SBLive’s LA City Section Top 10 Boys Basketball Rankings: Sun Valley Poly debuts at No. 10

The winter 2021-22 LA City Section high school boys basketball season started on November 12th. Here’s a look at the top teams in the LA City Section three weeks into the year.

The winter 2021-22 LA City Section high school boys basketball season started on November 12th. Here’s a look at the top teams in the LA City Section three weeks into the year. SBLive’s LA City Section high school boys basketball rankings are compiled by SBLive California reporter Connor Morrissette and will be released every Monday throughout the spring 2021 season.

SBLIVE LA CITY SECTION TOP 10 BOYS BASKETBALL RANKINGS

November 29, 2021

1. Taft (7-1)

Last week: 1

Taft has the most talent on paper in the City thanks to a big three of junior Keyon Kensie Jr., junior AJ Johnson and senior Isaiah Lewis. The Toreadors are 7-1 with their best win coming against Windward. Last week they were upset by Alemany 74-65.

2. El Camino Real (3-1)

Last week: 2

El Camino Real scored an impressive upset win in their first game of the regular season beating Santa Clarita Christian 56-55. Clark Holden had 23 points in the victory. Since then, the Royals have beaten Providence and Alemany and lost to South Pasadena. Holden is playing like a City Player of the Year candidate.

3. Fairfax (0-2)

Last week: 2

Fairfax hung around with Sheldon, one of the top teams in Northern California, but eventually lost 59-50 in their season opener. Lions senior Tyler Bey led all scorers in the game with 23 points. Last week, the Lions lost to (N.Y.) Christ The King 51-42.

4. Palisades (3-2)

Last week: 5

In their first game of the season, Palisades picked up a big-time non-league City Section win over No. 6 Birmingham 68-64 in overtime. The Dolphins have followed that up with wins over No. 7 King/Drew and Bakersfield Centennial and losses to Harvard-Westlake and Santa Clarita Christian.

5. Granada Hills (3-2)

Last week: 6

The Highlanders lost to Harvard-Westlake 68-35 two weeks ago and beat Granada Hills Kennedy 58-39 last week. Senior captain Khalil Forrester has had a strong start to the year.

6. Birmingham (1-2)

Last week: 7

Birmingham lost their first game of the season to No. 4 Palisades 68-64 in overtime. After winning the Open Division title a year ago, the Patriots were ranked No. 1 to start the season.

7. King/Drew (0-3)

Last week: 4

The Golden Eagles have arguably the best player in the Section in senior guard Kalib Lacount. King/Drew has dropped their first three games of the season against talented Colony, Providence and Palisades teams.

8. Venice (4-5)

Last week: 8

Venice will give any team in the City a game this season. The Gondoliers have played eight of their nine games close to begin the year, which include defeats to St. Bernard, Windward and Crossroads. Their best win is over Santa Monica.

9. Westchester (3-2)

Last week: 3

Westchester has beaten South East, University and Lawndale, but lost big against Village Christian.

10. Poly (3-1)

Last week: NR

Poly debuts this week thanks to a 50-41 win over St. Bonaventure last week. The Parrots will be a team to watch in the City this season.