LA Daily News boys basketball Top 15 rankings, Dec. 22:
1. Sierra Canyon (8-1): The Trailblazers thumped Crean Lutheran 69-40 at home Saturday night in what was supposed to be an Open Division-level playoff matchup. Sophomore Jordan Mize is emerging as one of California’s top prospects.
2. Notre Dame (6-2): The Knights’ only losses are to Santa Margarita and Millennium of Arizona.
3. Harvard-Westlake (13-2): Joe Sterling is playing like a national recruit, and a Texas commit. The Wolverines’ only losses are to St. John Bosco and Owyhee of Idaho.
4. Crespi (8-4): The Celts are challenging themselves and improving. Nice wins over Rancho Cucamonga and Windward. Transfer Jasiah Williams is eligible, and has an immediate impact.
5. Village Christian (8-4): The Crusaders have cooled off a bit, but this is still a top team in the area.
6. Thousand Oaks (10-0): Lancers knocked off previously-unbeaten Chaminade 67-56 and take on Alemany this week for a chance to beat two Mission League teams in a row.
7. St. Francis (9-2): Golden Knights have won seven in a row.
8. Alemany (10-1): Warriors have games against Thousand Oaks and Milken this week.
9. Chaminade (12-1): Eagles come back down to earth after a loss to Thousand Oaks.
10. Knight (11-3): The Hawks won seven of the last eight before falling to George Washington of Colorado at the Tarkanian Classic.
11. Heritage Christian (8-2): Warriors can make a big jump before the new year with a tournament in Nashville. Dominic Loehle and Eli Simmons are a nice one-two punch.
12. Legacy Christian (7-5): Gearing up to make noise in the Classic at Damien’s Diamond Division.
13. Oaks Christian (13-1): Lions will learn a lot about themselves in Las Vegas at the Tarkanian Classic.
14. Cleveland (5-4): Cavs are in the Silver Division at the Classic at Damien
15. Golden Valley (7-4): Golden Valley is currently 3-0 in the Foothill League, including wins over West Ranch and Hart.