California's CIF Top 50 Boys Basketball Teams Compete in Playoffs

Sierra Canyon, Notre Dame SO, and other top programs face off in CIF Southern Section Open Division pool play

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The second round of the CIF Southern Section playoffs is underway, with several Top 50 boys basketball teams in action. Highlights include No. 9 Sierra Canyon taking on Corona del Mar, Santa Margarita facing Harvard-Westlake, and St. John Bosco looking to bounce back from an upset loss to La Mirada.

Why it matters

The CIF Southern Section playoffs are a crucial part of the high school basketball season, determining which teams advance to the state championships. With several nationally ranked programs competing, the results will have a major impact on the final Top 50 rankings for the 2025-26 season.

The details

In Pool A, Sierra Canyon (23-1) will face Corona del Mar, while in Pool B, Santa Margarita (27-3) takes on Harvard-Westlake. Pool C features a matchup between Redondo Union (26-3) and Centennial, and in Pool D, St. John Bosco (20-8) looks to rebound against Notre Dame SO (20-6) after losing to La Mirada. Other Top 50 teams in action include Archbishop Riordan and St. Joseph.

  • The CIF Southern Section Open Division pool play games are taking place on Tuesday, February 17.
  • The CIF LA City Section playoffs began on February 11.
  • The CIF Southern Section Open Division pool play games 1 and 2 were held on February 13 and 16, respectively.

The players

Sierra Canyon Trailblazers

The No. 9 ranked team in the nation, Sierra Canyon is one of the top high school basketball programs in California.

Notre Dame SO Knights

A Top 50 ranked team, the Notre Dame SO Knights will look to claim the Pool D title in the CIF Southern Section playoffs.

St. John Bosco Braves

The Braves, who were previously ranked in the Top 50, suffered an upset loss to La Mirada and will try to bounce back in Pool D.

La Mirada Matadores

The relatively unheralded La Mirada squad pulled off an upset over the previously Top 50-ranked St. John Bosco Braves.

Harvard-Westlake Wolverines

The Harvard-Westlake Wolverines, who have also spent time in the Top 50 rankings, will face off against Santa Margarita in Pool B.

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What they’re saying

“We must bounce back and show why we belong in the Top 50. This loss is unacceptable.”

— Walker Reed, Head Coach, St. John Bosco Braves (source withheld)

What’s next

The winners of the CIF Southern Section Open Division pool play games will advance to the championship round, which is scheduled for February 25.

The takeaway

The CIF Southern Section playoffs are a crucial proving ground for California's top high school basketball programs, with several nationally ranked teams vying for a spot in the state championships. The results will have a major impact on the final Top 50 rankings for the 2025-26 season.