Inland Area Prep Basketball Top 10
1. Rancho Cucamonga Etiwanda (28-1) — The winning streak is at 25 games with no end in sight. Junior F Sheldon Blackwell (6-foot-4, 165 pounds) led three players in double-digits with 16 points in the victory over Gahr.
LAST RANKED: No. 1.
LAST GAME: def. Cerritos Gahr 60-52 in a CIF-Southern Section Division 1AA 2nd Round playoff game on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
NEXT TIPOFF: vs. Santa Monica in a CIF-Southern Section Division 1AA Quarterfinal Round playoff game TONIGHT.
2. Murrieta Valley (25-2) — The Nighthawks have held both of its postseason opponents to less than 40 points en route to the quarterfinals. Senior G Reid Shackelford (6-foot, 160 pounds) was 4 of 7 from three-point range and scored a game-high 18 points in the win over Troy.
LAST RANKED: No. 2.
LAST GAME: def. Fullerton Troy 65-37 in a CIF-SS Division 2A 2nd Round playoff game on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
NEXT TIPOFF: vs. Santa Maria Righetti in a CIF-SS Division 2A Quarterfinal Round playoff game TONIGHT.
3. La Verne Lutheran (23-6) — The Trojans did just barely enough to slip by Oaks Christian and into the CIF-Southern Section Division 4AA semifinals.
LAST RANKED: No. 3.
LAST GAME: def. Westlake Village Oaks Christian 50-48 in a CIF-SS Division 4AA Quarterfinal Round playoff game on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
NEXT TIPOFF: vs. Encino Crespi in CIF-SS Division 4AA Semifinal Round playoff game on SATURDAY.
4. Rialto Eisenhower (20-7) — The Eagles’ defense has carried Coach Steve Johnson’s team thus far, allowing just 79 points in two games. Senior SG Marvelle Harris (6-foot-2, 185 pounds) made the game-winner vs. Rancho Verde.
LAST RANKED: No. 4.
LAST GAME: def. MoVal Rancho Verde 51-50 in a CIF-SS Division 1AA 2nd Round playoff game on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
NEXT TIPOFF: at Long Beach Poly in a CIF-SS Division 1AA Quarterfinal Round playoff game TONIGHT.
5. Elsinore (26-3) — The Tigers have won 24 of their last 25 games behind the stellar guard play senior PG E.J. Twyman (6-foot-1, 175) and senior SG Lawrence Chamberlain (6-3, 170), the top backcourt duo in the Inland Area.
LAST RANKED: No. 8.
LAST GAME: def. Compton Dominguez 88-66 in a CIF-Southern Section Division 2A 2nd Round playoff game on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
NEXT TIPOFF: at Lawndale Leuzinger in a CIF-SS Division 2A Quarterfinal Round playoff game TONIGHT.
6. Riverside North (23-5) — The Huskies have outscored playoff opponents by and average of 22 points. Sophomore G Deshon Taylor (6-foot, 170 pounds) had 17 points, three assists and four steal in a CIF-Southern Section Division 2AA 1st Round victory over Simi Valley.
LAST RANKED: No. 9.
LAST GAME: def. Temecula Valley 66-46 in a CIF-SS Division 2AA 2nd Round playoff game on Tuesday, Feb., 21.
NEXT TIPOFF: at Fullerton Sunny Hills in a CIF-SS Division 2AA Quarterfinal Round playoff game TONIGHT.
7. Riverside Poly (20-8) — The Bears are finding ways to win and tons of credit should go to Coach Mark Vanta. He’s put players in positions to succeed, and the seniors have taken over.
LAST RANKED: No. 10.
LAST GAME: def. Chino Hills Ayala 44-42 in a CIF-SS Division 2AA 2nd Round playoff game on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
NEXT TIPOFF: vs. Thousand Oaks in a CIF-SS Division 2AA Quarterfinal playoff game TONIGHT.
8. Ontario Colony (21-8) — The Titans are getting tons of offense and playing a little defense, too. Coach Jerry Di Fabiis is no stranger to deep playoffs runs. The man has a CIF title under his belt.
LAST RANKED: Not Ranked.
LAST GAME: def. Culver City 96-82 in a CIF-SS Division 2A 2nd Round playoff game on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
NEXT TIPOFF: at Compton in a CIF-SS Division 2A Quarterfinal Round playoff game TONIGHT.
9. Corona (18-10) — The Panthers are in the playoffs (again) and are ready to make some noice. Coach Chris Maffucci is turning Circle City into a hoops hotbed.
LAST RANKED: Not Ranked:
LAST GAME: def. Aliso Niguel 80-62 in a CIF-SS Division 1A 2nd Round playoff games on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
NEXT TIPOFF: at Orange Lutheran in a CIF-SS Division 1A Quarterfinal Round playoff game TONIGHT.
10. Upland (20-9) — The Highlanders have hung in and around the Inland Area Top 10 all season based on shear athleticism. Can this group, which includes blue-chip football recruit Kenny Lawler (6-foot-4, 185 pounds) prove their also a team?
LAST RANKED: Not Ranked.
LAST GAME: def. Apple Valley Quartz Hill 80-55 in a CIF-SS Division 1AA 2nd Round playoff games on Tuesday, Feb. 21.
NEXT TIPOFF: vs. Los Angeles Loyola in a CIF-SS Division 1AA Quarterfinal Round playoff game TONIGHT.
DROPPED OUT: La Verne Damien (26-3), Fontana Summit (22-7), Victorville Silverado (22-3).
JUST MISSED: Vista Murrieta (16-11), MoVal Rancho Verde (21-7), Rancho Cucamonga (16-12).
INLAND FIELDHOUSE 