RIVERSIDE - First, Happy Holidays from the CCCMBCA.

Secondly, this is the final poll for 2023. The next poll will be conducted on January 1 for posting on January 2. The final poll of 2023 saw some big moves by a few teams.  

1. West Valley (13-0) — West Valley easily remains the state's top ranked team after capturing nearly all of the coaches' first-place votes in this week's voting. West Valley, which has scored wins over five ranked opponents, has three remaining non-conference games, including a rematch against #7 San Francisco on Jan. 5. On Dec. 16, West Valley swarmed San Francisco, 99-57.

2. Mt. San Jacinto (12-0) — Mt. San Jacinto maintained its hold on the No. 2 ranking but lost the support of many of the coaches for the top spot. The Eagles have opened conference competition. On Wednesday, Mt. San Jacinto treks to #14 Cerro Coso in a key matchup.

3. Cabrillo (12-0) — Many of the coaches have become believers in the only other unbeaten program in the state. Cabrillo has scored 100 or more points in each of its last six games and eight of 12 this season and climbed to its highest ranking in a number of years. Cabrillo, which has beaten Merced and Columbia, has four remaining non-conference games before seeing #9 San Jose (home) and #1 West Valley (away).

4. West LA (10-2) — West LA makes a major jump in the poll after stringing together seven consecutive wins. West LA was a perfect 3-0 at the Fullerton Crossover event, which included wins over LA South, San Diego City and Compton. West LA has two remaining non-conference contests before beginning conference play. 

5. (tie) Fullerton (9-3) — Fullerton slipped a slot this week as Cabrillo and West LA make a move up the poll. This week, the Hornets have a roommate as San Diego City tied Fullerton for the No. 5 spot. The Hornets prepare for the start of Orange Empire Conference play. Fullerton remains the odds-on favorite for another conference title.

San Diego City (11-3) — San Diego City had its five-game win streak snapped by West LA. The Knights however maintained a top-five ranking thanks to impressive wins over Yuba and Fullerton. The Knights have opened conference play with consecutive wins and figures to be the knights of the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference this season.

7. San Francisco (10-3) — San Francisco falls a position this week after suffering a 42-point loss to #1 West Valley. The Rams will take on a #9 San Jose on Dec. 30 and then gets another shot at #1 West Valley on Jan. 6 before opening conference competition. The Coast-North is shaping up to be an interest race with Skyline (10-2), Chabot (11-3), Las Positas (11-3) and San Francisco (10-3) a combined 42-11. Plus, Canada and Ohlone are both over .500. 

8. Sequoias (9-2) – With the emergence of Cabrillo and West LA it moves Sequoias down a slot this week. Voters appear they can't get past Sequoias' two loses to San Francisco City to move them past the Rams. Sequoias has three remaining non-conference contests.

9. San Jose (12-2) — San Jose breaks into the top 10 after winning five games since losing to Sequoias by 15 points on Nov. 22. The Jaguars' ability to remain in the top 10 will be tested with games against #7 San Francisco (Dec. 30, on the road) and then Chabot (Jan. 4, at home).

10. Yuba (10-2) — First, congrats again to Doug Cornelius on winning his 500th career game. Now, for the bad news — Yuba falls to No. 10 this week after suffering consecutive losses (vs. San Diego City and the Butte who was unranked). Since the consecutive losses, Yuba has recovered to win four straight (all against unranked opponents) and capture the Kris Kringle Tournament title. Yuba begins Bay Valley Conference play this week. Other than Yuba, only Los Medanos (7-5) begins conference play with an overall record above .500. 

11. Moorpark (10-3) — Moorpark's surprising easy victory over Cerro Coso did little for the Raiders as they remain at No. 11 this week. Moorpark has won four straight games since losing by three to No. 10 Yuba. With three non-conference games, Moorpark has become a threat to Allan Hancock for the Western State-North title.

12. Merced (11-1) — Merced makes another leap this year, coming in at No. 12 after being No. 18 in the last CCCMBCA Poll. Merced has played just one ranked team, Cabrillo and lost by 19 points. But after a 13-point win over Fresno, Merced has emerged as threat in the Central Valley Conference race. The Blue Devils appear to be one of four contenders for the title, along with Columbia, Sequoias and West Hills-Lemoore. 

13. Chabot (11-3) — Chabot climbs two slots after winning eight of nine games. Its only loss was to #1 West Valley by 11. The Gladiators' three losses have been to West Valley, Fullerton and San Diego City. Chabot closes out the year with a home game with Marin and then faces #9 San Jose in an attempt to see if they can beat an elite team.

14. Mt. San Antonio (9-1) — Mt. San Antonio breaks out of the round-robin battle with Citrus and Chaffey, moving eight slots this week as a number of coaches have become believers in the Mounties. Among south programs, the Mounties have the fourth best non-conference RPI and figure to have a good showing when the first Winning Percentage Index is released in January. Mt. San Antonio will compete in the final bracketed event of 2023 (yea, thank goodness!! If you know, you know) at Canyons and then play five South Coast crossover contests before beginning division play.

15. Columbia (11-2) — Columbia's fall continues as the Claim Jumpers fall out of the top 10. Since starting the season with a 10-game win streak, Columbia has lost two of three, one being a 22-point loss to Cabrillo. Columbia has one non-conference remaining before opening Central Valley Conference play where they figure to battle Sequoias, Merced and West Hills-Lemoore for the title.

16. Cerro Coso (9-2) — First congratulations to Cerro Coso coach Chris Dugan and his wife who were in the hospital this morning (Dec. 18) expecting the birth of their son. Unfortunately, the news from poll central isn't as heartwarming because Cerro Coso falls eight spots after losing consecutive games. And the road doesn't get any easier as #2 Mt. San Jacinto rolls into town on Wednesday.

17. Sacramento City (11-1) — This week, the No. 17 slot marked the sport where voting got very close with many of the remaining landing spots being decided by less than three points. Such was case here as Sacramento City, despite suffering its first loss of the season to an unranked opponent, edged LA Southwest, Allan Hancock and Las Positas for the No. 17 ranking. The Panthers open Big Eight Conference play on Wednesday versus Diablo Valley and then face a test on Dec. 29 when the Panthers travel to Santa Rosa.

18. Allan Hancock (9-4) — Since losing three straight games to close out November, Allan Hancock has won five straight. But it has done little to convince voters that a top 15 is warranted. Allan Hancock has three non-conference games remaining before conference play begins.

19. Las Positas (11-3) — Las Positas went 2-2 since the last poll and paid a step price, falling five slots. It probably wasn't the loss to #1 West Valley by 32 points but it most likely was following it up with a 10-point loss to unranked Diablo Valley. The Hawks have two remaining non-conference contests.

20. LA Southwest (8-4) — Lopsided losses to Fullerton (by 36 points) and West LA (13 points) drop LA Southwest in this week's poll. The Cougars begin a stretch of South Coast Conference crossover games, highlighted by a stretch of games that includes LA Trade Tech, Pasadena, East Los Angeles and Mt. San Antonio. 

21. Santiago Canyon (9-3) — Since losing to Santa Monica on Dec. 1, Santiago Canyon has run off three straight wins. They open Orange Empire Conference play on Thursday at Riverside.

22. West Hills Lemoore (8-2) — West Hills-Lemoore moves six slots this week as Chaffey, Citrus and Monterey fall, and Saddleback drops from the top 30. West Hills-Lemoore begins a stretch of five home games, which includes #24 Skyline and the start of Central Valley Conference play.

23. Chaffey (10-2) — Chaffey maintained its hold on the No. 23 ranking as the Panthers have won eight of nine games. Chaffey has two games remaining in 2023. 

24. Skyline (10-2) — Skyline, which is riding a four-game win streak since suffering a shocking 20-point loss to Santa Rosa on Nov. 30, moves to No. 24 from No. 26 this week. The Trojans face a tough two games stretch to close out 20023 — at West Hills-Lemoore and then at West Valley.

25. Santa Monica (7-6) – Santa Monica began the season ranked No. 12, but quickly fell out of the poll after losing five of its first seven games. Since, Santa Monica has won five of six, two against ranked opponents – Chaffey and Citrus. Santa Monica has a shot at redemption on Wednesday when they visit East Los Angeles. The first meeting resulted in an 83-66 loss to the Huskies. 

26. Citrus (7-4) — Citrus has lost three of four, all three to ranked opponents, and barely beat San Diego Miramar. Combined it caused the Owls to fall a spot this week. Two of Citrus' remaining non-conference games will be against ranked opponents — Moorpark (Jan. 2) and Allan Hancock (Jan. 5).

27. Monterey Peninsula (11-3) — Monterey tumbles to No. 27 this week after going 4-2 since the last poll and are faced with possibly falling out the top 30 as they open 2024 at #12 Merced (Jan. 2) and home to #24 Skyline (Jan. 5). 

28. Los Medanos (7-5) — Los Medanos managed to remain in the top 30 after going 2-2 since the last poll, but it was close. These last remaining five slots were all decided by one point. Los Medanos missed an opportunity to move up the poll, losing to San Jose (by 9) and Sacramento City (by 10). Showings apparently enough for the coaches to keep the Mustangs in the top 30. Los Medanos begins Bay Valley Conference play on Dec. 19, and appears to be the best spoiler for Yuba's hopes of winning another conference title.

29. Irvine Valley (8-3) — Irvine Valley maintained its No. 29 ranking thanks to a better than expected showing against Mt. San Antonio (lost by 10) and then a quick recovery for consecutive wins. The Lasers open conference play against 6-4 Orange Coast this week.

30. (tie) Pasadena (6-5), Santa Rosa (8-4) — With Saddleback and Cosumnes River falling out of the top 30, it opened the door for Pasadena and Santa Rosa to share the final spot in this week's poll. Both programs are coming off strong showings at the Kris Kringle Tournament. Pasadena lost in the finals to Yuba and Santa Rosa claimed third place after losing to Pasadena in the championship semifinals. Santa Rosa has won five of six games since losing to Cabrillo by 10 on Nov. 17. Meanwhile, Pasadena has also won five of six in the month of December. Pasadena closes out the year at Mt. San Jacinto on Dec. 30, while Santa Rosa opens conference play at home against Folsom Lake (Dec. 20) and Sacramento City (Dec. 29).

(Robert Schmidt, CCCMBCA)