There are changes galore in this week’s CHSAA boys basketball rankings because of the wild and wacky Class AA, where the only certainty is uncertainty.
We have a new No. 1 as Rice takes over the top spot, despite losing at home to Bishop Loughlin, while former No. 1 Christ the King falls to No. 3 after back-to-back losses. St. Raymond has won two straight games, but a loss at Rice keeps the Ravens from the top spot.
Class A is much more predictable as No. 4 Mount St. Michael remains the lone undefeated team left in the CHSAA.
How do the rest of this week’s rankings pan out? Find out below.
1. Rice (10-6) (Last week: 2)
A week after their biggest win of the year against rival St. Raymond, the Raiders, playing without Emmanuel Andujar and Richard Council, fell at home to Bishop Loughlin Friday night. The Lions dominated from the outset, but Rice bounced back Sunday to defeat a Xaverian team that had a big win against previous-No. 1 Christ the King last week.
Next: Boys & Girls, SNY Invitational @ LIU (Jan. 28, 6 p.m.)
2. St. Raymond (10-7) (3)
The Ravens have back-to-back league wins, which, in the zany Class AA league, is a legitimate winning streak. On Tuesday night, Jerome Jackson was the hero, sinking the winning free throws in an overtime victory at Holy Cross. Sunday afternoon, it was fellow senior Franklyn Garcia with the big performance against Bishop Loughlin.
Next: @ No. 3 Christ the King (Jan. 28, 7:30 p.m.)
3. Christ the King (8-5) (1)
There’s a lesson to be learned from back-to-back losses, including a five-point home loss to Xaverian. It’s that no team in the Class AA wins on talent alone. It also takes hard work and consistency, which the Royals have been allergic to this season. One thing is certain, St. Francis Prep is going to come to Middle Village with some intensity. Can the hosts match it?
Next: No. 9 St. Francis Prep (Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m.)
4. Mount St. Michael (17-0) (4)
The Mountaineers learned a valuable lesson in a 60-37 blowout win against Iona Prep Friday night. It’s that Mount can win without a big performance from star Peter Aguilar. The senior swingman was held to a career-low seven points because of early foul trouble, but Mount’s other guards, specifically Malik Gill, Clarence White and Anthony Maestre, stepped up.
Next: Regis (Jan. 25, 4:30 p.m.)
5. Archbishop Molloy (11-5) (6)
The Stanners are as hot as any team in the league – yes, they’re also riding a two-game winning streak – after a thrilling double-overtime win against rival St. Francis Prep in front of a packed house at Jack Curran Gymnasium Friday night. Chris Dorgler willed his team back into the game with 17 fourth-quarter points. Chris Garcia and Mark Parisi won it in overtime with big shots from the line and beyond the arc after Dorgler fouled out.
Next: No. 6 Xaverian (Jan. 25, 4:15 p.m.)
6. Xaverian (8-5) (9)
For the second time in three years, Xaverian went to Middle Village and defeated Christ the King, this time doing it Tuesday night. The Clippers then remained on the road to beat Holy Cross on Friday. The Clippers, though, couldn’t make it three in a row, losing by five at home to top-ranked Rice on Sunday afternoon.
Next: @ No. 5 Archbishop Molloy (Jan. 25, 4:15 p.m.)
7. Cardinal Hayes (11-4) (7)
After a disappointing loss at rival Mount on Jan. 11, Cardinal Hayes has won three straight games by an average of 25.3 points per game. The Cardinals roughed up Fordham Prep, Xavier and LaSalle, but can Joe Lods squad defeat an elite Class A program? They’ll get their shot against both Archbishop Stepinac and Mount, but first up is stingy St. Edmund Prep.
Next: St. Edmund Prep (Jan. 29, 1 p.m.)
8. Bishop Loughlin (6-8) (8)
In front of a big crowd at Gauchos Gym Friday night, Davonte Dunham outplayed Cincinnati-bound Jermaine Sanders – in front of Bearcats coach Mick Cronin, no less – in a big win against Rice. He also had a solid outing Sunday against St. Raymond, but couldn’t lead the young Lions to a victory. Joel Angus has also put a few solid performances together.
Next: No. 10 Holy Cross (Jan. 25, 6 p.m.)
9. St. Francis Prep (12-6) (10)
You want to try and figure this league out? St. Francis Prep beat Bishop Loughlin in overtime on Tuesday and then the Lions upset Rice on Friday. The Terriers then turned around and squandered a double-digit lead in a double-overtime loss at Archbishop Molloy. How will that loss affect Tim Leary’s squad? That answer comes Tuesday night at Christ the King.
Next: @ No. 3 Christ the King (Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m.)
10. Holy Cross (10-7) (5)
It’s not time to panic, but Holy Cross has lost two straight games and three of the last four. The last two defeats, by a combined four points, have come at home – an overtime loss to St. Raymond and a two-point loss to Xaverian. Perhaps a return to the road is the perfect remedy for the Knights’ woes.
Next: @ No. 8 Bishop Loughlin (Jan. 25, 6 p.m.)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: All Hallows (6-8), Archbishop Stepinac (12-5), Fordham Prep (12-2) and St. Peter’s (15-5)
