A look at The Bee's top 20 high school boys basketball teams.

TOP 20 TEAMS

1. JESUIT (4-0)

The 2010-11 Sac-Joaquin Section Division I runners-up have depth, talent and experience, led by top returners Parker Uu, Bryce Pressley, Akachi Okugo and Brian Glodowski. The Marauders beat Texas power Strake Jesuit of Houston in Saturday's Father Barry Christmas Classic title game.

2. SHELDON (3-1)

The two-time defending D-I champs have a gifted junior class that includes D'Erryl Williams, Dakarai Allen, Armani Hampton and Ryan Manning, bolstered by senior Kyi Thomas. The Huskies have early wins over McClymonds of Oakland and two-time CIF NorCal Regional champion Bishop O'Dowd of Oakland.

3. SACRAMENTO (0-1)

The Dragons are candidates for a fourth consecutive D-III section title with seniors Darius Graham (UC Davis commit) and Erik Kinney (Cal State Bakersfield) combining with NorCalPreps.com's top 40 juniors Aaron Cameron, James Hadnot and Joe Barnes.

4. FRANKLIN (3-0)

With seniors Theo Johnson and Kelton Newman, and junior standout Darin Johnson, the Wildcats are a good bet to win their fifth league title under coach Jesse Formaker.

5. BURBANK (2-0)

Coach Lindsey Ferrell's Titans won the Metro Conference title (over rival Sacramento) and finished 23-5-1 last season. Senior three-point shooter William Roots and 6-foot-6 sophomore Malik Pope are Titans to watch.

6. PLEASANT GROVE (1-0)

Coach John DePonte says his D-I Eagles are the area's best team. With his star players – Arik Armstead, Cody Demps, Malik Thames, Matthew Hayes, Colfax Nordquist and Caleb Jackson – they are deep and talented.

7. ANTELOPE (3-1)

Inspired by last season's D-II section runner-up finish, the Titans should be in the postseason mix again with Caleb King, Kei'Shaun Sinclair, Gabe Bealer, Isaiah Ellis and 2010-011 all-Capital Athletic League guard Jarvis Watkins.

8. BELLA VISTA (3-1)

Led by returning all-Capital Valley Conference players K.J. Logue (MVP) and Ahmad Smith, and a deep lineup that includes Tanner Wright, Cristian Salhani and Tyler Berkness, the D-II Broncos are favorites for a league title repeat.

9. CENTER (4-0)

Senior guard Chris Smith is a Bee Player-of-the-Year candidate who is surrounded by a supporting cast that includes 6-5 center Kenneth Parker and 6-foot point guard Myles Hunter. The Cougars beat rival Foothill for the Jack Scott Tournament title.

10. FOOTHILL (3-1)

Expect the Mustangs to make the postseason for the 21st consecutive season with returning all-Pioneer Valley League seniors Michael Bryson (signed by UC Santa Barbara) and Kelly Bender returning for coach Drew Hibbs.

11. OAK RIDGE (3-1)

After a five-year hiatus, Steve Scott returns to the El Dorado Hills school to coach a young, talented team centerpieced by his son, senior point guard Bryce Scott. Post player Scott Sanchez and guard Matt Howard are senior players to watch.

12. DEL ORO (2-0)

Another father-son duo – coach Geoff Broyles and all-Sierra Foothill League guard Jordan Broyles – lead the Golden Eagles' pursuit of a league title. Others to watch include 6-6 post Alan Kidwell, point guard Rex Hime and Austin Soldano.

13. GRANITE BAY (2-2)

Despite losing eight seniors to graduation – Nathan Brillington is the only returning starter from last year's 27-5 team – coach Jason Sitterud's defending SFL co-champions remain a title threat.

14. EL DORADO (2-1)

With leading scorer Joe Visman back and key returners Nick Jemmott, Ben Thomas and Justin Morrison from last year's 27-3 team, the Cougars are favorites to repeat as Sierra Valley Conference champions.

15. KENNEDY (2-1)

Four-year varsity standout Derrick West leads coach Robert Fong's Cougars. Seniors Blake Williams, Keith Duronslet and Nakia Taheuchi are among the other key players.

16. COSUMNES OAKS (2-1)

The SVC runners-up should contend again behind returning all-SVC shooting star senior Manny Trillo, senior multi-talent Khalil Foster and sophomore Alex Van Dyke.

17. WHITNEY (5-1)

Junior guard Nolan Eger, an all-Capital Athletic League pick as a sophomore, returns to lead a Wildcats team that had only two seniors during last season's 13-14 campaign.

18. UNION MINE (5-0)

Returning all-SVC players seniors Thomas Collonea and Graham Bennett will help lead coach Mike Verbitsky's improved D-backs.

19. CAPITAL CHRISTIAN (2-1)

Veteran coach Terry Battenberg, after stops at Jesuit, Ponderosa and Union Mine, has nine talented underclassmen and 6-6 senior scorer Matt Donlan.

20. VALLEY (3-1)

With senior starters Arron Redd, Robert Perry, Tercail Hadley and Gurjit Singh returning, coach Mat Bradley thinks the Vikings can be a factor in the competitive Metro Conference.

– Bill Paterson

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.