The Brooklyn/Queens final is set and the Archdiocesan state seeding is taking shape.
Mary Louis got by Bishop Ford, 63-62, in one of the year’s best and most emotional games. After the win, the Hilltoppers applauded head coach Joe Lewinger, who coached the game despite the recent news of his 4-year-old daughter having a second relapse of cancer. They will again meet Christ the King for the Division I crown as the Royals fended off Molloy.
By week’s end the CHSAA state playoffs will be set. Will CK repeat in B/Q? Can St. Peter’s again knock off St. Mike’s? Will Moore take back-to-back Archdiocesan Class A titles? The answers will come soon enough.
Here are this weeks rankings:
1. Christ the King (20-5) (Last week: 1)
Bria Smith put on a star quality performance Sunday. The junior star scored 23 points and her steal and layup to end the third quarter propelled CK past Archbishop Molloy and into the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens Division I final. Nia Oden was stellar with 18 points, Rayne Connell played superb defense and Jackie Michel had a dagger 3. TMLA stands in the way of a repeat.
Next: Mary Louis, CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens Division I final (March 2, 6 p.m. @ St. John’s Prep)
2. St. Peter’s (22-1) (2)
The wait will be over for the Eagles, who had their game with Kellenberg snowed out. They will take the court against St. Michael Academy Thursday to decide the Archdiocesan Class AA champion. St. Peter’s stunned St. Mike’s at St. John Villa last season amid rumors the defending state Federation AA champion didn’t play to win. Star forward Catherine Lewis should likely be back from the wrist injury.
Next: St. Michael Academy, CHSAA Class AA Archdiocesan final (March 4, 7 p.m. @ St. John Villa)
3. St. Michael Academy (16-5) (3)
The road back to Glens Falls starts this week for the defending state Federation Class AA champions. Coach Apache Paschall’s club returns to Staten Island to play St. Peter’s to try to reclaim its Archdiocesan title. St. Mike’s fell to St. Peter’s last season, with rumors swirling after the game that the Eagles lost the game to avoid a possible CHSAA Class AA state final matchup with Christ the King in Middle Village.
Next: St. Peter’s, CHSAA Class AA Archdiocesan final (Archdiocesan AA final March 4, 7 p.m. @ St. John Villa)
4. Mary Louis (18-6) (5)
Christy Calderon played hero in one of the season’s best and most emotional games. The senior guard sunk two free throws with 14.6 seconds left to give the Hilltoppers’ a 63-62 win over Bishop Ford in the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens semifinals Sunday. Mary Louis won despite star Karin Robinson fouling out early in the fourth quarter.
Next: Christ the King, CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens Division I final (B/Q finals March. 2, 6 p.m. @ St. John Prep)
5. Bishop Ford (20-5) (4)
The Falcons’ goal of a CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens title came to a screeching halt in Briarwood. Coach Mike Toro’s club scratched and clawed its way through the back and forth game with Mary Louis in the semifinals. A 3-pointer by Cynthia Montano, in for the fouled out Vanessa D’Ambrosi, off a scramble at the buzzer fell short as Ford lost 63-62 in heartbreaking fashion.
Next: Kellenberg (CHSAA AA state quarterfinals March 12, 7 p.m. @ Archbishop Molloy)
6. Archbishop Molloy (11-15) (6)
If the Stanners proved anything Sunday it’s you have to consider them one of the favorites to make a trip to Glens Falls as the CHSAA Class A representative. Molloy gave Christ the King all it could handle for three quarters, trailing by just three. Kyra Aloizos is playing well, Amani Tatum is maturing and Elizabeth (Gurt) Lynch is being more aggressive at the right time.
Next: TBA, CHSAA Class A state first round (March 5, 7 p.m. @ St. Francis Prep)
7. Moore Catholic (19-5) (7)
The Mavericks receive a balanced effort in the CHSAA Archdiocesan Class A quarterfinals. Four of their starters scored in double figures during a lopsided win over St. John Villa Sunday. Nicole Arnone had had a rocky season, but the junior scored 16 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and collected five steals. She was a big reason why Moore claimed the diocesan title last year.
Next: St. Joseph Hill, CHSAA Class A Archdiocesan semifinals (Feb. 29, 6 p.m.)
8. St. Francis Prep (11-11) (8)
The Terriers have hit the offense skids of late. Like her team, junior Jenna Halaby is struggling to find her early season form. St. Francis can pull all the memories of a sluggish finish to the regular season behind them with a run in the CHSAA Class A state tournament. A first-round home game should help.
Next: TBA, CHSAA Class A state first round (March 5, 5 p.m. @ St. Francis Prep)
9. Bishop Kearney (12-11) (9)
A year ago, Bishop Ford, after a season of tight losses, put it together and made a run all the way to the CHSAA Class A state title game. The Tigers are hoping they have a similar run in them. Junior Sam Retas will be one of the most explosive players in the tournament.
Next: TBA, CHSAA Class A state first round (March 5, 6 p.m. @ St. John Villa)
10. Cardinal Spellman (19-4) (10)
If the Pilots want another crack at Moore Catholic and CHSAA Archdiocesan Class A title they will have to beat Notre Dame Academy for the third time this season. Troi Melton and Tia Scott were again stellar in a quarterfinal win over Our Lady of Victory. Spellman will need another balanced attack to advance.
Next: Notre Dame Academy, CHSAA Class A Archdiocesan semifinals (March 1, 6 p.m.)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Notre Dame Academy (11-13) and St. Joseph Hill (14-10)
