SIMA FAB 50: Upland takes over girls No. 1

by Sheldon Shealer

February 25, 2020

There's a new SIMA FAB 50 No. 1 girls team and a preseason favorite that makes a major leap into the Top 25, highlighting this week's movement.

Upland (Calif.) ran up a perfect record but didn't see any of the state's top programs. That changed last week, and Upland delivered with wins over Harvard-Westlake (Calif.) and Huntington Beach Edison (Calif.). The team's 26-0 mark coupled with the fact Tompkins (Texas) tied last week, allows Upland to inherit the SIMA FAB 50 No. 1 ranking.

Upland won't have long to enjoy the ranking, though, as one of the national preseason favorites is now back in the mix -- Santiago/Corona (Calif.). With nine NCAA Division I commits, Santiago was an easy preseason favorite. However, a 2-5-3 start sent this team spiraling down the rankings. Santiago has now won 14 in a row, and its latest victim was FAB 50 preseason No. 1 JSerra (Calif.), ending that program's run of section titles at three.

Upland and Santiago clash this weekend for the Southern Section Division 1 title.

Regardless of the result, both are likely to advance to the CIF Southern Regional tournament.

Now, on with the rankings ...

BIG MOVERS: BOYS: Servite (Anaheim, Calif.). While the record is overly impressive, the results sure are. Servite, playing the nation's most demanding schedule as nearly every opponent was at least regionally ranked, advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division 1 final where it will face fellow state power Loyola. Servite's run to the final allowed the team to move from No. 21 to No. 15 this week. ... GIRLS: Clovis North (Fresno, Calif). Consider this one a placeholder as Clovis North jumps from No. 27 to No. 13 this week. Clovis North, after three runner-up finishes in the past five seasons, won the CIF Central Section Division I title over rival Clovis. The win also avenged the team's only defeat. Clovis North takes its 22-1-2 record into the regional playoffs where it will get a taste of nationally ranked teams from other sections. Clovis North will have to fair well on the regional level to remain a Top 25 or even SIMA FAB 50-ranked team.

NEWCOMERS: BOYS: No. 34 Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.), No. 36 Mission Viejo (Calif.), No. 43 South Broward (Hollywood, Fla.), No. 46 Tampa Catholic (Tampa, Fla.) and No. 47 Pembroke Pines Charter (Pembroke Pines, Fla.). ... GIRLS: No. 14 Santiago/Corona (Corona, Calif.), No. 46 Mansfield Lake Ridge (Mansfield, Texas), No. 47 Highland Park (University Park, Texas), No. 48 Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), No. 49 Midlothian (Texas), No. 50 Mandeville (La.).