MaxPreps 2014-15 preseason Northern California Top 25 high school basketball rankings

Hoops season is here, and familiar programs and athletes dot the MaxPreps Northern California preseason Top 25 rankings.

Schools from large, medium and small enrollments are included, as small schools have toppled larger ones before, and may again this season.

See Northern California basketball pro photo galleries


1. Bishop O'Dowd (Oakland) 28-5 last season
Section: North Coast
Outlook: The defending NorCal Open Division champions could be even better this season with national Player of the Year candidate center Ivan Rabb and standout guard Paris Austin. An ambitious early schedule includes two-time defending national No. 1 Montverde Academy (Florida) on Dec. 12 in the Sunshine State.

2. Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 27-5
Section: Central Coast
Outlook: After three straight NorCal championships, including the Open Division, the Monarchs were again a factor in the Open last season, losing in the semifinals to Capital Christian (Sacramento). Center Ben Kone is a junior inside force. Early games include No. 4 El Cerrito and No. 6 Moreau Catholic.

3. Folsom 32-3
Section: Sac-Joaquin
Outlook: Led by Sacramento Bee Player of the Year Jordan Ford, a smooth guard, the Bulldogs won the NorCal Division II title and return their top six players. The veterans include center Colin Russell and guard Jared Wall, son of coach Mike Wall, and there's a boost with Sacramento High transfer guard Tre Finch. The Bulldogs play in the national powerhouse MaxPreps Holiday Tournament.

4. El Cerrito 28-5
Section: North Coast
Outlook: The Gauchos were in the NorCal Open Division playoffs last season and lost four games by fewer than 10 points. Guard Tyrell Alcorn, wing Sayeed Pridgett and center Aaron Banks lead the way. Early meetings include No. 2 Mitty and No. 5 Modesto Christian.

5. Modesto Christian 24-9
Section: Sac-Joaquin
Outlook: The longtime Sac-Joaquin Section powers played in the NorCal Open Division last season and could return behind forward Anthony Townes and guard Jeff Wu. An early game includes No. 6 Moreau Catholic and No. 4 El Cerrito.

6. Moreau Catholic (Hayward) 27-7
Section: North Coast
Outlook: The NorCal Division IV champions return the entire starting lineup, including guard Damari Milstead and forward Oscar Frayer. Games early include No. 5 Modesto Christian and No. 2 Mitty and the MaxPreps Holiday Classic.

7. Sacramento 23-6
Section: Sac-Joaquin
Outlook: The Dragons are talented and young, led by two Pac-12 recruits in guard Christian Terrell and center Solomon Young, both juniors with a lot of skill and toughness. Sacramento hosts the St. Hope Elite Classic and will play No. 1 O'Dowd in January.

8. De La Salle (Concord) 21-9
Section: North Coast
Outlook: No one coaches and teaches defense in the country quite like the ever-passionate Frank Allocco, whose teams suffocate foes by moving their feet, cutting off the lane and denying the baseline. It works. Nikhil Peters and Jordan Ratinho lead the way for another NorCal title run.

9. St. Mary's (Stockton) 27-3
Section: Sac-Joaquin
Outlook: Despite the graduation of star Gabe Vincent, the Rams expect to return to the playoffs behind forward Lance Coleman II and guards Jacob Aruta, Alex Smith and Devin Williams. An early win includes No. 10 Jesuit.

10. Jesuit (Carmichael) 29-4
Section: Sac-Joaquin
Outlook: Rolling to a Sac-Joaquin Section D-I title, the Marauders were upset in the D-I NorCal playoffs. The returning leader is Isaiah Bailey, who can score in bunches, and he's flanked by forward Malik Duffy and guard Ethan Pangelinan. The Delta League includes No. 17 Sheldon, No. 19 Franklin and No. 24 Pleasant Grove.

11. Drake (San Anselmo) 26-7
Section: North Coast
Outlook: The defending NorCal Division III champions return the bulk of the lineup, including forward Jesse Hunt and guard Malik Huff. Early games include No. 4 El Cerrito.

12. Monte Vista (Danville) 32-1
Section: North Coast
Outlook: The defending Division I state champions graduated all five senior starters but coach Nick Jones expects to compete again with guard Stefan Mitu and forward Wilson LaShells. An early game is No. 3 Folsom.

13. San Ramon Valley (Danville) 24-6
Section: North Coast
Outlook: New coach Brian Botteen takes over for John Raynor and will lean on guard Keith Smith and center Gregg Polosky.

14. Woodcreek (Roseville) 18-9
Section: Sac-Joaquin
Outlook: Guard Noah Blackwell is as tough a handle as in all of NorCal, and he has a 6-9 freshman big to work with in Jordan Brown. The Sierra Foothill League includes No. 3 Folsom.

15. Archbishop Riordan (San Francisco) 19-12
Section: Central Coast
Outlook: Having reached the last two NorCal regional finals, Riordan seeks a breakthrough with center Karim Ndiaye and guard Eddie Stansberry. An early game is No. 1 O'Dowd.

16. Sacred Heart Cathedral (San Francisco) 19-12
Section: Central Coast
Outlook: Despite a No. 1 seed, the Irish lost to Drake in the NorCal Division III playoffs. Guard David Parsons and wings Ramzi Carter Jr. and Alfred Hollins are the key. An early game is against No. 7 Sacramento.

17. Sheldon (Sacramento) 8-18
Section: Sac-Joaquin
Outlook: After four-peating as Sac-Joaquin Section Division I champions with a NorCal D-I title, the Huskies were hammered last season with sanctions and denied transfers amid charges that parents were luring players from other programs. Guards Devin Greene and Isaiah Brooks lead a talented and motivated group. The Delta League includes rivals Jesuit, Franklin and Pleasant Grove.

18. Cosumnes Oaks (Elk Grove) 17-18
Section: Sac-Joaquin
Outlook: The Wolfpack lost just three times on the court, but games were forfeited due to an ineligible player. Cosumnes Oaks reached the NorCal D-II finals, losing to Folsom. Eric Toles, Jr. and Jaaron Stallworth lead the charge.

19. Franklin (Elk Grove) 20-9
Section: Sac-Joaquin
Outlook: Guard Christian Allen has versatile teammates to work with in Phillip Fayne II and Austin Payne. An early challenge is No. 21 Newark Memorial at Cal.

20. Capital Christian (Sacramento) 28-4
Section: Sac-Joaquin
Outlook: The Cougars were top-ranked by The Sacramento Bee all of last season, advancing to the NorCal Open Division finals against O'Dowd. Two starters are still in football and others graduated, though there is talent and speed.

21. Newark Memorial 24-8
Section: North Coast
Outlook: Few teams are as fundamentally sound and physical as the Cougars with coach Craig Ashmore, but the challenge is steep as all five starters graduate. St. Joseph (Alameda) transfer Marcus Harris and guard Mazae Boyd make for a strong lineup.

22. Salesian College Preparatory (Richmond) 24-15
Section: North Coast
Outlook: A powerhouse this decade with speed and versatility, the Pride expect another NorCal playoff return with guards Nakota Shepard-Creer and Brandon McGhee. The Tri-County Athletic Rock Division includes El Cerrito and St. Joseph (Alameda).

23. Berkeley 22-5
Section: North Coast
Outlook: The Yellowjackets have been a factor since the 1960s, and they make up for a lack of size with speed and effort. Early tests include Cosumnes Oaks and El Cerrito.

24. Pleasant Grove (Elk Grove) 13-14
Section: Sac-Joaquin
Outlook: Washington-bound post Marquese Chriss is the lone holdover from the Eagles' 2013 Division I state title team, and he's a load inside. The Delta League includes Franklin and Jesuit.

25. St. Joseph Notre Dame (Alameda) (30-5)
Section: North Coast
Outlook: Ageless wonder coach Don Lippi led the Pilots to a CIF State championship last season and eyes more milestones amid a strong schedule.

The Sacramento Bee preseason notes and rankings

The Sacramento Bee on the death of a famed NorCal coach

The Sacramento Bee Preps TV Show with news and notes on basketball

Joe Davidson has covered high school sports for The Sacramento Bee since 1988. He co-hosts with Mike Finnerty the weekly Bee Preps Show that airs on ComcastSportsNet California and can be found on sacbee.com. Follow him on Twitter: @SacBee_JoeD and through facebook.com/sacbeepreps.