THE TIMES’ RANKINGS

The Southland’s top 25 boys’ basketball teams (last week’s ranking in parenthesis):

1. Westchester (11-1, CS-Western)

Consoling thought for Comets: Mater Dei lost to Oak Hill Academy last season and went on to win the state Division I title. (No. 1 last week)

2. Fremont (13-1, CS-Coliseum)

Pathfinders locate American Division title in Torrey Pines tournament. (3)

3. Santa Margarita (14-1, SS-Serra)

Eagles among many teams glad that Carlsbad isn’t in the Southern Section. (7)

4. Fairfax (15-2, CS-Western)

Loss to Santa Margarita takes a little luster off next week’s rematch with Westchester. (2)

5. Inglewood (10-2, SS-Bay)

Fifth-place Sentinels settle for a layup at Slam Dunk to the Beach tournament in Delaware. (4)

6. Eisenhower (11-2, SS-Citrus Belt)

Eagles lose to Carlsbad before rebounding to take fifth in National Division of Torrey Pines tournament. (5)

7. Compton Centennial (11-0, SS-Ocean)

Apaches’ victory over Long Beach Poly results in steep climb in poll. (12)

8. Long Beach Poly (11-2, SS-Moore)

Bobby Jones loses battle against former Compton Dominguez teammates Darius Sanders and Saul Lankster III. (6)

9. Mater Dei (11-4, SS-Serra)

Guard Wesley Washington comes into his own as Monarchs avenge earlier loss to Corona Centennial. (9)

10. Corona Centennial (11-2, SS-Mountain View)

Huskies eager for rubber match against Mater Dei in Southern Section playoffs. (8)

11. Glendora (12-1, SS-Baseline)

Tartans sweep competition at Bellevue (Wash.) tournament. (10)

12. Muir (15-0, SS-Pacific)

Mustangs drop a notch despite winning the Brea Olinda tournament. (11)

13. Villa Park (14-1, SS-Century)

Spartans will find out Saturday against Mater Dei whether their swords are made of steel or rubber. (13)

14. Crenshaw (10-4, CS-Coliseum)

Cougars finish third at Fort Worth (Texas) tournament. (15)

15. King (12-3, SS-Sunkist)

Fifth-place finish at Las Vegas tournament not befitting. (17)

16. Loyola (11-2, SS-Mission)

Cubs’ losses came against powers Torrey Pines and Santa Margarita. (14)

17. El Segundo (12-2, SS-Ocean)

Eagles work overtime to pull out two of their four victories. (18)

18. Capistrano Valley (11-4, SS-South Coast)

Cougars’ dazzling run in American Division of Torrey Pines tournament ends with 10-point loss to Fremont. (20)

19. Verbum Dei (10-3, SS-Camino Real)

Lights! Camera! Eagles! Verbum Dei looks ready for the big-time in winning Hollywood tournament. (21)

20. Lakewood (11-1, SS-Moore)

Rankings committee won’t tolerate more losses like the one to Hueneme. (19)

21. St. John Bosco (14-2, SS-Serra)

Will the Serra League be a Brave new world? (NR)

22. Elsinore (13-2, SS-Southwestern League)

Tigers rule Riverside with wins over Poly and King. (NR)

23. Serra (14-2, SS-Del Rey)

Cavaliers avenge earlier loss to Price with 17-point spanking. (NR)

24. Thousand Oaks (11-3, SS-Marmonte)

Lancers drop two games with standouts Ben Olson and Dave Anderson out of lineup practicing for CaliFlorida Bowl III. (22)

25. Downey Calvary Chapel (11-2, SS-Academy)

Idle Grizzlies return to action Wednesday against Bishop Montgomery. (25)