Who’s No. 1? Check out our final prep basketball polls
Team wins NCS Open Division crown and is unanimous No. 1
Even with a premature end to the season, there was no doubt which boys basketball team was No. 1 in the Bay Area when the California Interscholastic Federation called off the remainder of the state playoffs because of coronavirus concerns.
Bishop O’dowd took over the top spot in our Bay Area Preps HQ rankings on Feb. 11 and did not relinquish it as the Dragons beat Dublin to win the inaugural North Coast Section Open Division championship and Archbishop Mitty by 13 points on the road in the Northern California playoffs.
The Mitty victory turned out to be the season finale for O’dowd.
“Now knowing that was my last game, I can kind of smile and that brings me a little bit of joy knowing that was our last game and we won,” said O’dowd senior Monty Bowser, who signed with Cal. “We really played as a team. I feel like that was the most fun game of the year.
“Everybody was sharing the ball. Everybody was into it. It was a great atmosphere. Really great energy in the locker room after. But we really wanted to play these last two games.”
Bay Area Preps HQ voters were pretty much in unison with the entire Top 5 as Dublin, Mitty, Bellarmine and Campolindo followed O’dowd.
Archbishop Riordan came in sixth, up two spots from the previous ranking but still behind Campolindo — a team Riordan beat in December.
Had Riordan’s season not ended after the quarterfinals because of coronavirus, it’s possible that the Crusaders would have played host to Campolindo for the Norcal Division I championship.
That said, it should be noted … Despite the CIF’S seedings — Riordan No. 1 and Campo No.
7 in the Division I bracket — Bay Area Preps HQ had Campo ranked higher than Riordan after the section playoffs.
As always, votes were cast by the BA Preps HQ’S staff, with first-place votes worth 25 points, second-place 24 points and on down the line.
On to the rankings …
No. 1 Bishop O’dowd (23-7)
VOTING POINTS >> 100
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 1
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >> 4
RECAP >> When the CIF pulled the plug on the remainder of the season because of coronavirus, one could argue that O’dowd was Northern California’s best team. After their well-noted 5-7 start, the Dragons reeled off 18 consecutive wins to finish the season, including a 75-72 victory over Dublin in the inaugural NCS Open Division final and 73-60 triumph on the road over CCS Open champion Archbishop Mitty in the Northern California Open semifinals. O’dowd was set to play top-seeded Sheldon in a Norcal final the day the playoffs were canceled. The Dragons did not lose to a Northern California opponent all season as they dazzled fans with electrifying dunks from an array of talent that included league MVP Marsalis Roberson, freshman Jalen Lewis and Monty Bowser.
No. 2 Dublin (24-7)
VOTING POINTS >> 95
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 4
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >> 18
RECAP >> Clearly, we were a bit off the mark when the season began, ranking Dublin in the high teens after Robby Beasley, the team’s only first-team all-league player from the previous season, transferred to Dougherty Valley. Dublin charged out of the gate, rose to No. 1, had a hiccup during one week of league play and then closed strong. The Gaels won the East Bay Athletic League title, reached the first NCS Open final and were selected to the CIF Norcal Open regional for the first time in program history. They beat Bellarmine 73-69 in a Norcal quarterfinal and then had to wait three extra days — six total — to play top seed Sheldon because of a coronavirus scare in Sheldon’s school district. Dublin lost a heartbreaker 59-58 but showed that it belonged in the elite class as a determined group of seniors led by EBAL player of the year Anthony Roy took the program to unprecedented heights.
No. 3 Archbishop Mitty (23-5)
VOTING POINTS >> 93
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 2
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >> 5
RECAP >> As was Dublin’s case without Beasley, Mitty did not take a step back after 2019 West Catholic Athletic League player of the year Devan Sapp transferred to First Love Christian Academy in Washington, Pennsylvania. The Monarchs tied Bellarmine and Archbishop Riordan for the WCAL championship and edged Bellarmine for the CCS Open title. Mitty was seeded No. 2 in the Norcal Open regional. Closed season with a 73-60 loss at home to Bishop O’dowd in the semifinals of the Norcal playoffs. Michael Mitchell shared this season’s WCAL player of the year honors with Riordan’s Je’lani Clark.
No. 4 Bellarmine (23-5)
VOTING POINTS >> 87
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 3
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >> 9
RECAP >> The Bells began the season with 11 consecutive wins, went on to grab a piece of the West Catholic Athletic League title and advanced to the CCS Open final for the fifth consecutive season. Finished the campaign with consecutive defeats, 44-41 to Mitty in the CCS title game and 73-69 at Dublin in the quarterfinals of the Norcal Open. First-team all-league players Quinn Denker and Ryan Kiachian led the way.
No. 5 Campolindo (26-6)
VOTING POINTS >> 85
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 6
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >> 1
RECAP >> Ranked No. 1 to start the season because of who returned from the previous campaign’s Division II state title team, Campo did not storm out of the blocks, losing to Mitty, Salesian and Riordan in the first three weeks. But the Cougars had a perfect league run and were seeded fourth in the first NCS Open playoffs. They beat San Leandro, then lost to Dublin 64-55 in the semifinals. That defeat — and perhaps some of the early ones — dropped Campo to a seventh seed in the Norcal Division I bracket. Motivated by what they considered a slight, the Cougars beat Serra and then, all on the road, No. 2 seed Capital Christian, No. 3 seed Salesian and No. 4 seed De La Salle to win a bracket that unfortunately will always have an unknown to it, given that top seed Riordan was forced to withdraw after the quarterfinals because of coronavirus concerns.
No. 6 Archbishop Riordan (23-5)
VOTING POINTS >> 78
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 8
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >> 3
RECAP >> Riordan won a piece of the WCAL championship for the first time in 13 years, prevailed at Mitty for the first time in 18 years and was among the favorites to win the CCS Open title. But the Crusaders were upset by St. Francis in the first round — their third loss in five games down the stretch — and were not chosen for the Norcal Open. Instead, Riordan got the No. 1 seed in Division I, which meant a runway of only home games to the state final. The Crusaders quickly rediscovered their mojo, toppling Modesto Christian 8251 and Vanden 76-62 to set up a semifinal against De La Salle. Riordan never played another game, its season called when a student at the school tested positive for coronavirus.
No. 7 Salesian (25-7)
VOTING POINTS >> 76
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 5
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >> 2
RECAP >> Seeded No. 3 in the Norcal Division I regional, TCAL Rock Division champion Salesian breezed through the first two rounds, defeating Rocklin 80-28 and Grant 62-45. But the Pride couldn’t get past the semifinals, losing to Campolindo 6059 — an opponent Salesian had beaten in NCS finals for three consecutive seasons (2017-19).
No. 8 De La Salle (24-8)
VOTING POINTS >> 74
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 9
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >> 7
RECAP >> The Spartans sizzled through the NCS Division I playoffs after being left out of the section’s inaugural six-team Open Division. Seeded higher than three of the six NCS Open teams in the Norcal Division I regional, DLS reached the final by beating San Joaquin Memorial 67-52 and Menlo-atherton 53-43 and getting a semifinal bye when Riordan withdrew. In the final at home against Campolindo — which was seeded three spots behind No. 4 DLS despite reaching the NCS Open semifinals — the Spartans lost 54-49 in what turned out to be the season finale for both teams.
No. 9 Menlo-atherton (23-5)
VOTING POINTS >> 68
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 7
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >> 12
RECAP >> The Peninsula Athletic League South Division champ beat Serra to advance to the CCS Open semifinals and later edged EBAL runner-up Dougherty Valley 57-54 in the first round of the Norcal Division I regional. The Bears’ season ended in the next round as De La Salle used a 21-0 run to break open a tight game and prevail 53-43.
No. 10 Dougherty Valley (22-7)
VOTING POINTS >> 62
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 10
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >> 8 RECAP >> After a 22-2 start, Dougherty Valley took a dramatic turn when transfer Robby Beasley suffered a season-ending knee injury in his muchanticipated return to Dublin, where he played for three seasons. Dougherty Valley lost that game by 30, then lost to Dublin again two days later in double OT with the East Bay Athletic League title at stake, this time at home. Picked for the NCS Open, Dougherty Valley fell to Bishop O’dowd in the first round. The season ended in the next game, an opening-round loss to Menlo-atherton in the Norcal D1 regional.
No. 11 Serra (18-9)
VOTING POINTS >> 59
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 12
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >> 15
RECAP >> When Serra’s season ended with a 65-57 loss at Campolindo in the first round of the Norcal D1 regional, the losing team met in a room behind closed doors. When the doors opened, the Padres didn’t sulk. They celebrated a season that began with the announcement that longtime coach Chuck Rapp would miss the campaign as he rehabilitates from a hip ailment but also included many memorable moments. “We emptied the tank with our effort and our attitude and our teamwork,” interim coach Brian Carson said.
No. 12 St. Patrick-st. Vincent (25-11)
VOTING POINTS >> 56
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 14
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >> 11
RECAP >> Won the NCS Division III championship, edging Branson 43-40, and then advanced to the Norcal Division II final. Playing at home, second-seeded SPSV lost to Weston Ranch of Stockton 62-61 on a basket with 4.5 seconds left.
No. 13 San Leandro (19-9)
VOTING POINTS >> 54
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 11
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >> 14
RECAP >> San Leandro’s resume was strong enough to merit a No. 5 seed for the inaugural NCS Open playoffs. The Pirates’ only league losses were to Bishop O’dowd and they beat Dougherty Valley by 20 in December. But the playoffs weren’t particularly kind as San Leandro lost to Campolindo in the first round of the NCS Open and Grant in the opening round of the Norcal D1 regional.
No. 14 Branson (30-3)
VOTING POINTS >> 41
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 13
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >> 16
RECAP >> The NCS Division III runner-up was seeded sixth in the Norcal Division II bracket. Beat Jesuit 51-43 in the first round and then fell on the road to Sacred Heart Prep 55-53 in an epic, double-overtime thriller.
No. 15 Oakland Tech (27-5)
VOTING POINTS >> 40*
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 17
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >>
Unranked.
RECAP >> The Oakland Athletic League champs bounced back from a loss to Oakland in a section final to defeat Menlo School 56-48 in the first round of the Norcal Division II regional. The season ended with a 63-50 loss to Weston Ranch in the next round.
No. 16 Sacred Heart Prep (23-6)
VOTING POINTS >> 40*
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 22
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >> Unranked
RECAP >> After being selected for the CCS Open playoffs, SHP merited a No. 3 seed in the Norcal Division II regional. The run included a 61-40 rout of Alameda in the first round and a 55-53 double-overtime triumph over Branson in the quarterfinals when Charlie Selna hit a shot at the buzzer. The season ended in the semifinals with a 53-43 loss to No. 2 seed St. Patrick-st. Vincent.
No. 17 Piedmont (24-6)
VOTING POINTS >> 34
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 19
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >>
Unranked.
RECAP >> After rallying to defeat St. Mary’s-berkeley 77-67 in the NCS Division IV final, Piedmont bowed out of the Norcal Division II regional in its next game. As a No. 13 seed, the Highlanders lost at No. 4 seed and eventual champion Weston Ranch 79-74 in overtime.
No. 18 St. Mary’s-berkeley (26-10)
VOTING POINTS >> 32
PREVIOUS RANKING >> Unranked
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >> Unranked.
RECAP >> The Norcal Division III champs went from unranked to inside the Top 20 after their run through the regional as a No. 4 seed. Runners-up to Piedmont in the NCS Division IV playoffs, the Panthers took advantage of their placement in the regional, winning all four games at home. No. 19 De Anza (22-9)
VOTING POINTS >> 31
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 18
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >> Unranked
RECAP >> The NCS Division II champs were seeded 10th in the Norcal Division II regional. Toppled St. Francis 65-56 in the opening round on the road before a season-ending 85-66 loss to St. Patrick-st. Vincent in the quarterfinals.
No. 20 Granada (24-7)
VOTING POINTS >> 26
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 15
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >> Unranked
RECAP >> NCS Division I runnerup to De La Salle was seeded No. 1 in the Norcal Division II regional but fell to No. 16 seed Whitney 71-65 in the first round. No. 21 San Ramon Valley (20-10)
VOTING POINTS >> 21
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 22
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >>
Unranked
RECAP >> Semifinalist in NCS Division II playoffs after being seeded No. 1, SRV drew the No. 15 seed in the Norcal Division II regional. The Wolves were out after one game, losing to eventual runner-up St. Patrick-st. Vincent 58-57.
No. 22 Palo Alto (23-5)
VOTING POINTS >> 11
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 16
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >> 19
RECAP >> CCS Division I champion had a clear path to a Norcal title as the No. 1 seed in the Division III regional. But the Vikings were beaten in the first round, 40-33 to No. 16 seed Wood.
No. 23 St. Francis (15-12)
VOTING POINTS >> 9*
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 20
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >> 25
RECAP >> This young team had its moments, winning at Bellarmine in the first half of WCAL play and beating Archbishop Riordan in the opening round of the CCS Open playoffs. Seeded No. 7 in the Norcal Division II regional, the Lancers lost to De Anza 65-56 in the first round.
No. 24 Menlo School (20-7)
VOTING POINTS >> 9*
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 24
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >> Unranked
RECAP >> One of eight teams selected to the CCS Open playoffs. Lost to Mitty in the first round of the sectionals, then fell to Oakland Tech 56-48 in the opening round of the Norcal Division II regional as a No. 12 seed.
No. 25 St. Joseph Notre Dame (23-8)
VOTING POINTS >> 6
PREVIOUS RANKING >> 21
SEASON-OPENING RANKING >> 13
RECAP >> Did not advance to a Norcal regional after losing to St. Patrick-st. Vincent 53-47 in the semifinals of the NCS Division III playoffs.
ALSO RECEIVED VOTING POINTS >> Carmel 5, Lincoln-san Francisco 4, Alameda 2, Sequoia 1, San Domenico 1.
*-tiebreaker determined by each team’s highest and lowest vote total.