polls 209

SoCal High School & Prep Report

Prelude to the Polls: How the LA Times
Top 10 Fared Last Week--(February 9, 1998)

Every week, usually on Tuesdays, the LA Times, along with others, issue their own "top 10" , Super 25, or other "top rankings" for high school teams across the country. Here's what happened to the LA Times (and most of the Daily News) Top 10 teams from the San Fernando, Simi, Conejo, Ventura and Pasadena areas performed. Note that based on some of these results, the polls will no doubt change. We've also included our predictions for what will be in the papers on Tuesday (or if it's like last week for the Times, Wednesday) when the polls are published:

1. Chaminade (Mission): 21-1

Defeated Alemany, 89-56; Defeated Crespi, 62-54; Defeated Harvard-Westlake, 71-64

SoCalHoops Predicted Rank: Still number 1; not much chance they'll lose this ranking unless they totally tank in the final week's games.

2. Simi Valley (Maramonte): 21-4

Defeated Thousand Oaks, 77-55; Lost to Newbury Park, 51-44

SoCalHoops Predicted Rank: They're dropping, and fast. If they don't drop to lower than No. 2--probably to No. 4 or 5, then we just don't understand what the "pollsters" are thinking. The They've now been beaten twice in one season by Newbury Park, which deserves to move up.

3. San Fernando (North Valley): 21-2

Defeated Granada Hills, 80-59; Defeated El Camino Real, 85-68

SoCalHoops Predicted Rank: Could move up in the rankings to No. 2, but in our view should most likely remain at No. 3. A team with a good record and some good players, but which does not play with a lot of intensity, and which could lose again before next week is up.

4. Newbury Park (Marmonte): 21-4

Defeated Royal, 89-56; Defeated Simi Valley, 51-44

SoCalHoops Predicted Rank: This Division II-AA school has defeated the mighty Simi Pioneers twice, and will win the Marmonte League. One of the best teams in the area. Should be No. 2, but will probably end up at No. 3.

5. Montclair Prep (Independent): 21-3

Defeated Silverado, 90-50; Defeated Oak Park 90-65

SoCalHoops Predicted Rank: Should move up to No. 4.

6. Valencia (Foothill): 19-5

Defeated Burroughs, 66-65; Defeated Burbank, 71-58

SoCalHoops Predicted Rank: Will probably stay right where they are.

7. Santa Paula (Frontier): 18-5

Defeated Santa Clara, 48-47; Lost to Moorpark, 82-57

SoCalHoops Predicted Rank: Will also probably stay right where they are, even though this team should probably move down at least one.

8. Channel Islands (Marmonte): 16-5

Defeated Agoura, 79-69; Vs. Thousand Oaks, postponed

SoCalHoops Predicted Rank: They should move down one, but through no fault of their own. Blame it on El Nino.

9. Antelope Valley (Golden): 16-8

Defeated Littlerock, 80-49; Lost to Palmdale, 66-64

SoCalHoops Predicted Rank: Say adios, amigos. There's no way they should now be ranked after the loss to Palmdale. Make room for Grant or North Hollywood.

10. Cleveland (West Valley): 16-7

Defeated Kennedy, 59-52; Lost to Chatsworth, 66-58

SoCalHoops Predicted Rank: All right, so they lost one. They should probably still be No. 10, but only if Grant is No. 9 or better.

Oh, and if the Times poll considers the Channel League--it does after all rank a Frontier League team-- Dos Pueblos should definitely be way up there, probably around the top 5.

Maybe we should do our own SoCalHoops poll? What do you think. Hmmmm. Maybe later.