Inland Area Prep Basketball Top 10
1. Rancho Cucamonga Etiwanda (8-0)– The Eagles are still unbeaten, and have won each of their three games at the Inland Empire Tournament by an average of 27.3 points. Senior forward Byron Wesley (6-foot-5, 200 pounds) scored a team-high 15 points as Etiwanda defeated Miller on Thursday.
LAST WEEK: (No. 1); d. Vista Murrieta, 86-46, on 12/13; d. Perris, 57-45, on 12/14; d. Fontana Miller, 79-49, on 12/16.
THIS WEEK: vs. No. 6 Fontana Summit TONIGHT.
2. Corona Centennial (7-2) — The Huskies sustained their second loss of the season, falling to San Diego Lincoln, last season’s CIF Division II champion, in the title game of “The Tournament” at Santa Monica HS last Saturday. Coach Josh Giles’ team rebounded nicely, defeating Riverside King to open play in the Big VIII League.
LAST WEEK: (No. 2); d. Fresno Central, 88-50, on 12/9; d. Compton, 81-76, on 12/10; lost to San Diego Lincoln, 66-62, on 12/11; d. Riverside King, 83-74, on 12/16.
NEXT GAME: at MaxPreps.com Holiday Classic at Torrey Pines HS on 12/27.
3. Murrieta Valley (8-0) – Steve Tarabilda’s team defeated Elsinore by 22 points in the title game of the Nighthawk Classic last Saturday. Funny, senior forward Justin Gudger (6-4, 210) had exactly 22 points in the game, enforcing the perception that the Nighthawks, who may be great with Gudger, are about average without him.
LAST WEEK: (No. 3); d. Perris Citrus Hill, 64, 31, on 12/10; d. Elsinore, 69-47, on 12/11.
THIS WEEK: vs. Elsinore TUESDAY.
4. Upland (7-1) – The Highlanders are headed on crash course with No. 1 Etiwanda at the Inland Empire Classic. Senior forward John Gilliam (6-4, 185) scored a season-high 39 points, and junior guard Myles Pearson (5-9, 170) hit the game-winning jumper as Upland defeated REV on Wednesday.
LAST WEEK: (No. 4); d. Pomona, 96-57, on 12/13; d. L.A. Belmont, 75-25, on 12/14; d. Redlands East Valley, 85-83, on 12/16.
THIS WEEK: vs. No. 8 Ontario Colony TONIGHT.
5. Rialto Eisenhower (3-2) – The Eagles had an up-and-down week, and finished 2-2 at “The Tournament” at Santa Monica HS. Again, this team is playing a punishing preseason schedule and could enter action in the Citrus Belt League with a record under .500 if a few bounces don’t go their way this week in San Diego.
LAST WEEK: (No. 5); d. Fresno Central, 71-56, on 12/10; lost to L.A. Windward, 81-54, on 12/11.
THIS WEEK: at San Diego Lincoln HS’s Hosea Hall Christmas Invitational.
6. Fontana Summit (4-4) – The SkyHawks have another opportunity to dethrone No. 1 Etiwanda, tonight as pool play continues at the Inland Empire Tournament. This time they’ll have senior PG Montigo Alford in the lineup. We’ll see if he makes much difference in the result.
LAST WEEK: (No. 6); d. Claremont, 75-57, on 12/14; d. Rancho Cucamonga, NA, on 12/16.
THIS WEEK: vs. No. 1 Etiwanda TONIGHT.
7. Moreno Valley Rancho Verde (8-1) – The Mustangs have won five consecutive since losing to No. 3 Murrieta Valley in the championship game of the Big Daddy Tournament on 12/4. Junior wing Jordan Grace (6-2, 170) and freshman guard Deshon Taylor (5-11, 165) each scored 12 points as Rancho Verde opened play in a blowout victory over Ramona on Wednesday.
LAST WEEK: (No. 7); d. Riverside Arlington, 57-44, on 12/11; d. Riverside Ramona, 63-37, on 12/15.
THIS WEEK: vs. Moreno Valley Vista del Lago TONIGHT.
8. Ontario Colony (4-2) – The Titans found the winning touch this week, pouring in double-digit victories over Lakeside and Los Osos at the Inland Empire Tournament. Coach Jerry DeFabiis’s team faces a huge test tonight, when they take on No. 4 Upland as pool play continues.
LAST WEEK: (No. 8); d. Lake Elsinore Lakeside, 81-63, on 12/13; d. Rancho Cucamonga Los Osos, 87-64, on 12/14.
THIS WEEK: vs. No. 4 Upland TONIGHT.
9. Victorville Victor Valley (9-1) – The Jackrabbits finally hit a snag, losing by just three points to Clovis North in the title game at the Hansford HS Kings County Class. Senior guard Zeke DeBlase (5-11, 180) scored 17, and senior forward Isaiah Kepley (6-2, 175) had 15 in the loss.
LAST WEEK: d. Clovis, 68-60, on 12/10; lost to Clovis North, 58-55, on 12/11; d. Hesperia Oak Hills, 83-70, on 12/14; d. Barstow, 69-65, on 12/16.
NEXT GAME: at Cathedral City HS Desert Heat Invitational.
10. Chino Hills (5-0) — The Huskies jump into this week’s Inland Area Top 10 after limiting Los Osos to just 44 points in their matchup at the Inland Empire Tournament. Coach Steve Baik or a member of his staff should update a website or something, because this team is likely better than their record indicates and could be among the Area’s elite.
LAST WEEK: (Not Ranked); d. Rancho Cucamonga Los Osos, 58-44, on 12/13; d. Lake Elsinore Lakeside, 72-48, on 12/14.
NEXT GAME: at Covina HS Tournament.
DROPPED OUT: No. 10 Rancho Cucamonga Los Osos (6-3).
JUST MISSED: Temecula Chaparral (7-3), Redlands East Valley (6-2), Claremont (7-4).
INLAND FIELDHOUSE 