Top 5 SoCal high school teams to watch out for in the 2024-25 season, ft. Bryce James' Sierra Canyon

The 2024-25 Southern California high school basketball season is underway after all the offseason preparations are complete.

It's time to take a closer look at some of the top teams most likely to make a significant impact this year. Of course, it's impossible to give absolute predictions because there's always room for upsets, surprises and underdogs doing the impossible in sports. However, there are a few programs that stand out for their stacked rosters, reputation and performances over the past few years.

Here are the top five SoCal teams you should keep an eye on this season.

#5, St. John Bosco

St. John Bosco enters the season riding the high of last year's success when it claimed its third state championship with a commanding 78-62 win over San Ramon Valley. It ended last season 28-7, concluding with an entertaining CIF championship final, where the terrific trio of Brandon McCoy, Jack Turner and Elzie Harrington stepped up when it mattered most, delivering 50 points combined.

As they embark on another run, McCoy and Harrington are back, ready to lead the charge once again.

McCoy, a five-star point guard who's ranked second in the ESPN Class of 2026, is known for his exceptional court vision and scoring prowess. With Turner gone, he, alongside 6-foot-8 power forward Christian Collins and Harrington, the versatile guard who earned All-league, All-CIF and all-state honors last season will be even more pivotal in maintaining coach Matt Dunn's winning tradition.

The Braves have wasted no time proving their readiness for the new season, kicking off with back-to-back wins at the Kevin Brown Memorial Tournament of Champions in Illinois. A standout performance saw them defeat St. Francis Episcopal 72-62, with Collins recording 23 points and 13 rebounds, while Harrington added 20 points. These early victories are a clear statement as they gear up for what promises to be another successful campaign.

#4, Prolific Prep

After finishing 2023-24 with a 33-6 record and a No. 4 ranking in the final national top 10, Prolific Prep also enters this season with a reputation to uphold and a mission to surpass last year's success. The team, despite losing some key players via transfer, remains a powerhouse in California and beyond, as it has gotten busy reloading its roster with an elite mix of talent.

One of those standout talents is 6-foot-6, five-star shooting guard Darryn Peterson, the No. 3 prospect in the Class of 2025. The Kansas signee is a scoring machine who combines elite ball-handling with lethal shooting from deep, making him a nightmare for defenders.

Peterson, alongside 6-10 four-star power forward Niko Bundalo, who's the No. 5-ranked power forward in the country, and 6-6 four-star small forward Winters Grady, whose size and skill set bring a tough inside presence, will be key in making a big impact for the Crew this season.

Adding even more depth to the Crew's stacked lineup are rising talents like Seven Spurlock and top 10 sophomores Obinna Ekezie and Gabe Nesmith. With these incredible talents under the leadership of Ryan Bernardi, who has a history of transforming programs and developing college-ready talent, the team is set to make waves again.

They are ranked as the top offense in California by Massey Ratings and also sit at No. 8 nationally, according to ESPN. With these rankings, it's safe to say they're not just aiming to dominate the state; they're gearing up to face the nation's best and prove they belong among the elite. With four preseason wins already under their belt, they've started strong and are showing no signs of slowing down.

#3, Mater Dei

If you follow high school football, you are likely familiar with Mater Dei, as it has one of the top-rated football programs around. However, it is also known to run one of the best high school basketball programs in the country, currently ranked No. 13 nationally.

Led by coach Gary McKnight, Mater Dei ended last season with 29 wins, and heading into this season, it'll be looking to do even better. Even though it's faced some significant changes, including the departure of 6-7 junior Brannon Martinsen, one of Southern California's top players, and 6-7 forward Brandon Benjamin, who transferred back to Sierra Canyon for his senior year, it's still one of the favorites and is expected to do well this season.

The team has added more firepower to bolster the roster, with 6-4 sharpshooter Luke Barnett, who made a name for himself knocking down 113 3-pointers and averaging 15 points per game last season. In addition to Barnett, the Monarchs also bring back guard Owen Berna and 6-7 forward Blake Davidson, both of whom will be key contributors to the team's success.

With these returning players and the strong leadership of McKnight, Mater Dei is still a formidable force well-positioned to make a deep run this season. The Monarchs' basketball legacy is built on a solid foundation of success, and it's looking to continue as a dominant force in high school basketball, aiming for another championship this season.

#2, Harvard Westlake

Harvard Westlake is another dominant high school basketball force that you want to keep an eye out for this season. The team has won back-to-back CIF Open Division state championships and has built an impressive legacy with a 91-10 record over the past three seasons. Its 33-3 record last season included not only a state title but also victories in the CIF Southern Section Open Division and the Mission League.

The Wolverines are led by elite players such as Nikolas Khamenia, a 6-8 Duke commit, and 6-8 junior sharpshooter Joe Sterling, under the guidance of David Rebibo. Khamenia's leadership and skill on both ends of the court are a big reason why Harvard Westlake boasts the top defensive rating in California, alongside an offense ranked seventh.

Other rising talents, including 6-9 forward Bryce Williams, 6-0 point guard Tre McNeely and 6-2 guard Cole Holden, will also be instrumental in keeping Harvard Westlake competitive as it aims for another standout season.

The Wolverines have had a flawless start to this season, remaining undefeated with blowout wins over teams like Millikan. Their preseason No. 5 national ranking also further reinforces their status as one of the country's premier high school basketball programs, especially going into this season.

#1, Sierra Canyon

When it comes to high school basketball in California, Sierra Canyon is a name that always commands attention. Year after year, the Trailblazers set the standard, and this season looks like it's going to be no different.

Their chances look promising, thanks to a roster packed with incredible talent and depth, including 6-6 four-star power forward Chris Nwuli, 6-5 senior shooting guard Bryce Cofield and 6-1 Gavin Hightower, an All-CIF point guard who recently transferred from Windward High School.

There's also Bryce James, the 6-4 shooting guard whose name already carries weight. He's the son of NBA legend LeBron James and the younger brother of Bronny James.

What makes this Sierra Canyon squad especially dangerous is its balance. It's put together a roster that is excellent on both sides of the ball. In fact, according to the Massey Ratings, Sierra Canyon is the only team in California to hold a preseason top five ranking for both offense and defense.

As this season unfolds, all eyes will be on Andre Chevalierto's boys to see if they can continue their tradition of excellence in a bid to capture a championship.