The VST power rankings returns as teams across the city get ready to turn their focus to league play. The Patriots hold steady at the top of the list, an East Valley squad makes the biggest leap, and a team off to a good start out of the Valley league makes their first appearance on the list. Here are the ten hottest squads in the Valley heading into a jam-packed week of intriguing matchups:

1- Birmingham Patriots (9-5) Last Week: #1

The Patriots continue to show they are the team to beat in the Valley with a strong tournament showing out in Las Vegas and in the Oak Park Showcase over the holiday break. The Pats will have the chance to assert their position as the West Valley frontrunners with matchups against Granada Hills and Chatsworth this week.

2- Granada Hills Highlanders (9-8) Last Week: #3

The Highlanders have been a bit inconsistent this season, but this group is talented. They will have a chance to prove just that with a matchup against league rival Birmingham this week.

3- Verdugo Hills Dons (9-4) Last Week: #2

The Dons are the class of the East Valley, and they have the firepower to take them to another league title this season. They have a busy slate this week with four games in five days highlighted by league matchups against Arleta and Poly.

4- Kennedy Cougars (10-6) Last Week: #7

The Cougars have been fun to watch through the first half of their season. They have the look of a team that might be able to win the Valley Mission and beyond this season.

5- Arleta Mustangs (10-6) Last Week: #4

The Mustangs are a solid team that has a chance to make noise in the second half of the season. They’ll get a chance to prove it with a big matchup with Verdugo Hills on the horizon.

6- Chavez Eagles (9-4) Last Week: #10

I did not peg the Eagles as a team to win the East Valley coming into the seson, but the Eagles can keep up with the top teams in the league. They’ll have to find another level if they want to take down the Dons or the Mustangs.

7- Sherman Oaks Knights (9-2) Last Week: #5

The Knights have been one of the pleasant surprises this season. They can cement themselves as the Valley League frontrunners with a win over Northridge Academy on Thursday affternoon.

8- El Camino Real Royals (6-10) Last Week: #6

The Royals have played a brutal schedule to begin the season but their best basketball might still be in front of them. They’ll try to get the momentum going in the positive direction with games against Taft and Cleveland this week.

9- San Fernando Tigers (8-3) Last Week: #8

The Tigers have been quietly getting better and better through the first half. So much so that they could very well steal the Valley Mission away from Kennedy. They’ll get the chance to move into first place in the league when they see the Cougars on Friday.

10- Northridge Academy Pumas (9-3) Last Week: N/A

The Pumas grabbed the last spot on the list this week. They had their 5-game winning streak snapped by Leuzinger last weekend but they can regain their momentum by taken down Sherman Oaks this week.