1. Salesian (31-2)
The Pride will start the year in the same spot they ended 2023-2024 with key returners like Alvin Loving (Yale) and junior Elias Obenyah. More players to watch include Leon Powe Jr., Isaiah Davis and Carlton Perrilliat. Salesian has games against Ygnacio Valley and Modesto Christian before playing in the Gridley Invitational Basketball Tournament.
2. Riordan (25-5)
The Crusaders remain flush with talent led by Texas A&M bound Jasir Renchar, UC Irvine bound post Steven Emeneke, top junior guard Andrew Hillman, versatile senior John Tofi and other seniors to watch in Kirby Seals and Ryder Bush. Riordan will be tested in the first month with a game against San Ramon Valley and trips to Gridley and Torrey Pines.
3. Modesto Christian (28-6)
Coming off the SJS Division I title and a NorCal Open Division win at De La Salle, Modesto Christian projects to remain in the mix with the return of Long Beach State signee Gavin Sykes and Stanford 2026 commit Myles Jones. Senior Ry Atkins and Mason Brown also figure to play key roles. The Crusaders start off the season with tough NorCal competition with Moreau Catholic, Oakland and Salesian and will host their tournament at the end of December.
4. De La Salle (25-6)
For the Spartans, it starts with do-it-all senior Alec Blair, who is pledged to play basketball and baseball at Oklahoma. Braddock Kjellesvig and Ibrahim Monawar are also ranked prospects to suit up for De La Salle, which starts the season at the NorCal Tip-Off Classic with Crespi and will host its Chris Vontoure Classic with Santa Margarita on the other side of the bracket. De La Salle will play in the HoopHall Classic in Arizona at the beginning of January.
5. San Ramon Valley (29-8)
UC Irvine bound Luke Isaak, Mason Thomas, Thoms Conley and Elliot Conley are part of a returning core for the 2024 NorCal Division I champions. We will get a good idea of the Wolves in the first few weeks of the season with a game against Lincoln-Stockton at the NorCal Tip-Off Classic, Riordan at the Crusader Classic and the Gridley Invitational Basketball Tournament.
6. Destiny Christian (23-9)
With a new name and mascot, the Destiny Christian Academy Lions start the year as the top team in the Sacramento Area. Jaylen Valdez averaged 19 points, five rebounds and four assists per game last year and will be joined by Myles Wiggins, Jephte Tambala and Danny Panda. The schedule starts tough with games against Vanden, Dublin and Weston Ranch before a trip to Gridley.
7. St. Ignatius (21-8)
Can St. Ignatius break into the top tier of the WCAL that has been controlled by Riordan and Mitty in recent years? With returners like Raymond Whitley, Ty Landers, Steele LaBagh and Vince Crisp, the Wildcats will start in the Top 10. They will take on Vanden at the NorCal Tip-Off Classic and also take on San Ramon Valley at the Crusader Classic at Riordan.
8. Rocklin (28-4)
The Thunder start the 2024-2025 season with a strong inside-outside combo with Sacramento State bound post Mark Lavrenov (18 points, 11 rebounds) and guard Josiah Andrews (15 points, three rebounds, three assists). Overall, they return four of their top six scorers. Rocklin takes on Inderkum at the Fortune Showcase on November 23 and will travel to Torrey Pines to end December.
9. Dougherty Valley (21-11)
Dougherty Valley made a surprising run to win the NCS Division I title last year led in part by then freshman guard Rylan Sevilla. He is joined by a pair of projected impact transfers with Jalen Stokes, who has signed with UC Davis, and junior guard Rashad Cotton. The Wildcats will play Clovis North on November 30 at the Bishop O’Dowd Showcase, Moreau Catholic on December 7 at the NorCal Ultimate Challenge and the Santa Barbara Holiday Classic post Christmas.
10. Mitty (23-8)
Mitty lost a pair of Division I recruits, but few programs have consistently been around the Open Division as Mitty since its inception in 2013. Leading the charge this season is talented junior guard Caedon Hutcherson. Mitty has a single game against Monterey Trail and will be at the Father Barry Classic at Jesuit. The Monarchs will also stay local post Christmas with a tournament at San Leandro.
11. Folsom (17-12)
The Bulldogs played with just one senior on the roster last season to end a six year run of winning at least a share of the SFL title. Chase Rawlins (UC Davis) and Joven Dulay each averaged 17 points per game last year and Kaiser Bowen is a guard to watch. Folsom will take part in the Edison Winners Classic and will host its Stan Harms Classic from December 19-21.
12. Oakland Tech (30-5)
Oakland Tech won the Division II state title and is bringing back one of the top unsigned seniors in Adarius Grayson. In total, the Bulldogs return three of their top four scorers including rising prospect Xan Meyer-Plettner. Oakland Tech will play Moreau Catholic and Sheldon at the O’Dowd Thanksgiving Classic on November 29 and 30 and will take on St. Joseph-Santa Maria at the Mission Prep Showcase.
13. Moreau Catholic (21-8)
The Mariners were expected to be among the top teams in the NCS this season with a returning core of Cole Loud, Dominic Walker and Kareem Jackson Jr.. In total, six of the top seven scorers are back and they have added Pacific signee Kellen Hampton, who played at Moreau Catholic earlier in his career. Moreau Catholic starts the year against Top 20 teams Oakland Tech, Modesto Christian and Dougherty Valley before a trip to Hawaii.
14. Inderkum (23-8)
Inderkum put four players in double figures last season and three of them are back with sophomore Siincere Hudson, senior Taylen Goodman and senior Malachi Johnson. The Tigers open the season against Rocklin and will take part in the Clovis West Nike Invitational with games against San Joaquin Memorial and Clovis West.
15. Lincoln-Stockton (26-7)
Anthony Moore (Weber State) is back as a potential All-NorCal player to lead the Trojans, which reached the SJS Division I finals in 2024. Isaiah Davis and Donez Lindsey also averaged double figures as juniors. Lincoln takes on San Ramon Valley at the NorCal Tip-Off Classic and will participate in Edison Winners Classic.
16. Branson (23-8)
Branson had the best backcourt in NorCal last year with Jase Butler (now at Washington) and Semetri Carr (now at Redwood HS), but will need to rebuild on the fly. A good starting point is sophomore guard NJ Gray, who had a breakout summer. Sophomore Heath French and junior Chase Robertson are other players to watch. The Bulls start off at the NorCal Tip-Off Classic against Ygnacio Valley, which also has a good case for the Top 20 inclusion. They will also play in the Gridley Invitational Basketball Tournament, the Tarkanian Classic and The Classic at Damian.
17. Vanden (24-9)
The duo of Tyler Thompson and Ahsan Huff have graduated, but there is talent remaining for the Vikings. Juniors James Carraway and Michael Wright have emerged as 2026 recruits to watch while senior Isaih Dixon and sophomore Templeton Fountaine V will be key contributors too.
18. Sacramento (25-8)
The Dragons are slated to return six of their top eight scorers led by senior Sir Marius Jones, who averaged 21 points per game. Sacramento will play Clovis North at the Heart of California Classic and also play Ygnacio Valley in the preseason. Moving to the MEL, it will compete with fellow Top 20 program Vanden.
19. Clayton Valley Charter (23-10)
When putting together a high school basketball team, starting with a Division I level guard is a good spot. The Eagles have that in Elijah Perryman (Utah State). Junior Vince Ellis also emerged with nine points per game as a sophomore. Clayton Valley Charter plays Weston Ranch and Clovis West before heading to Gridley for the GIBT. They will also host their Riley Christiansen Memorial Classic.
20. Franklin-Elk Grove (23-7)
Aiden Rollins has emerged as one of the top guards in Northern California and was the Wildcats’ leading scorer last season. He is part of five of the top seven scorers back for Franklin, which will host its Wildcat Winter Classic starting on December 12.
The Pride will start the year in the same spot they ended 2023-2024 with key returners like Alvin Loving (Yale) and junior Elias Obenyah. More players to watch include Leon Powe Jr., Isaiah Davis and Carlton Perrilliat. Salesian has games against Ygnacio Valley and Modesto Christian before playing in the Gridley Invitational Basketball Tournament.
2. Riordan (25-5)
The Crusaders remain flush with talent led by Texas A&M bound Jasir Renchar, UC Irvine bound post Steven Emeneke, top junior guard Andrew Hillman, versatile senior John Tofi and other seniors to watch in Kirby Seals and Ryder Bush. Riordan will be tested in the first month with a game against San Ramon Valley and trips to Gridley and Torrey Pines.
3. Modesto Christian (28-6)
Coming off the SJS Division I title and a NorCal Open Division win at De La Salle, Modesto Christian projects to remain in the mix with the return of Long Beach State signee Gavin Sykes and Stanford 2026 commit Myles Jones. Senior Ry Atkins and Mason Brown also figure to play key roles. The Crusaders start off the season with tough NorCal competition with Moreau Catholic, Oakland and Salesian and will host their tournament at the end of December.
4. De La Salle (25-6)
For the Spartans, it starts with do-it-all senior Alec Blair, who is pledged to play basketball and baseball at Oklahoma. Braddock Kjellesvig and Ibrahim Monawar are also ranked prospects to suit up for De La Salle, which starts the season at the NorCal Tip-Off Classic with Crespi and will host its Chris Vontoure Classic with Santa Margarita on the other side of the bracket. De La Salle will play in the HoopHall Classic in Arizona at the beginning of January.
5. San Ramon Valley (29-8)
UC Irvine bound Luke Isaak, Mason Thomas, Thoms Conley and Elliot Conley are part of a returning core for the 2024 NorCal Division I champions. We will get a good idea of the Wolves in the first few weeks of the season with a game against Lincoln-Stockton at the NorCal Tip-Off Classic, Riordan at the Crusader Classic and the Gridley Invitational Basketball Tournament.
6. Destiny Christian (23-9)
With a new name and mascot, the Destiny Christian Academy Lions start the year as the top team in the Sacramento Area. Jaylen Valdez averaged 19 points, five rebounds and four assists per game last year and will be joined by Myles Wiggins, Jephte Tambala and Danny Panda. The schedule starts tough with games against Vanden, Dublin and Weston Ranch before a trip to Gridley.
7. St. Ignatius (21-8)
Can St. Ignatius break into the top tier of the WCAL that has been controlled by Riordan and Mitty in recent years? With returners like Raymond Whitley, Ty Landers, Steele LaBagh and Vince Crisp, the Wildcats will start in the Top 10. They will take on Vanden at the NorCal Tip-Off Classic and also take on San Ramon Valley at the Crusader Classic at Riordan.
8. Rocklin (28-4)
The Thunder start the 2024-2025 season with a strong inside-outside combo with Sacramento State bound post Mark Lavrenov (18 points, 11 rebounds) and guard Josiah Andrews (15 points, three rebounds, three assists). Overall, they return four of their top six scorers. Rocklin takes on Inderkum at the Fortune Showcase on November 23 and will travel to Torrey Pines to end December.
9. Dougherty Valley (21-11)
Dougherty Valley made a surprising run to win the NCS Division I title last year led in part by then freshman guard Rylan Sevilla. He is joined by a pair of projected impact transfers with Jalen Stokes, who has signed with UC Davis, and junior guard Rashad Cotton. The Wildcats will play Clovis North on November 30 at the Bishop O’Dowd Showcase, Moreau Catholic on December 7 at the NorCal Ultimate Challenge and the Santa Barbara Holiday Classic post Christmas.
10. Mitty (23-8)
Mitty lost a pair of Division I recruits, but few programs have consistently been around the Open Division as Mitty since its inception in 2013. Leading the charge this season is talented junior guard Caedon Hutcherson. Mitty has a single game against Monterey Trail and will be at the Father Barry Classic at Jesuit. The Monarchs will also stay local post Christmas with a tournament at San Leandro.
11. Folsom (17-12)
The Bulldogs played with just one senior on the roster last season to end a six year run of winning at least a share of the SFL title. Chase Rawlins (UC Davis) and Joven Dulay each averaged 17 points per game last year and Kaiser Bowen is a guard to watch. Folsom will take part in the Edison Winners Classic and will host its Stan Harms Classic from December 19-21.
12. Oakland Tech (30-5)
Oakland Tech won the Division II state title and is bringing back one of the top unsigned seniors in Adarius Grayson. In total, the Bulldogs return three of their top four scorers including rising prospect Xan Meyer-Plettner. Oakland Tech will play Moreau Catholic and Sheldon at the O’Dowd Thanksgiving Classic on November 29 and 30 and will take on St. Joseph-Santa Maria at the Mission Prep Showcase.
13. Moreau Catholic (21-8)
The Mariners were expected to be among the top teams in the NCS this season with a returning core of Cole Loud, Dominic Walker and Kareem Jackson Jr.. In total, six of the top seven scorers are back and they have added Pacific signee Kellen Hampton, who played at Moreau Catholic earlier in his career. Moreau Catholic starts the year against Top 20 teams Oakland Tech, Modesto Christian and Dougherty Valley before a trip to Hawaii.
14. Inderkum (23-8)
Inderkum put four players in double figures last season and three of them are back with sophomore Siincere Hudson, senior Taylen Goodman and senior Malachi Johnson. The Tigers open the season against Rocklin and will take part in the Clovis West Nike Invitational with games against San Joaquin Memorial and Clovis West.
15. Lincoln-Stockton (26-7)
Anthony Moore (Weber State) is back as a potential All-NorCal player to lead the Trojans, which reached the SJS Division I finals in 2024. Isaiah Davis and Donez Lindsey also averaged double figures as juniors. Lincoln takes on San Ramon Valley at the NorCal Tip-Off Classic and will participate in Edison Winners Classic.
16. Branson (23-8)
Branson had the best backcourt in NorCal last year with Jase Butler (now at Washington) and Semetri Carr (now at Redwood HS), but will need to rebuild on the fly. A good starting point is sophomore guard NJ Gray, who had a breakout summer. Sophomore Heath French and junior Chase Robertson are other players to watch. The Bulls start off at the NorCal Tip-Off Classic against Ygnacio Valley, which also has a good case for the Top 20 inclusion. They will also play in the Gridley Invitational Basketball Tournament, the Tarkanian Classic and The Classic at Damian.
17. Vanden (24-9)
The duo of Tyler Thompson and Ahsan Huff have graduated, but there is talent remaining for the Vikings. Juniors James Carraway and Michael Wright have emerged as 2026 recruits to watch while senior Isaih Dixon and sophomore Templeton Fountaine V will be key contributors too.
18. Sacramento (25-8)
The Dragons are slated to return six of their top eight scorers led by senior Sir Marius Jones, who averaged 21 points per game. Sacramento will play Clovis North at the Heart of California Classic and also play Ygnacio Valley in the preseason. Moving to the MEL, it will compete with fellow Top 20 program Vanden.
19. Clayton Valley Charter (23-10)
When putting together a high school basketball team, starting with a Division I level guard is a good spot. The Eagles have that in Elijah Perryman (Utah State). Junior Vince Ellis also emerged with nine points per game as a sophomore. Clayton Valley Charter plays Weston Ranch and Clovis West before heading to Gridley for the GIBT. They will also host their Riley Christiansen Memorial Classic.
20. Franklin-Elk Grove (23-7)
Aiden Rollins has emerged as one of the top guards in Northern California and was the Wildcats’ leading scorer last season. He is part of five of the top seven scorers back for Franklin, which will host its Wildcat Winter Classic starting on December 12.
