Vikings start season as #1 in Norcal

1. West Valley (26-5): The Vikings start off as our number one team in Northern California as the season starts. West Valley is the team to beat in Northern California and the Vikings are loaded. West Valley has been to the elite eight two straight seasons and the Saratoga based school is on the right track to get there again. The Vikings are our favorites to win a loaded Coast South Conference and will start their season against Solano on Wednesday.

2. Yuba (26-3): The 49ers are another team that win games year in and year out and this year will not be any different. Yuba is loaded this season and is a team that we project making a deep post season run and winning the Bay Valley Conference in the 23-24 season. Yuba has plenty of pieces that are back from a year ago, and the 49ers will open up their season against San Joaquin Delta on November 7th.

3. San Francisco (29-4): The Rams continue to be one of the elite teams in the state and all you have to do is check their track record. San Francisco comes into the season with a lot of question marks with so many newcomers, but it is hard to bet against this program as all they do is pile up wins and make deep post season runs. The Rams could be challenged this season and may take some lumps early but by the time conference hits, the Rams will be a team that teams do not want to face when it comes to the post season. San Francisco opens up their season against Marin on Friday.

4. Sequioas (27-4): The Giants come into the season as our number four ranked team in Northern California. Sequoias lost a lot of pieces from a year ago, but the Giants are big up front and still are a household name that teams will need to show that they can beat before we put them ahead of them. Sequoias may not be as strong as they were a year ago but coach Jensen and company still have a lot of talent and are expected to make a deep post season run if they can get passed a tough non conference and conference schedule of an improved Central Valley Conference. The Giants open up their season November 10th against 3rd ranked Allan Hancock.

5. Chabot (21-9): The Gladiators round off our top five as the fifth ranked team in Northern California. Chabot lost some key players last season but still return one of the best back courts in the state. The Gladiators shared a piece of the Coast North championship last season, and should compete for the title again for the 23-24 season. Chabot is talented and will be a standout team this season as the Gladiators will open up their season against Modesto on Thursday at home.

6. Cabrillo (13-14): The Seahawks open up at number six in our pre season rankings. Cabrillo returns a lot of pieces from last season and the Seahawks have size and athleticism and a lot of experience on their team. Cabrillo is playing in one of the best conferences in the state and will be tested by San Jose, West Valley and other quality teams but for now, the Seahawks are ranked at sixth in our preseason rankings as they open up against Mendocino on Friday.

7. Santa Rosa (13-15): The Bearcubs come in at number seven in our pre season rankings as another team that has plenty of experience coming back. Santa Rosa was under .500 a year ago but with the pieces they have coming back they should be back on top of the Big 8 for the upcoming season. The Bearcubs open up the season tomorrow against Marin for the 2023-2024 season.

8. San Jose (26-5): The Jags come in at number eight after making the Elite Eight a year ago and bringing home the Coast South Conference championship. San Jose lost a lot of pieces from a year ago but still have the talent to play with anyone in the state. The Jags will look to have another standout season as they have plenty of pieces to make a run deep into the post season.This is the third team from the Coast South ranked inside of our top 10. San Jose will open up their season against Palo Verde on Thursday at home.

9. Columbia (22-8): The Claim Jumpers are at number nine as coach Hoyt and company start the season inside of our top 10. Columbia continues to be a threat every year to win the Central Valley Conference and this year is not any different. Columbia like many other teams lost some pieces but the Claim Jumpers will be a team that teams will struggle when they play. They are solid at the defensive end and always have a toughness to their group. Columbia will open up their season on Thursday against Siskiyous in their 23-24 opener.

10. Fresno (20-8): Will this be the year the Rams make a jump over Columbia and Sequoias? Time will tell but the depth and athleticism will be on full display this season. The Rams will speed you up and turn you over but can they score consistently in the half court will be a question? With that being said, Fresno won 20 games a year ago and will this be the season the Rams make some noise in the post season. Fresno will open up the 23-24 season against Alameda on Thursday.

11. Las Positas (19-12): The Hawks will come into the season as another team ranked in the Coast North Conference. Las Positas lost a lot from a year ago but the Hawks have some pieces that will make them competitve for the upcoming season.

12. Sacramento (17-11): The Panthers will be an interesting team for the upcoming season as they return the most pieces out of a lot of schools that we have ranked above them. The Panthers have three guys that are back that averaged in double figures and a some pieces that will make them a very competitive team this season. This is a team that should be taken serious and they will make a push to make it to the post season. Sacramento will open their season Thursday against Redwoods.

13. West Hills Lemoore (13-16): The Golden Eagles come into the year as the 4th team from the Central Valley Conference that is ranked. West Hills Lemoore is another team that will be competitive and coach Jovan Joe is an up and coming coach that has his team moving in the right direction. The Golden Eagles have some pieces to beat anyone who comes across their path which is why they are deserving of their ranking. In some reality this maybe too low of a ranking for them but we are about to find out quickly how good they are as Lemoore will open up their 23-24 campaign against a very good Cuesta team on Thursday.

14. Contra Costa (19-11): The Comets come into the rankings at fourteen but are a very young team. Contra Costa will come into the season losing some solid pieces that have moved on to the four year level but the talent keeps coming in and as usual, the Comets will be competitive and challenging for the Bay Valley Conference title. Contra Costa will open up their 23-24 season against American River on Thursday.

15. Monterey (11-16): The Lobos grab our last spot in our preseason rankings in Northern California at number 15 coming into the new season. Monterey is another Coast South team that could make some noise with Parker Hunt coming back from his redshirt season. He is a difference maker, but so is the back court that has been put together by the Lobos staff and this will be an improved team that should be expected to win more than 11 games. Monterey will face Lassen to open up their schedule on Thursday to begin their 2023-2024 season.