I’ve never really put much stock into rankings (especially my own) because they really don’t mean much – with the exception of the final CIF-SS poll used to determined playoff seeding. However, for whoever is interested, here is this year’s first Whittier Daily News Boys Basketball Rankings of the new year. This will run in Wednesday’s paper.
1. Montebello (15-2)
Montebello Oilers Darius Middleton (24) takes a shot from outside against Maranatha
Much like La Habra in football, this year’s Montebello basketball squad is clearly the best team in the area.
The Oilers have backed up that ranking locally with wins over La Serna (71-37), Santa Fe (76-43) and Whittier Christian (59-44).
Montebello, the La Salle/Temple City Holiday Classic champion, has won eight straight and begins league play today at Bell Gardens. It would be surprising if the Oilers didn’t sweep through league.
2. Whittier Christian (13-4)
It’s about time to start abusing the pun “It’s Miller Time”
The Heralds showed a true glimpse of their potential last year and are even better this year. There wasn’t a more thrilling finish this year than when Whittier Christian’s Miller Brown sank a 16-footer in overtime to beat city big brother La Habra, 76-74, last week.
Whittier Christian has a true test on Tuesday in hosting Maranatha, which lost to powerhouse Montebello by a solid score of 60-54.
The good news is that the Minutemen enter the game on a bit of a slide, having dropped three straight games.
3. La Serna (10-5)
Quarterback Andrew Buenrostro is putting the power in power forward
As the philosopher Biff Tannen once said, “well looky what we have here.”
The Lancers opened the season with four losses and looked doomed. However, coach Mike Lowe knew his team would struggle early on, especially since a couple of players were on the football and boys water polo teams.
The Lancers have rallied since their tough start by winning 10 of their last 11 games.
La Serna certainly has an interesting week, first trying to avoid an upset loss to Pioneer on Wednesday a year after the Titans sank the Cardinals 55-54.
La Serna then hosts league rival Whittier (11-7) on Friday before running the gauntlet on Saturday at home versus Whittier Christian (13-4).
4. Whittier (11-7)
Who needs 3D glasses when Tim Gordon is flying into your face
I like Whittier a lot but I’ll admit the Downey loss bothered me. The problem I’ve seen with the Cardinals this year is their trouble in putting opponents away.
Even against California last Friday, Whittier was up by 15 midway through the second quarter but allowed the Condors to hang around for most of the rest of the game. In fact, California trailed by nine points late in the third.
The team is talented and Gary Matthews is a definite high flier. The game against La Serna is a definite must-see.
5. Santa Fe (9-8)
Santa Fe’s Jose Rocha goes for a rebound as the Chiefs play Warren
Don’t look now but the Chiefs have some room to grab momentum. After a 38-31 win over Pioneer, the Chiefs have winnable games versus California and El Rancho this week before facing before facing La Serna and Whittier the following week.
I like coach Leonard Romero’s philosophy, though. He’s not looking past California and the game does offer the Chiefs a chance to learn how to win league games on the road.
On the bubble: Pioneer (7-11) and La Habra (6-11).
