There’s no change in The Press Democrat’s girls prep basketball rankings this week after strong showings from every team in the top seven.
Top-ranked Cardinal Newman rolled to three more big victories last week, including completion of a league sweep of No. 2 Windsor. The Cardinals are looking sharp heading into the postseason and if they don’t make the North Coast Section Open Division bracket, they’ll have a very strong chance to win the Division 2 title.
Outside of losing to Newman, Windsor took care of business in the other two games last week.
No. 3 Justin-Siena cruised to two more league wins and is getting closer to capturing its third straight Vine Valley Athletic League title. The Braves did see their nine-game winning streak end in a 50-33 loss to Redwood, ranked No. 7 in the NCS, but that won’t hurt them in these rankings.
No. 4 Maria Carrillo also had a strong week, going 3-0 with league wins over Rancho Cotate and Montgomery and a come-from-behind 38-32 nonleague win over San Marin, a top-20 team in the NCS.
No. 5 American Canyon rolled to three more comfortable VVAL wins and No. 6 Sonoma Valley handled Vintage and Casa Grande after falling to Justin-Siena to start the week.
Ukiah rounds out the top seven. The Wildcats took control of the North Bay League Redwood title race with a win over Santa Rosa last week, giving them a two-game lead atop the standings with four games left.
1. Cardinal Newman (15-7)
Last ranking: 1
Since last ranking: 3-0, beat Analy 85-14, No. 2 Windsor 68-38 and Marin Catholic 65-33
This week: vs. Rancho Cotate (13-8)*, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; vs. No. 4 Maria Carrillo (16-5)*, 7:30 p.m. Friday2. Windsor (19-3)
Last ranking: 2
Since last ranking: 2-1, beat Montgomery 50-34, lost to No. 1 Cardinal Newman 68-38, beat Tamalpais 60-27
This week: at No. 4 Maria Carrillo (16-5)*, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; vs. Analy (3-18)*, 7:30 p.m. Friday
3. Justin-Siena (15-5)
Last ranking: 3
Since last ranking: 2-1, beat No. 6 Sonoma Valley 62-47 and Napa 67-19, lost to Redwood 50-33
This week: Played No. 5 American Canyon (16-5)* Tuesday night; at Casa Grande (6-14)*, 7 p.m. Thursday; at Vintage (11-8)*, 1 p.m. Saturday
4. Maria Carrillo (16-5)
Last ranking: 4
Since last ranking: 3-0, beat Rancho Cotate 53-42, Montgomery 62-29 and San Marin 38-32
This week: vs. No. 2 Windsor (19-3)*, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; at No. 1 Cardinal Newman (15-7)*, 7:30 p.m. Friday
5. American Canyon (16-5)
Last ranking: 5
Since last ranking: 3-0, beat Petaluma 62-22, Casa Grande 74-21 and Napa 67-15
This week: Played No. 3 Justin-Siena (15-5)* Tuesday; at No. 6 Sonoma Valley (15-6)*, 7 p.m. Thursday
6. Sonoma Valley (15-6)
Last ranking: 6
Since last ranking: 2-1, lost to No. 3 Justin-Siena 62-47, beat Vintage 66-34 and Petaluma 56-10
This week: vs. No. 5 American Canyon (16-5)*, 7 p.m. Thursday; at Casa Grande (6-14)*, 5:30 p.m. Saturday
7. Ukiah (15-6)
Last ranking: 7
Since last ranking: 2-0, beat Santa Rosa 51-47 and St. Vincent 54-30
This week: vs. Healdsburg (9-13)*, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday; at Elsie Allen (6-13)*, 7:30 p.m. Friday; at San Marin (14-7), 4:30 p.m. Saturday
On the bubble
Rancho Cotate (13-8), Santa Rosa (14-6)
* = league game
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