Newman and Justin start year as top 2

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Pair followed by Windsor, AmCan, Carrillo in first rankings

Cardinal Newman guard Macie Flores shields the ball from St. Ignatius defender Meaghan Manning during their Northern California Division I playoff game in March in Santa Rosa. John Burgess — The Press Democrat

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By Gus Morris

gus.morris@pressdemocrat.com

With basketball season well underway and some local teams already approaching the 10-game mark, it’s time to take a stab at the first team rankings of the season. These rankings of the top seven North Bay girls teams are determined by the sports staff at The Press Democrat.

State-ranked Cardinal Newman holds down the No. 1 spot. The Cardinals were ranked No. 20 by CalHi Sports in the preseason a few weeks ago and are off to a 4-1 start to the year with wins over Heritage (67-43), Archbishop Riordan (60-57), Oakland (72-11) and Whitney (77-21).

Justin-Siena, coming off a run to the CIF state Division 3 NorCal regional final, comes in at No. 2.

The Braves have only played two games so far, beating Marin Catholic 47-40 in their opener before falling 52-38 to Salesian. Marin Catholic beat the Braves in the state playoffs last year en route to winning the state Division 3 title.

Windsor is showing marked signs of improvement this season and could be one of the top teams in the North Bay League Oak division. The Jaguars are 5-0 to start the year with a quality win over Bethel (61-50) and Ferndale (61-56 in overtime). Ferndale won the North Coast Section Division 6 title last year and Bethel has a win over American Canyon.

That loss to Bethel keeps American Canyon at No. 4 for now. The Wolves have played a more difficult schedule than Windsor to date but only have a 46-39 victory over Rancho Cotate in the win column.

All three of their losses have been by close margins — 50-46 to Bethel, 68-67 to Kimball and 56-51 to University.

Maria Carrillo has some dominant wins this season, enough to give the Pumas the No. 5 spot in the first rankings.

All four of their wins are by 20 points or more and their losses are against solid programs in Redwood (54-31) and Alameda (64-26).

Santa Rosa is off to a roaring start at 6-0. The Panthers have local wins over Petaluma (45-9), Analy (51-50) and Sonoma Valley (48-40). They also beat Concord twice last week in their last action until Dec. 19.

That win over Sonoma Valley gives Santa Rosa the edge over the Dragons at Nos. 6 and 7.

That is still the only loss of the year for Sonoma Valley, which counts wins over Archie Williams (50-45), St. Bernard’s (52-25) and Rancho Cotate (42-24).

Ukiah, Rancho Cotate and St. Vincent are the first teams on the bubble.

1. Cardinal Newman (4-1)

Last week: 2-1, beat Oakland 72-11, lost to Buchanan 62-39, beat Whitney 77-21.

Next up: Paris Twins Classic.

2. Justin-Siena (1-1)

Last week: 1-1, beat Marin Catholic 47-40, lost to Salesian 52-38.

Next up: Redwood Empire Invitational Basketball Tournament in Healdsburg.

3. Windsor (5-0)

Last week: 3-0, won Sandy Mac tournament. Beat Point Arena 99-23, Lower Lake 61-36 and Ferndale in overtime, 61-56.

Next up: host Rumble in the Jungle tournament.

4. American Canyon (1-3)

Last week: 1-2, beat Rancho Cotate 46-39, lost to Kimball 68-67 and University 56-51.

Next up: Rumble in the Jungle in Windsor.

5. Maria Carrillo (4-2)

Last week: 1-1, lost to Alameda 64-26, beat John Swett 46-7.

Next up: vs. Archie Williams (2-2), 7 p.m. Saturday.

6. Santa Rosa (6-0)

Last week: 2-0, beat Concord 49-31 and 55-33.

Next up: vs. Terra Linda (1-3), Dec. 19.

7. Sonoma Valley (6-1)

Last week: 5-0, beat Tamalpais, won home Lady Dragon Classic. Beat Analy 65-23, Archie Williams 50-45 and St. Bernard’s 52-25. Also beat Rancho Cotate 42-24.

Next up: at Las Lomas (1-4), 1 p.m. Saturday.

On the bubble

Ukiah (3-2), Rancho Cotate (4-4), St. Vincent (4-1).