As you may know (or remember from past seasons), I do things a little differently than other polls.
First, I only rate teams I've seen in person (which includes teams I've seen play in the showcases last summer or fall).
Also, I don't rank the teams statewide. The state rankings are interesting and all that, but they're really meaningless. Regional rankings will ultimately determine playoff seedings (as done by the seeding committee) so that's what counts.
I've also ranked 20 teams in the South, and 18 in the North. Not coincidentally, those are the numbers of teams that will make the playoffs.
And finally, these are my subjective opinions. I will finish the season having seen 60+ games involving 70+ different teams. I'm sure the games I actually watch have a significant impact on my opinions, though I also look at other results, standings, etc.
This certainly isn't the final word, but I like to think it's fairly well-informed and I know it's not biased. And sometimes, it might even be right.
============
as of 2/24/08 (end of regular season)
Rankings: - Comment
South:
1. Citrus - Best regular season in school history at 30-1
2. Fullerton - OEC champs finished with 10-game win streak
3. LA Trade Tech - SCC-North champs
4. Irvine Valley - Very close second in OEC at 26-4
5. LA Southwest - Rolled through SCC-South after inconsistent tourney season
6. Riverside - 3rd in ultra-competitive OEC at 25-7
7. Antelope Valley - Part of 3-way tie atop the Foothill
8. Ventura - Won WSC-North despite rather difficult circumstances
9. Mt. San Jacinto - Another part of the 3-way tie atop the Foothill
10. LA City - Streak ended but still went an impressive 24-8
11. Bakersfield - Gave Citrus all it could handle - twice
12. Desert - Third nose on the wire in dead heat in Foothill
13. El Camino - First 20-win season in several years for upstart Warriors
14. San Bernardino Valley - Leonard, Barnes & Letson nearly carried them into playoffs
15. LA Valley - 3rd in tough WSC-South got them into postseason
16. Compton - Recovered from 3-12 start to reach .500 and was 7-3 in SCC-North
17. Oxnard - Skeleton crew finished just a game out in WSC-North
18. Cerritos - Strong finish should get them into postseason
19. Chaffey - Inconsistent but finished .500 in tough Foothill and is 17-13 overall
20. Imperial Valley - Ran away with the PCC
Also considered: Allan Hancock, Barstow, Canyons, Cuesta, Cuyamaca, Cypress, East LA, Glendale, LA Harbor, Long Beach, LA Pierce, Mira Costa, Moorpark, Mt. San Antonio, Orange Coast, Palomar, Pasadena, Rio Hondo, Saddleback, San Diego City, San Diego Mesa, Santa Ana, Santa Barbara, Santa Monica, Victor Valley, West LA
==============
North:
1. Yuba - Finished regular season 30-3 including 22-game win streak
2. San Francisco - Coast-North champs are 27-3
3. Diablo Valley - Big 8 Champs went 26-7 in regular season
4. Fresno - Defending champs went 28-7 to win the always-tough CVC
5. San Joaquin Delta - 5 losses are to CCSF (2), DVC (2) & Fresno
6. Cabrillo - Had little trouble winning Coast-South
7. Los Medanos - Beat Yuba (in 3rd try) so they can beat anyone
8. American River - Very dangerous - playoff dark horse
9. Sequoias - 20 wins and a share of 2nd place in CVC
10. Chabot - Got to 20 wins despite .500 in conference
11. Monterey Peninsula - Strong second in Coast-South
12. Santa Rosa - Came on strong lately to tie for 3rd in Big 8
13. Reedley - Part of 3-way tie for 2nd in CVC
14. Lassen - Ran away with the GVC
15. West Hills - Strong finish means they're in the playoffs
16. Foothill - Huge late run got them to .500 in conference and 17-13 overall
17. Redwoods - Small but smart team overachieved but just missed playoffs
18. West Valley - Talented trio of Alexander & two Stewarts almost snuck them into playoffs
NOTE: I didn't get to see Ohlone (they went two-and-out at the Delta tourney so they didn't play the day I was there) but based on their record & results they're arguably a Top 10 team and will undoubtedly make the playoffs.
Also Considered: Butte, Cosumnes River, Feather River, Las Positas, Marin, Modesto, Napa Valley, San Jose, Shasta, Skyline
