Marina Ranked First in Prep Poll

Marina High School, which has opened the season with six straight victories, is the top-ranked team in the first Orange County Sportswriters’ Assn. prep basketball poll.

The Vikings earned four first-place votes to edge Santa Ana, 56-55, in total points for the top spot. Santa Ana (5-0) earned two first-place votes.

Marina was one of three Sunset League teams represented in the poll, joining Fountain Valley (fifth) and Westminster (seventh).

Mater Dei finished third in the poll after losing two straight games in the Beverly Hills tournament. It marked the first time the Monarchs haven’t been ranked No. 1 in the poll in Coach Gary McKnight’s six seasons.

There are only four undefeated teams--Marina, Santa Ana, Fountain Valley and Western after two weeks of play.

The writers’ poll:

Pos. School (League) Record 1. Marina (Sunset) 6-0 2. Santa Ana (Century) 5-0 3. Mater Dei (Angelus) 6-2 4. Sunny Hills (Freeway) 6-1 5. Fountain Valley (Sunset) 4-0 6. El Toro (South Coast) 3-1 7. (Tie) Westminster (Sunset) 5-1 Capo Valley (South Coast) 3-1 9. Saddleback (Sea View) 4-1 10. Foothill (Century) 3-1

Others Receiving Votes: Western (5-0), Tustin (5-2), La Quinta (5-2), Savanna (4-1) and Servite (3-2).