Top Rankings of High School Girls Basketball Teams in Long Beach Area
With just two weeks left in the regular season before the commencement of the CIF-Southern Section playoffs, the Press-Telegram has released its latest rankings of the top high school girls basketball teams in the Long Beach area.
GIRLS BASKETBALL TOP 10
(Statistics updated through Sunday, Jan. 22)
1. St. Anthony (16-6): Led by senior guard Ryann Bennett, who boasts an average of 16 points per game, the Saints showcased an impressive performance last week, securing a 3-1 record. Notably, they dominated rival La Salle with a resounding 58-20 victory on Jan. 18. St. Anthony is gearing up to face Bishop Montgomery in a crucial matchup on Tuesday to vie for the top spot in the Del Rey League.
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2. Lynwood (12-11): Senior forward Taliyah McFerson has been a standout player for the Knights, maintaining averages of 16 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. In an upcoming game against No. 8 Downey on Friday, Lynwood seeks redemption following a 39-33 loss to the Vikings on Jan. 10. The team also notched a significant win against No. 4 Beach Poly in a nonleague showdown on Jan. 20.
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3. Paramount (19-6): Riding a two-game winning streak, the Pirates, including a notable 52-41 victory over No. 8 Downey on Jan. 19, are set to clash with No. 2 Lynwood in what promises to be a high-stakes showdown for the Gateway League title on Jan. 30.
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4. Long Beach Poly (12-8): Maintaining an unblemished record in Moore League action, the Jackrabbits delivered a commanding 59-43 win against No. 6 Lakewood on Jan. 19.
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5. Los Alamitos (19-5): Spearheaded by senior center Kassidy Beach, the Griffins are riding a wave of success, boasting a seven-game winning streak.
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6. Lakewood (19-3): Despite a 59-43 defeat to No. 4 Long Beach Poly on Jan. 19, junior guard Nyemah King’s stellar performance with a game-high 24 points showcased the team’s competitive spirit. The Lancers are scheduled to face Poly on Jan. 29.
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7. Cerritos (14-9): The Dons continue to impress, maintaining an unblemished record in the 605 League. Their recent comeback victory against crosstown rival No. 10 Whitney on Jan. 17 highlighted their resilience. Keep an eye on senior forward Onyekachi Nwanze, a consistent double-double threat in every game.
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8. Downey (14-11): Despite a setback with a 52-41 loss to No. 2 Paramount on Jan. 19, seniors Salma Garcia, Symantha Barnett, and Olivia Vaughn rallied to secure a 49-45 win at the Glendora Showcase on Jan. 20.
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9. Jordan (16-6): Establishing themselves as a formidable force in the Moore League, the Panthers solidified their position with a dominant 57-24 victory over Millikan on Jan. 17.
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10. Whitney (16-7): Boasting a talented trio comprising senior guard Kylie Wange, junior forward Haylie Wang, and freshman guard Alyssa So, the Wildcats are gearing up to host No. 7 Cerritos in what is likely to be a showdown for the Gateway League title on Feb. 1.
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Other notable area teams: St. Joseph (11-8), Millikan (13-11), Gahr (17-5), Mayfair (9-10).