Inland Area Prep Basketball Top 10
1. Murrieta Valley (6-0) — The Nighthawks continue to run their motion sets down the throats of opponents, and are in line for a second consecutive preseason tournament title.
LAST RANKED: No. 1.
LAST GAME: def. Perris Citrus Hill 64-50 on Wednesday, Dec. 7, in a quarterfinal game at the Nighthawk Classic at Murrieta Valley HS.
NEXT TIPOFF: vs. Lake Elsinore Temescal Canyon TONIGHT.
2. Fontana Summit (5-1) — The SkyHawks have rattled off five consecutive victories since dropping their season opener. Senior Isaiah Taylor is averaging 22 points per game for Coach John Viencek, who plays his first ranked opponent tonight.
LAST RANKED: No. 2.
LAST GAME: def. Glendora 54-53 in non-league game on Wednesday, Dec. 7.
NEXT TIPOFF: vs. No. 3 Rancho Cucamonga Etiwanda TONIGHT.
3. Rancho Cucamonga Etiwanda (3-1) — The Eagles’ only loss thus far was to parochial powerhouse La Verne Lutheran. Coach Dave Kleckner’s crew faces a public-school standout tonight.
LAST RANKED: No. 4.
LAST GAME: lost 72-61 to La Verne Lutheran on Saturday, Dec. 3, in the championship game of the Rose City Classic at Pasadena HS.
NEXT TIPOFF: at No. 2 Fontana Summit TONIGHT.
4. Corona Centennial (3-2) — The Huskies are struggling to win games against quality opponents, the hallmark of any young team.
LAST RANKED: No. 3.
LAST GAME: lost 59-39 to Pacific Palisades on Tuesday, Dec. 6 at The Tournament at Santa Monica HS.
NEXT TIPOFF: at The Tournament TONIGHT.
5. Rialto Eisenhower (3-2) — The Eagles’ losses are by a combined total of 11 points. Senior Terrance Sims scored 23 points last night in a blowout victory.
LAST RANKED: No. 5.
LAST GAME: def. East Bakersfield 72-47 on Thursday, Dec. 8, in second-round game at The Tournament at Santa Monica HS.
NEXT TIPOFF: at The Tournament TONIGHT.
6. Upland (3-0) — The Highlanders look solid thus far, their last two victories have been by 36 and 20 points, respectively.
LAST RANKED: No. 6.
LAST GAME: def. Covina Charter Oak 88-68 on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Charger Classic at Charter Oak HS.
NEXT TIPOFF: at San Bernardino San Gorgonio TONIGHT.
7. Moreno Valley Rancho Verde (4-2) — The Mutangs scored note-worthy 69-point victory over Killarney School of Vancouver, Canada but followed it up by losing to the tournament hosts.
LAST RANKED: No. 7.
LAST GAME: lost 62-59 to Huntington Beach Ocean View on Thursday, Dec. 8, at the Ocean View HS tournament.
NEXT GAME: vs. Los Angeles Manual Arts TONIGHT.
8. La Verne Damien (2-0) — The Spartans breezed through the opening week but have traveled up to the East Bay for a tournament this weekend. Senior F/C Chris Reyes (6-foot-7, 215 pounds) is averaging 20 point and 14.5 rebounds.
LAST RANKED: No. 8.
LAST GAME: at Fairfield at the Concord De La Salle HS Tournament on Thursday, Dec. 8.
NEXT TIPOFF: vs. Antioch Deer Valley HS TONIGHT.
9. La Verne Lutheran (4-0) — The Trojans get noticed after whooping No. 3 Etiwanda at the Rose City Classic. Coach Eric Cooper’s freelance team is led by 6-foot-10, 230-pound senior F/C Grant Jerrett, a 4-star recuit headed to the Univ. of Arizona. Jerrett is averaging 23 points and 14 rebounds per game.
LAST RANKED: Not Ranked.
LAST GAME: def. Chino 87-24 in a non-league game on Thursday, Dec. 8.
NEXT TIPOFF: at Los Angeles Windward on TUESDAY.
10. Riverside North (4-0) — The Huskies practically took over the Diamondback Tournament, sweeping its competition by an average of 13 points. Senior F Aaron Peck (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) was named tourney co-MVP after scoring 23 in the title game.
LAST RANKED: Not Ranked.
LAST GAME: def. Victorville Silverado 72-59 Saturday, Dec. 3, in the championship game at the Diamondback Tournament at Phelan Serrano HS.
NEXT TIPOFF: at Corona on TUESDAY.
DROPPED OUT: Perris Citrus Hill (2-4); Redlands East Valley (2-3).
JUST MISSED: Beaumont (5-1), Ontario Colony (3-1), Riverside King (4-2).
INLAND FIELDHOUSE 