A mid-November-through-December grind in which many teams completed at least half of their season schedules turns to January league play, accompanied by the popular, so-named “classics” that bring together top teams for weekend doubleheaders until the playoffs.
Five teams at the top of the Union-Tribune poll appeared to have separated themselves from the pack, with Carlsbad and Montgomery running almost neck and neck for positions 1 and 2.
Carlsbad (14-2) defeated Faith Family of Dallas, 78-69, in the National Division championship of the 33rd annual Torrey Pines Holiday Classic. St. Augustine (13-3) defeated San Jose Arch Bishop Mitty, 57-55, for third place and Montgomery (13-2) dropped a 67-53 decision to San Juan JSerra in the fifth-place contest.
Faith Family (10-9) is ranked 56th in Texas by Max-Preps, throwing some shade on the Lancers’ championship, but the Eagles, two-time defending state 4-A champions from the Dallas suburb of Oak Cliff, knocked off St. Augustine, 75-55, in the semifinals and defeated 15-1 JSerra, Max Preps‘ California state No. 1, 60-42, in the opening round.
Torrey Pines (12-4) lost in the National consolation finals, 56-50, to Rancho Santa Margarita.  La Jolla Country Day won the Governor’s Division third-place game, 61-58, over Barack Obama’s alma-mater, the Honolulu Punahou Buff ‘n Blue, 61-58.
John Maffei’s ongoing The San Diego Union-Tribune poll is being picked up as our Week 1.
| # | TEAM | RECORD | POINTS | PREVIOUS | MAX-PREPS | CAL-HI SPORTS |
| 1 | Carlsbad | 14-2 (9) | 161 | 1 | 8 | |
| 2 | Montgomery | 13-2 (8) | 156 | 2 | 12 | |
| 3 | St. Augustine | 13-3 | 142 | 3 | 17 | |
| 4 | Torrey Pines | 12-4 | 118 | 4 | 42 | |
| 5 | La Jolla Country Day | 12-4 | 115 | 6 | 44 | |
| 6 | Santa Fe Christian | 9-5 | 60 | 8 | 98 | |
| 7 | Mission Bay | 10-6 | 56 | 5 | 149 | |
| 8 | Cathedral | 11-5 | 34 | 7 | 118 | |
| 9 | La Costa Canyon | 11-3 | 31 | NR | 82 | |
| 10 | San Marcos | 13-4 | 27 | 9 | 219 |
Others receiving votes
Mission Hills (11-6, 19 points), Olympian (12-0, 15). Rancho Buena Vista (10-5, 15). Hoover (11-5, 5).
First-place votes in parenthesis.
Points on 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
Cal-Hi Sports’ and Max Preps’ represent state rankings. NR—Not ranked.
Records as of Monday, Jan. 1.
VOTING PANEL
- John Maffei, San Diego Union-Tribune.
- Aaron Burgin, Fulltime Hoops
- Steve Brand, Eric Williams, Freelance writers.
- John Kentera, Freelance Contributor.
- Rick Smith, partletonsports.com.
- Adam Paul, eastcountysports.com.
- Braden Suprenant 97.3 FM The Fan.
- Bodie DeSilva, scoreboardlive.com.
- Steve (Biff) Dolan, Mountain Country 107.9 FM.
- Joe Evangelist, San Diego Coaching Legends Committee.
- Christian Pedersen, San Diego Sports Association.
- Todd Cassen, Ron Marquez, CIF San Diego Section.
- Rex Johnson, CIF Advisory Committee.
- Tom Helmantoler, Southern Conference Advisor.
