For the third straight week, Providence (Division 4A) and Santa Clara (Division 5AA) lead their respective divisions in the latest CIF-Southern Section boys’ basketball rankings released Jan. 22.

In Division 1, Bishop Montgomery is fifth, Mater Dei sixth, St. John Bosco seventh, Damien ninth, Santa Margarita tenth, Loyola 13th and Crespi 14th. Elsewhere:

  • D-2AA: Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks sixth and Cathedral 14th.
  • D-3AA: St. Francis fourth and Paraclete eighth.
  • D-3A: Mary Star seventh, Salesian eighth and St. Bonaventure 16th.

Girls’ basketball

St. Bonaventure continues to lead Division 3A, the best divisional ranking among local Catholic school girls’ basketball teams. In other CIF-SS divisional polls released Jan. 22:

  • D-1: Bishop Montgomery fourth, Mater Dei sixth, Rosary seventh, Serra ninth and Chaminade 12th.
  • D-2AA: St. Paul seventh.
  • D-2A: St. Mary’s Academy second.
  • D-4AA: Marymount third and Providence seventh.
  • D-4A: St. Genevieve 14th.
  • D-5AA: Immaculate Heart 15th.
  • D-5A: Villanova fifth and Bishop Conaty-Loretto ninth.

Boys’ soccer

Again, Loyola, Cathedral and Servite were listed 1-2-4 in
Division 1 in the Jan. 22 rankings, with Mater Dei seventh. In D-7, Paraclete remained fourth and Bishop Diego eighth.

Girls’ soccer

J.Serra again was first in Division 1, with Santa Margarita ninth. Bishop Amat was ninth in D-2; La Salle, second in D-4; St. Genevieve, third in D-5; Pomona Catholic, third in D-6; and St. Bonaventure eighth and St. Monica Academy ninth in D-7. 

Girls’ water polo

Villanova Prep remained second in Division 6 in the Jan. 22 poll. In the combined Divisions 1 & 2 poll, Mater Dei is tenth, and Santa Margarita 11th.

Playoff brackets

With winter sports post-season action nearly at hand, playoff brackets for team sports will be announced by the CIF-SS as follows:

Boys’ wrestling: Jan. 24. Team finals are Jan. 26, individual finals Feb. 8 and 9, and state championships Feb. 22 and 23.

Girls’ wrestling: No playoff brackets. Regional qualifying tournament is Feb. 9, and championships Feb. 15 and 16.

Girls’ water polo: Feb. 2. Playoffs start Feb. 5, finals Feb. 16, and state regionals Feb. 22 and 23.

Boys’ and girls’ soccer: Feb. 2. Playoffs start Feb. 4 and 5, finals are Feb. 22 and 23, and Southern Regionals are Feb. 26 to March 2.

Boys’ and girls’ basketball: Feb. 3. Playoffs start Feb. 5 and 6, finals are Feb. 23, Southern Regionals are Feb. 26 through March 5, and state championships are March 8 and 9.

Spring sports

The CIF-SS Spring Sports’ opening dates are: Feb. 9 for baseball and softball; Feb. 11 for boys’ tennis; Feb. 16 for swimming, track & field, and boys’ volleyball; and Feb. 23 for badminton, gymnastics, and boys’ golf. 

Mike Nelson is the former editor of The Tidings (predecessor of Angelus News). 

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