Sierra’s boys basketball team remains on track to earn the No. 1 seed in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III playoffs, but much can happen in the final week of the Valley Oak League season.

The Timberwolves (11-0 VOL, 21-3 overall) boast the highest seeding rating of 6.635 among SJS Division-III squads according the second and final release of the playoff power ratings. Casa Roble is second with a 6.461, and Weston Ranch (10-1, 16-6; 6.023) leapfrogged Modesto Christian for the third spot. Weston Ranch heads to Sierra this Friday to battle for a possible VOL title share.

Sierra also faces Manteca this week, making the crosstown trip on Wednesday. Manteca (6-5, 13-10, 4.117) fell two spots in the Division-III rankings to No. 14 following Friday’s loss to Weston Ranch, while rival East Union (5-6, 16-7; 4.120) moved one slot up to 13.

Final brackets will be released next Wednesday, Feb. 13. Sixteen teams advance to the Divisions I-IV tournaments, 12 in Division V and eight in Division VI.

In Division III girls, Manteca (10-0, 16-5; 5.312) fell from No. 6 to 7 despite maintaining its perfect league record. That’s because Placer (5.524) shot up three positions to No. 5 thanks to its more favorable league strength rating — the Pioneer Valley League was designated a 7.1 rating vs. the VOL’s 5.6.

Weston Ranch (9-1, 14-6; 5.145), which hosts Manteca tonight, stays put at No. 9. Seventeenth-ranked East Union (3-7, 7-14; 1.367) and No. 19 Sierra (3-7, 7-15; 2.265) remain on the bubble and face each other tonight at Dalben Center.

Ripon’s girls (8-1, 18-4 overall; 5.152) climbed a single rung up to No. 4 in Division IV, but tonight they visit Trans-Valley League stalwart Modesto Christian (No. 4 in Division III). Lathrop (4-7, 9-14, 2.851) doubled its VOL win total last week to ascend four places up to No. 19.

The Ripon boys contingent (4-5, 8-15; 3.073) slipped three spots down to No. 11 in Division IV after three heartbreaking losses last week. Lathrop (3-8, 7-16; 2.491) rose to 18th from 21st.

Ripon Christian’s boys and girls are likely to win out and capture Southern League championships while securing first-round byes and quarterfinal home games. The RC boys (10-0, 18-3; 4.837) are currently third in Division V, while the Lady Knights (10-1, 16-5; 4.170) are No. 4 fresh off their big win over third-seeded Turlock Christian.