand Oaks (8-1); Campbell Hall (6-4)
