HS: State, regional rankings, March 4

by Sheldon Shealer

March 4, 2019

California's high school season came to a dramatic close with San Clemente (Calif.) boys and JSerra (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) girls claiming the most coveted prizes -- the SoCal Regional Division I titles.

San Clemente needed penalty kicks to upend Cathedral (Los Angeles, Calif.) in a Top 10 showdown that appeared headed for a controversial finish. After San Clemente's keeper made a game-winning save on the Cathedral's final attempt, the officials huddled to discuss if the player left the line too soon. After about a 30-second conference, the final play was upheld, giving San Clemente its second SoCal Regional crown as the team joined elite company. San Clemente in 2011 and 2018 and Loyola (Los Angeles, Calif.) in 2014 and 2016 are the only teams to win both the Southern Section Division 1 and SoCal Regional Division I crowns in the same season.

JSerra delivered on its preseason promise of staying clearly in the national title chase with a star-studded lineup with a 3-1 victory over Los Alamitos (Calif.) in the SoCal Division I final. It was a rematch of the Southern Section Division 1 final, also won by JSerra.

In NorCal, [Bellarmine College Prep ca-m] (San Jose, Calif.) boys and Monte Vista (Danville, Calif.) girls brought home the Division I titles.

The final week of California play leads to a slight shakeup in both the NorCal and SoCal region rankings. Meanwhile, in Texas, the top teams held strong as all four regional No. 1s remain in the top spot again this week.

WINTER REGION RANKINGS: BOYS (March 4) | GIRLS (March 4)

WINTER STATE RANKINGS: BOYS (March 4) | GIRLS (March 4)

SPRING RANKINGS

This is the first of the weekly spring boys and girls rankings, and the big movers include Dutch Fork (Irmo, S.C.) and Dalton (Ga.) taking over boys No. 1 state rankings, and River Bluff (Lexington, S.C.) and Myers Park (Charlotte, N.C.) girls moving into state No. 1 spots.

SPRING REGION RANKINGS: BOYS (March 4 ) | GIRLS (March 4 )

SPRING STATE RANKINGS: BOYS (March 4 ) | GIRLS (March 4 )