HS: Winter SIMA FAB 50 rankings, Dec. 16

by Sheldon Shealer

December 16, 2014

It didn't take long for Cathedral Catholic (San Diego, Calif.) to reinforce its position as the SIMA FAB 50 No. 1 team.

The Dons won the Butch Lee Memorial Tournament last week, beating two SIMA FAB 50 Top 20 teams en route to a 5-0 start.

Overall, Cathedral Catholic is showing its depth as 10 players have factored in the team's first 17 goals.

There'll be no rest for Cathedral Catholic as the team takes on three SIMA FAB 50-ranked teams this week: Rosary, Aliso Nigueland Villa Park.

The following are some of the highlights from last week's moves:

BOYS

The staggered start of the winter seasons result in a predictable situation every December: Texas teams climb in the rankings without playing.

Each year, as the Florida and California powers sort themselves out, Texas squads quietly inch higher and higher. This week, 11 teams from Texas appear in the Top 25. where the balance comes into play, once those Texas teams start playing (and losing), the Florida and California programs with early losses will start to cycle higher in the rankings.

Despite having 11 0-0 Texas teams in the Top 25, the 14 squads that have played are a combined 102-0-1.

This week, the Lotto Sport Western Showcase at San Clemente (Calif.) should have a major influence on future rankings. This eight-team event brings together traditionally strong teams from the CIF Souther, San Diego and Central sections, in addition to the defending state champion from Arizona. Look for more on this event later this week on TopDrawerSoccer.com.

GIRLS

Chino Hills (Calif.) makes a major leap in this week's rankings, moving from No. 30 to No. 7 after a perfect showing through the Aliso Cup semifinals. Chino Hills shut out Woodbridge (Calif.) and former Top 25-ranked Sunny Hills (Calif.) in group play before posting two more knock-out round shutouts to reach Monday's final against host and SIMA FAB 50 No. 6 Aliso Niguel. The winner of Monday's Aliso Cup should have a strong claim to the Orange County No. 1 ranking.

See the entire winter high school rankings:

SIMA FAB 50 RANKINGS: BOYS (Dec. 16) | GIRLS (Dec. 16)

REGION RANKINGS: BOYS (Dec. 15) | GIRLS (Dec. 15)

STATE RANKINGS: BOYS (Dec. 15) | GIRLS (Dec. 15)

Related Topics: SIMA FAB 50 / Event, HS State/Region Rankings