It was a busy Valentine’s Day in the high school hoops world, with borough bragging rights decided in the PSAL and some of the top CHSAA squads competing in the romantic New Jersey getaway known as Trenton.
So how did this weekend’s games affect The Post’s New York City boys basketball rankings? Here’s a poem to help explain:
Roses are red, violets are blue, Bishop Loughlin is one and Christ the King is two.
The PSAL is nearly as poetic. The borough championship games did hold intrigue as Wings Academy shocked John F. Kennedy and therefore made its triumphant return to this space.
1. Bishop Loughlin (19-4) (Last week: 3)
The Lions did what no other CHSAA squad did at the Primetime Shootout in Trenton, they won. Rasi Jenkins had a breakout performance, leading Loughlin over Cherokee (N.J.) Sunday. After a disappointing home loss to Christ the King, the Lions have won six straight heading into their regular-season finale Tuesday against No. 6 Holy Cross.
Next: No. 6 Holy Cross (Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m.)
2.
Christ the King (18-5) (1)
The Royals rallied from 11 points down late in the third quarter Friday night to beat Holy Cross in overtime, but couldn’t conjure up more late-game magic Sunday, losing to undefeated Half Hallows Hills West (L.I.) in the Primetime Shootout. Christ the King will have to bounce back quickly, unpredictable and dangerous St. Raymond’s is on the horizon.
Next: @ St. Raymond’s (Feb. 16, 7 p.m.)
3. Rice (17-5) (2)
Another high-profile weekend game, another surprising blowout suffered by the defending New York State Federation champions, as Rice was humbled by St. Patrick’s (N.J.) at the Primetime Shootout Saturday night. While never considered high octane, the Rice offense is practically on life support. After some huge early-season performances, Kadeem Jack has struggled of late and it seems the only consistent player on both ends right now is junior sensation Jermaine Sanders.
Next: Archbishop Molloy (Feb. 16, 4:15 p.m.)
4. Boys & Girls (23-5) (4)
It’s hard to imagine Sunday’s victory over Thomas Jefferson clinched Boys & Girls first borough crown. Under coach Ruth Lovelace, the Kangaroos have been among the city’s elite. But that Brooklyn crown may just be a sidenote when the year is finished. The High has all the pieces to win its first city title since 1979.
Next: Rucker High School Invitational (Feb. 20, TBA)
5. Cardozo (19-7) (7)
This is, without a doubt, the best Judges team since 2004, when they got to the Garden and lost to Sebastian Telfair and Lincoln in the title game. Can Cardozo get back to MSG? On paper, the Bayside powerhouse is the best team in the PSAL. But it also has a penchant for blowing large leads. That could haunt Ron Naclerio’s bunch in the upcoming city playoffs.
Next: Rucker High School Invitational (Feb. 20, TBA)
6. Holy Cross (16-7) (8)
After upsetting Rice last month at home, Holy Cross led Christ the King by 11 late in the third quarter, only to lose in overtime Friday night. Despite the loss, the Knights, which thrashed No. 9 Xaverian by 22 on Tuesday, are playing their best basketball of the season at the perfect time. Can they make it a trifecta against CHSAA powerhouses? That answer comes Tuesday in Fort Greene.
Next: @ No. 1 Bishop Loughlin (Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m.)
7. Wings Academy (20-5) (NR)
Krystian Foriest was the offensive star of The Bronx borough championship game with 26 points and 13 rebounds and James Blue did a phenomenal defensive job on John F. Kennedy star Naquan Pierce. But the play of junior point guard Deonte Houston shouldn’t go unnoticed. He had six assists and grabbed nine rebounds, running the Wings offensive brilliantly. His maturity has coincided with Wings’ late-season streak of 13 wins in 14 games.
Next: Rucker HS Invitational (Feb. 20, TBA)
8. Thomas Jefferson (19-9) (9)
The Orange Wave continues to confound. After annihilating Lincoln in the Brooklyn borough semifinals by 24 points, Jefferson started slow and lost to a good Trenton Catholic (N.J.) team in the Primetime Shootout on Saturday and fell short to Boys & Girls in the borough final Sunday. The most frustrating aspect for coach Lawrence Pollard is the play of his Division I backcourt of Dave Coley (Stony Brook) and Davontay Grace (St. John’s). The Orange Wave would’ve knocked off the Kangaroos on Valentine’s Day if either one played well.
Next:@ St. Raymond (Feb. 19, 6:30 p.m.)
9. Xaverian (11-9) (6)
The Clippers hit rock bottom Tuesday night in a 71-49 loss at Holy Cross, but showed improvement in a 72-58 loss at Bishop Loughlin Friday and then blew out All Hallows at home Sunday. Justin Exum has stepped up his game and when the Clippers move the ball crisply, as was the case against the Gaels, they are hard to beat.
Next: @ St. Francis Prep (Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m.)
10. John F. Kennedy (21-3) (5)
The splendid scoring of guards Pierce and Jeffrey Short enabled Kennedy to win Bronx AA for the third straight year and garner the top seed in the borough playoffs. But with neither in top form, the Knights struggled mightily against Wings Academy. While one off night it nothing to worry about, it also may be a bad sign with the PSAL Class AA playoffs looming. The opposing teams only get better and will certainly look to limit Pierce and Short. The unsigned seniors need help from their teammates, who have rarely needed to do much offensively this winter.
Next: Rucker High School Invitational (Feb. 20, TBA)
New: Wings Academy (20-5)
Dropped out: Lincoln (16-9)
On the bubble: All Hallows (11-10), Curtis (24-4), Forest Hills (16-9), Lincoln (16-9), Mount St. Michael (18-4), Robeson (16-9), St. Raymond’s (9-12), and Wadleigh (19-6)
