The Press-Telegram’s rankings of the top high school girls basketball teams in the Long Beach area. The CIF-Southern Section playoffs begin next week.
GIRLS BASKETBALL TOP 10
(Records through Tuesday, Jan. 30)
1. St. Anthony (19-7): The Saints will finish second in the Del Rey League after two competitive games against Bishop Montgomery, who is on the CIF-Southern Section Open Division watch list. St. Anthony will be a championship contender in the Division 2AA playoffs.
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2. Lynwood (16-11): The Knights, who are on a six-game winning streak, won back-to-back Gateway League titles with their 65-58 win at No. 4 Paramount Tuesday. Lynwood led 47-37 heading into the fourth quarter. Senior forward Taliyah McFerson is averaging 16 points and 9.5 per game.
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3. Long Beach Poly (18-9): The Jackrabbits beat No. 6 Lakewood 53-37 on Monday and secured an outright Moore League title on senior night against Cabrillo on Tuesday. Long Beach Poly, who is led by senior forward Brooklyn Taylor and sophomore guard Bailey Prewitt, will look to finish undefeated in league play at Millikan on Thursday.
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4. Paramount (20-7): The Pirates suffered a 65-58 loss to No. 2 Lynwood with a share of the Gateway League title up for grabs on Tuesday. Paramount, who is led by senior guard Kaylani Polk (UC Riverside signee) will close out league play at Gahr on Thursday.
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5. Los Alamitos (22-5): The Griffins, who have already clinched a Surf League title, are on a 10-game winning streak.
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6. Lakewood (22-5): Junior guard Nyemah King is averaging 26 points per game but the Lancers suffered a 53-37 loss at No. 3 Long Beach Poly on Monday. Lakewood will play No. 8 Jordan on Thursday, to determine who will end up as the Moore League’s second-place team.
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7. Cerritos (18-9): The Dons, who are on a six-game winning streak, have already secured at least a share of the 605 League title. Cerritos can win an outright league championship if they beat crosstown rival No. 10 Whitney on Thursday. Senior forward Onyekachi Nwanze, a nightly double-double threat, is the team’s offensive and defensive anchor.
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8. Jordan (19-7): The Panthers are 5-3 in January, with all three losses coming to No. 3 Long Beach Poly and No. 6 Lakewood. Jordan, who is led by senior guard Asia Edwards (14.1 points per game) will host Lakewood in a Moore League finale on Thursday.
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9. Downey (15-12): The Vikings, who are led by senior guard Olivia Vaughn (13.7 points per game) will finish likely third in the Gateway League behind No. 2 Lynwood and No. 4 Paramount.
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10. Whitney (19-8): The Wildcats will host No. 7 Cerritos in the 605 League championship game Thursday. If Whitney wins, they will earn a share of the league title. Kylie and Haylie Wang are versatile players.
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Other area teams considered: Millikan (15-12), Gahr (18-7), St. Joseph (11-8), La Mirada (17-5), Mayfair (11-11), Norwalk (12-15).
Press-Telegram’s high school girls basketball Top 10 rankings, Jan. 22
Press-Telegram’s high school girls basketball Top 10 rankings, Jan. 16