The MLK weekend rush has passed with little incident. After a quiet week, we doubt we’ll be able to say the same by this time next Sunday.
Next weekend is the granddaddy of them all, the largest girls basketball event in New York City: the sixth annual PSAL/John F. Kennedy Challenge. There will be two gyms, two days and more than 25 games, almost all of which will be competitive. College coaches will be rolling in by the bushel full. Out of our top 10, there’s just one team – Christ the King – that will not be participating.
Here’s how the rankings look before they could get blown up this week:
1. Nazareth (15-2) (Last week: 1)
After two straight MLK weekend routs, Nazareth has swept through both Mary Louis and Bishop Ford in CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens Division I. Brianna Sidney is shooting the lights out and the Lady Kingsmen are playing their best ball of the season. Naz is the headliner both nights of this weekend’s Kennedy Challenge – Saturday against Archbishop Wood and Sunday versus University (N.J.).
Next: Archbishop Wood (Pa.), PSAL/John F. Kennedy Challenge (Jan. 29, 6:30 p.m.)
2. Christ the King (10-4) (2)
Bria Smith has accomplished many things in her four-year Christ the King career, but a triple-double was not one of them until last week. The Virginia-bound guard poured in 20 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out 10 assists in a win over Loughlin, helping her team shake the affects of losing to Neptune. Instead of playing at Kennedy, CK travels to Archbishop Carroll (Pa.) on Sunday.
Next: @ St. Francis Prep (Jan 25, 5;30 p.m.)
3. Murry Bergtraum (11-3) (3)
The Lady Blazers have beaten John F. Kennedy and St. Peter’s, both solid victories for sure. But Bergtraum would love to have a win over a national-level program Saturday when it meets H.D. Woodson (D.C.). It has failed in three previous tries: St. John’s College (D.C.), Hillhouse (Conn.) and Mater Dei (Calif.).
Next: H.D. Woodson (D.C.), PSAL/John F. Kennedy Challenge (Jan. 29, 3:30 p.m. @ Kennedy)
4. Mary Louis (11-3) (4)
Getting routed by Nazareth on MLK weekend might have scared underachieving Mary Louis straight. The Hilltoppers ran roughshod over Bishop Ford last week and looked crisp offensively again in a win over St. Francis Prep on Sunday. Their game against South Shore on Sunday at Kennedy will be a very interesting clash – and TMLA has owned the Vikings over the past few years.
Next: No. 6 South Shore, PSAL/John F. Kennedy Challenge (Jan. 30, 4:30 p.m. @ Kennedy)
5. St. Peter’s (9-4) (5)
If there was was any doubt — even after 14 straight division crowns — who the team to beat on Staten Island was, St. Peter’s left none Saturday. The Eagles were powered by 22 big points from senior guard Megan Burns in a 67-60 win over rival Moore Catholic. St. Peter’s cut up the Mavs’ vaunted defense and will look to pick up a win against John F. Kennedy (N.J.) Sunday.
Next: St. Joseph by the Sea (Jan. 29, 7 p.m.)
6. South Shore (13-3) (6)
Coach Anwar Gladden has executed his strategy perfectly – South Shore has no hype right now, no buzz. The Vikings, though, are playing good basketball without distractions and have a chance to make a serious mark on the city stage in games this weekend at Kennedy versus St. Anthony’s, the best team on Long Island, and Mary Louis.
Next: St. Anthony’s (L.I.), PSAL/John F. Kennedy Challenge (Jan. 29, 6:30 p.m. @ InTech Academy)
7. Moore Catholic (12-2) (7)
With all the success the Mavericks have had the past three seasons, St. Peter’s remains a road block. Taylor Baggs and Co. again had the Eagles on the brink, but could not close the deal in the fourth. Moore has no time to wallow in what might have been with games against Francis Lewis and Manasquan (N.J.) slated at Kennedy this weeks. Two wins would mean big things for the program.
Next: Francis Lewis, PSAL/John F. Kennedy Challenge (Jan 29, 5 p.m. @ Kennedy)
8. Archbishop Molloy (8-6) (8)
Molloy is becaming a team that can pride itself on its defense and rebounding. Much of that has to do with the improved play of forwards Carolyn Gallagher, Elizabeth (Gurt) Lynch and Dallas Pralle. Gallagher and Pralle combined for 31 points in a win over Bishop Louglin last week. The Stanners can make a push for a top four spot in CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens with a win over Ford Thursday.
Next: No. 7 Bishop Ford (Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m.)
9. Bishop Ford (8-9) (9)
The Falcons are still waiting to get their second half jump started. They missed chances to do just that last week, suffering lopsided losses to Nazareth and Mary Louis. Coach Mike Toro’s challenging schedule continues. Ford plays Archbishop Molloy Thursday and nationally ranked Riverdale Baptist (Md.) Sunday at John F. Kennedy.
Next: @ No. 6 Archbishop Molloy (Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m.)
10. John F. Kennedy (14-6) (10)
The Knights are nothing like they were last year. They can shoot and they can score now, led by junior 3-point threat Joya McFarland. But Kennedy is not yet playing defense like coach O’Neil Glenn demands. McFarland said that if they can combine last year’s defense and this year’s offense they could win the whole thing at the Garden. She could be right.
Next: Long Island Lutheran, PSAL/John F. Kennedy Challenge (Jan. 29, 2 p.m. @ Kennedy)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Bishop Loughlin (8-7), Francis Lewis (11-5), McKee/S.I. Tech (14-4), Manhattan Center (7-11) and Cardinal Spellman (9-4)


