OC Boys Top 25 Coaches Poll 1/2/23

Some notes on this week’s OC Boys Top 25 Coaches Poll:

Mater Dei (12-2): The Monarchs defeated Lincoln from Stockton 81-54 to win the In-N-Out Division of the Desert Holiday Classic. Senior Zach Davidson scored 18 points with 9 rebounds in the championship and was named Tournament MVP. Sophomore Owen Verna and Freshman Luke Barnett were named All-Tournament.

Foothill (15-1): For the second year in a row the Knights won the Senator Division of The Holiday Classic. Foothill defeated Mater Dei Catholic from Chula Vista 65-59 in the finals to win their 10th game in a row. Sophomore Travis Paleo scored 26 points in the championship game and averaged 18.5 ppg and 3 rpg while being named Tournament MVP.

Los Alamitos (13-4): Trailing 36-24 at the end of the 3rd, the Griffins dug their heels in defensively and only allowed Tesoro to score 4 points in the 4th. Los Alamitos came away with the 44-40 come-from-behind win to take home the Tustin Holiday Classic championship. Sophomore Trent Minter was named Tournament MVP while fellow Sophomores Liam Gray and Wesley Trevino were selected to the  All-Tournament Team.

Orangewood Academy (15-3): The Spartans went 4-0 at the Anaheim Colony Classic to claim the tournament championship after defeating Northwood 83-42 in the finals. Cameron Mercadel, LJ Brown, and Alier Alier led the way for Orangewood Academy, who travels to #7 Pacifica Christian on Wednesday at 6pm in a San Joaquin League opener for both teams.

Sonora (14-4): Senior Yoda Oke was named Tournament MVP of the Mt. Carmel Tournament after the Raiders defeated tournament host Mt. Carmel 88-48 in the championship game. Senior Ernest Love and Junior Eric Castillo were selected to the All-Tournament Team.

Capistrano Valley (12-4): With their 76-68 OT win over #22 Portola, the Cougars won the Design Pro Division of the Desert Holiday Classic. Senior Efe Gucoglu was named Tournament MVP and Seniors Jalen Constantino and Jackson Gray were named All-Tournament.

Fountain Valley (13-5): Continuing to climb in the polls, the Barons defeated Summit 55-44 to win the Jimmy Johns Division of the Desert Holiday Classic.