Prep girls’ basketball rankings: McClatchy wins Metro opener; Antelope surges

Two weeks ago, the McClatchy High School girls’ basketball team was in a position no team wanted.

The Lions were forced to postpone and reschedule games due to COVID-19 issues within their program. It took two weeks for McClatchy to play a game in 2022.

McClatchy returned to the court Friday with a statement win. The Lions beat Metro League rival and previous No. 2 Laguna Creek 87-63. The Lions jumped from No. 7 to fourth in the rankings.

Star senior Saray White had 22 and rising freshman Nina Cain had 20. McClatchy got contributions from underclassmen in Kaela Stancil-Williams, who had 15 and Norrett Lewis, who had 12. Sophomore Milah Masters had eight points and eight rebounds.

“Yes it was exciting being able to not only play; but to play a real good opponent in Laguna Creek,” McClatchy coach Jeff Ota said. “We were on a three-game losing streak for the very first time so it was important to get back on the winning track. Laguna has a couple of outstanding players so we knew we were in for a tough game.”

McClatchy during the spring only played two games because of COVID-19 issues. With roster depth and youth, the Lions will challenge Laguna Creek for the Metro League title.

Oak Ridge moves up to No. 2

After a strong performance against the previously third-ranked Del Oro, Oak Ridge is The Bee’s new second-ranked team.

The Trojans are 3-0 in Sierra Foothill League play, with wins over Del Oro, Granite Bay and Rocklin. Oak Ridge has two big league games this week with Whitney on Wednesday and a battle against The Bee’s top-ranked team Folsom on Friday.

All six teams in the SFL are ranked.

“Every SFL game is like a playoff game,” Oak Ridge coach Steve White said after his team’s win over Del Oro. “(The rankings) had all six teams ranked in the top 20. So essentially 25% of the area’s (best teams) are from the SFL.”

Antelope surge

Defending Division ll Sac-Joaquin Section champion Antelope has been on a tear.

After losing to St. Francis on Dec. 10 to drop to 2-3 on the season, the Titans have won seven games in a row. Antelope is currently 4-0 in the Capital Valley Conference play.

A big reason for the Titans’ success has been junior Mary Carter, who transferred from Rocklin. Carter had to sit out the first 30 days of the season and made her season debut at the end of 2021. In six games this season, she is averaging 26 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and 3.5 blocks per game.

“I think Mary is the most versatile player in the Sacramento area and maybe in all of Northern California,” Antelope coach Sean Chambers said. “She can shoot the three-ball, score around the basket, (has) great court awareness and (is) a great defensive player.”

Chambers added, “At 6-foot-3 with great ball-handling skills, she’s basically the ultimate stats-stuffer. … What I’m most impressed (with) about Mary is her relentless motor. She never stops moving, always in the next play, while playing 30 minutes per game. She is an awesome teammate. All the players love playing with her and she’s extremely coachable and always wanting to learn to get better.”

Harris scoring explosion

Leading the pack of the top scorers in the Sacramento area is Faith Christian’s Audrey Harris, who was The Bee’s Smallest School Player of the Year last year.

Harris is averaging a mouth-dropping 45.6 points per game (in seven games) this season. Harris’ season-high game in the season opener against Futures, when she scored 54. She scored 50 against Valley Christian last week.

She is also averaging 15.1 rebounds and 6.7 steals per game. Harris has had a double-double in all but one game this season and has had two triple-doubles.

The Bee’s Top 20

Records entering Monday

1. Folsom 15-0

2. Oak Ridge 14-4

3. Del Oro 15-3

4. McClatchy 7-4

5. Laguna Creek 10-2

6. Vista del Lago 11-2

7. Vanden 10-3

8. Colfax 15-2

9. Christian Brothers 13-3

10. Lincoln 16-2

11. Granite Bay 15-6

12. Antelope 9-3

13. Grant 13-4

14. Monterey Trail 10-3

15. Whitney 11-9

16. Rocklin 10-6

17. Bear River 12-0

18. Rio Linda 12-0

19. Dixon 11-3

20. Cosumnes Oaks 9-6

Bubble teams: (in alphabetical order) Del Campo (9-7), El Dorado (13-7), Franklin (7-9), Inderkum (9-10), Marysville (13-2), Pioneer (11-5), Placer (9-8), St. Francis (7-6), West Campus (2-0), Yuba City (11-4)