SBLive's Northern Section basketball rankings (Feb. 6): Top 5 boys, girls teams go a combined 18-3

Pleasant Valley remains firmly on top of both rankings after each going 2-0; Foothill boys lose twice but still maintain No. 3 spot

Entering the final week of the regular season, the Pleasant Valley boys and girls basketball teams sit atop the Northern Section rankings once again and both teams are one win away from claiming Eastern Athletic League titles.

On the boys side, Pleasant Valley leading scorer Luke Kremer (16.8 points per game, 8.1 rebounds per game) had a pair of standout games this week, scoring 23 points and grabbing eight rebounds against Foothill-Palo Cedro on Tuesday before having 21 points and eight rebounds against Enterprise-Redding on Thursday.

Pleasant Valley's Hayden Rick (4) takes 3-pointer in front of the Vikings' student body on Homecoming last week. Rick leads the Vikings in 3-point percentage at 45 (25 of 55). Photo: Justin Couchot

Foothill-Palo Cedro lost two straight after losing senior Chase Lee, one of the team’s best defenders, and Chico won two straight to solidify its spot at No. 2. The Cougars have now lost three of their last four games and are No. 3 in the EAL.

Orland has won 12 of its last 13 games and is No. 1 in the Butte View League and makes its first appearance in the top 5, led by last year’s All-League selection Zach Story (16.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.8 steals per game) and sophomore Cody Pendo (10.8, 6.0, 2.1). Quincy re-enters the top 5 after winning all three of its games this week and 11 of 12.

On the girls side, Pierce enters the Top 5 after 13 straight wins, including 12 straight wins to open league play. The Bears are No. 1 in the Sacramento Valley League and close out their regular season against Colusa (13-11) on Tuesday and Live Oak (8-16) on Friday.

Chico bounced back last week with two dominant wins, after falling to Pleasant Valley-Chico and Foothill-Palo Cedro in back-to-back games.

Lassen falls out of Top 5 after a loss to Central Valley. The Grizzlies now enter key matchups against University Prep-Redding and West Valley-Cottonwood to close out their regular season. All three teams are tied for the lead atop the Northern Athletic League with two games to play.

Northern Section girls basketball playoffs begin Feb. 14 (D4, D5), Feb. 15 (D6, D7) and Feb. 16 (D3), with the championships held Feb. 25 at Butte College and Shasta College. 

Northern Section boys basketball playoffs begin Feb. 14 (D6, D7), Feb. 15 (D4, D5) and Feb. 17 (D3), with the championships held Feb. 25 at Butte College and Shasta College.

SBLIVE NORTHERN SECTION TOP 5 BOYS BASKETBALL RANKINGS

1. Pleasant Valley-Chico (22-4)

Last week: 1

Last week results (2-0): Beat Foothill (Palo Cedro) 63-51, Enterprise (Redding) 57-38

Next game: Tuesday at Shasta-Redding (12-13)

2. Chico (18-6)

Last week: 2

Last week results (2-0): Beat Enterprise (Redding) 41-37, Red Bluff 74-36

Next game: Tuesday vs. Foothill-Palo Cedro (16-9)

3. Foothill-Palo Cedro (16-9)

Last week: 3

Last week results (0-2): Lost to Pleasant Valley (Chico) 63-51, Shasta (Redding) 39-32

Next game: Tuesday at Chico (18-6)

4. Orland (19-6)

Last week: NR

Last week results (2-0): Beat Oroville 60-39, Las Plumas (Oroville) 62-48

Next game: Tuesday at Gridley (11-12)

5. Quincy (18-5)

Last week: NR

Last week results (3-0): Beat Loyalton 69-43, Redding Christian (Palo Cedro) 60-58, 81-59

Next game: Tuesday at Chester (10-10)

On the bubble: Weed (18-5)

All records are through Feb. 4 results

SBLIVE NORTHERN SECTION TOP 5 GIRLS BASKETBALL RANKINGS

1. Pleasant Valley-Chico (23-3)

Last week: 1

Last week results (2-0): Beat Foothill (Palo Cedro) 53-46, Enterprise (Redding) 71-21

Next game: Tuesday vs. Shasta-Redding (12-10)

2. Chico (20-5)

Last week: 2

Last week results (2-0): Beat Enterprise (Redding) 56-20, Red Bluff 56-35

Next game: Tuesday at Foothill-Palo Cedro (19-6)

3. Foothill-Palo Cedro (19-6)

Last week: 3

Last week results (1-1): Lost to Pleasant Valley (Chico) 53-46, beat Shasta (Redding) 66-43

Next game: Tuesday vs. Chico (23-3)

4. Fall River-McArthur (19-2)

Last week: 5

Last week results (2-0): Beat Trinity (Weaverville) 44-32, Weed 58-40

Next game: Tuesday vs. Etna (6-11)

5. Pierce-Arbuckle (22-2)

Last week: NR

Last week results (2-0): Beat Winters 70-37, Durham 80-46

Next game: Tuesday vs. Colusa (13-11)

On the bubble: Lassen (19-6), University Prep-Redding (16-6)

All records are through Feb. 4 results