THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

Rk School (Section) Comment

1 WESTCHESTER

(City-Div. I) Amir Johnson’s transfer in limbo, but Comets’ winning a third consecutive Division I state title is not.

*

2 MATER DEI

(SS-Div. II-A) Mike Gerrity, Chris Henry and Marcel Jones bring experience to the Monarchs; freshman Taylor King brings fascination.

*

3 FAIRFAX

(City-Div. I) It would be difficult to find a better scoring combination than UCLA signee Josh Shipp and junior Jamal Boykin.

*

4 HARVARD-WESTLAKE

(SS-Div. III-A) If the Wolverines can find a reliable ball handler, they have a chance to play into mid-March again.

*

5 COM. CENTENNIAL

(SS-Div. III-A) Arron Afflalo is back after academic concerns with Centennial sent him to L.A. Price for two months.

*

6 L.B. POLY

(SS-Div. I-AA) Senior Marcus Lewis, all-Southern Section Division I-AA selection last season, is expected to get plenty of support.

*

7 KING

(SS, Div. II-AA) All five starters return, including Matt Thomas and James Ellis, who are in their fourth season patrolling the backcourt.

*

8 TAFT

(City-Div. I) Every fan should watch guard Jordan Farmar, a UCLA signee who averaged 29 points last season.

*

9 DOMINGUEZ

(SS-Div. II-A) Russell Otis has been back coaching the Dons for less than a year, but his four state titles still speak loudly.

*

10 CRENSHAW

(City-Div. I) Never overlook a team coached by Willie West, who guided the Cougars to eight state and 16 City championships.

*

11 OCEAN VIEW

(SS-Div. III-A) Guard Matt Sargeant, who averaged 20 points, complemented by four-year players Greg Okwudibonye and Bear Wurts.

*

12 SANTA MARGARITA

(SS-Div. III-AA) A lot of teams will be looking up to the Eagles, thanks to 6-11 center Todd Follmer and 6-8 forward James Keefe.

*

13 ST. JOHN BOSCO

(SS-Div. II-AA) Alex Jacobson, a 7-0 freshman center, is getting the most attention among the talented group of underclassmen.

*

14 VERBUM DEI

(SS-Div. IV-A) Eagles may have lost Johnson, but they return guard Mike Pagan, who had 14 points in section title game.

*

15 PRICE

(SS-Div. V-A) Division V-A co-player of the year Darren Morrison returns, as does first-team selection Schuyler McKay.

*

16 EL TORO

(SS-Div. I-A) Only two returning starters, but confidence is building after one of most successful summers in school history.

*

17 LOYOLA

(SS-Div. I-A) The Cubs might need to put four guards on the floor at times. Fortunately, one is two-time all-leaguer Vince Oliver.

*

18 CHAMINADE

(Div. III-A) With six guards capable of starting and no big men, Eagles will be forced to play full-court, man-to-man defense.

*

19 CANYON SPRINGS

(SS-Div. I-A) Junior Andre McGee was top player on last season’s team that lost to L.A. Loyola in the Division I-A final.

*

20 CLEVELAND

(City-Div. I) The Cavaliers like to implement an annoying press and score from a variety of spots, particularly around the perimeter.

*

21 MISSION VIEJO

(SS-Div. I-A) The Diablos won’t be at full strength until Jed Collins is finished knocking down ball carriers for the unbeaten football team.

*

22 CAPISTRANO VLY.

(SS-Div. I-A) The Cougars won’t need to look for a go-to guy again this season: Davis Baker averaged 23.6 points last season.

*

23 GLENDORA

(SS-Div. I-A) The Tartans have four returning starters and all the ingredients for a long playoff run, except a polished rebounder.

*

24 LEUZINGER

(SS-Div. I-AA) Several return from last season’s team that, despite being unseeded, lost by four points to Silverado in I-AA semifinals.

*

25 WOODBRIDGE

(SS-Div. II-A) David Burgess, a 6-10 center bound for BYU, should be a force in the middle again for the Warriors.