Top 10 Central Section girls basketball rankings (1/2/2024)

Clovis West has topped the list for a decade straight and with Athena Tomlinson and Ariyah Smith starring, there's no reason to think anything will change in 2024

The question around the Central Section that’s been asked for more than a decade is who can topple Clovis West? The perennial state and nationally ranked program, led by coach Craig Campbell, has won 11 straight Central Section titles in the top division and this year they are again the team to beat.

Five out of the six members of the Tri-River Athletic Conference are ranked in the top 10. After Clovis West, there’s No. 2 Clovis, No. 5 Buchanan, No. 8 Central and No. 9 Clovis East.

Small schools Monache (No. 5) and Caruthers (No. 6) have proved they belong by not only playing top-notch programs, but performing well.

No. 3 St. Joseph from Santa Maria features one of the top players in the state in Avery Cain, who’s committed to UCLA.

1. Clovis West (15-2)

The top program in the Central Section 11 years running is off to a fast start once again, fresh off winning the Nike Poa Holiday Classic in Oregon. They are led by senior guards Athena Tomlinson and Ariyah Smith, and juniors Riley Walls and Keigan Medieros. They open up TRAC against defending CIF D2 champ Central on Jan. 9.

Next game: Jan. 9 at Central

2. St. Joseph (12-4)

The Knights have a nice early season 73-69 win over Clovis but have lost their last two to Folsom and Sage Hill. They are led by UCLA signee Avery Cain, who averages 25 ppg, 6.5 rebounds and 3.9 steals, and Kai Oani’s 15.2 ppg and 4.2 assists.

Next game: Jan. 6 home against Fremont Prep

3. Clovis (10-6)

After starting the season 3-6, the Cougars have reeled off seven in a row including a 57-54 win over Chaminade on Dec. 30 to capture the Diamond Division championship of the West Coast Jamboree. Super sophomore guards Sadie Sin and Jazmin Aguleria have been mainstays. They open up TRAC play against Buchanan on Jan. 9.

Next game: Jan. 6 at Lincoln.

4. Monache (15-1)

The Monarchs are the second smallest public school in the top 10 and have two impressive wins over Clovis East and one against Buchanan. And they are young too–five of their top six scorers are sophomores led by Shelley Andrente’s 11.7 ppg and Milly Rojas at 11.6. They’ll have a tough one at Tehachapi (13-2) on Jan. 5.

Next game: Jan. 5 at Tehachapi.

5. Buchanan (13-6)

The Bears have been solid so far but a 56-50 loss to Monache puts them outside the top 4. Seniors Aloni Oliver and Vanessa Quintana are stat-stuffers and freshman Brinley Anderson shows a lot of promise. They open up TRAC Jan. 9 at Clovis.

Next game: Jan. 9 at Clovis

6. Caruthers (7-4)

The smallest public school in the top 10 are fresh off winning the Pearl Division of the West Coast Jamboree in dramatic fashion, coming back down 20 points to beat Monte Vista 58-56. They are led by 6-foot-1 freshman Jaylee Moore and sophomores Emmi Almeida and Juliana Lemus. They’ll play in the 3rd annual Ionescu Showcase on Jan. 20.

Next game: Jan. 3 at Hoover

7. Bakersfield Christian (9-5)

The Eagles have played a strong schedule with 3 out of their 5 losses to Clovis West, Monache and Caruthers. They are led by senior Sara Sein’s 15.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game and Ava King’s 13.4 rebounds, good for tops in the section.

Next game: Jan. 5 home against Orcutt Academy

8. Central (10-6)

The defending CIF State D2 champs won their first seven games before dropping their last four. They lost a lot from last year but senior Keytonna Ross is back and is averaging 17.2, 6.6 rebounds and 5.2 steals per game. They open up league at home against No. 1 Clovis West.

Next game: Jan. 9 home against Clovis West

9. Clovis East (14-5)

The Timberwolves feature an outstanding scorer with 6-foot junior Gabby Ramos and have a good 56-49 win over Bullard. They play in the rugged TRAC and after opening with Clovis North they’ll take on Clovis West, Clovis, Central and Buchanan.

Next game: Jan. 9 at Clovis North

10. Bullard (11-5)

The Knights, who haven’t had a winning season since 2019-2020, have 11 wins this year including a 67-49 win over the TRAC’s Clovis North. Guard Karli Grier and Carie Williams have been the mainstays so far.

Next game: Jan. 10 at Sanger