Another week has passed and again no changes, but that could be very different when this time comes around next.
No team lost to a squad ranked below it. Bishop Loughlin and St. Peter’s had the week’s most noteworthy victories. The Lions came from behind to defeat St. Francis Prep and earn their first league win in two seasons. The Eagles again proved they are the team to beat on Staten Island by knocking off rival Moore Catholic in front of a packed house Saturday night. A 15th consecutive division title is one game closer.
Here are this week’s rankings:
1. Nazareth (15-2) (Last week: 1)
It was an easy week for Nazareth. Brianna Sidney continued her midseason resurgence with 16 points in a lopsided 54-40 win over rival Bishop Ford at the Rose Classic Super Jam Monday. The Lady Kingsmen seem to have worked through a recent rough patch and are again seeing the scoring balance and the emergence of a different star each night. It comes just in time for this weekend’s Kennedy Challenge.
Next: Archbishop Wood (Pa.), Kennedy Challenge (Jan. 29, 6:30 p.m. @ Kennedy)
2. Christ the King (10-4) (2)
The Royals certainly showed the effects of a disappointing loss to Neptune (N.J) in a tight win over Bishop Kearney. They got back to their old selves in the second half of a win against Bishop Loughlin. Virginia-bound guard Bria Smith recorded the first triple-double of her CK career with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Freshman Sierra Calhoun also posted the first 20-point night of her varsity career.
Next: @ No. 10 St. Francis Prep (Jan 25, 5:30 p.m.)
3. Mary Louis (11-3) (3)
We may be seeing a transformation in Mary Louis. A second blowout defeat to Nazareth has it preaching patience, a message that seemed to sink in during comfortable wins against Bishop Ford and St. Francis Prep last week. The Hilltoppers may have also found their third scoring option. Sophomore guard Jasmine Nwajei posted games of 22 and 12 points in the two victories.
Next: South Shore, Kennedy Challenge (Jan. 30, 4:30 p.m. @ Kennedy)
4. St. Peter’s (10-4) (4)
Megan Burns waited patiently for her chance to have a major impact for the Eagles. The senior guard took full advantage of that opportunity, scoring 13 of her career-high 22 points in a 67-60 win over rival Moore Catholic Saturday night. It allowed the Eagles to strike the first blow in the battle for Staten Island supremacy
Next: St. Joseph by the Sea (Jan. 29, 7 p.m.)
5. Moore Catholic (12-2) (5)
Moore couldn’t have entered its anticipated matchup with St. Peter’s any hotter. But the winners of nine straight saw that streak broken after not allowing more than 40 points in eight consecutive contests. Christina Rubin scored 18 points, but the Mavericks’ signature defense couldn’t get enough stops and spent too much time trading baskets. They will look to regroup at the Kennedy Challenge.
Next: Francis Lewis, Kennedy Challenge (Jan 29, 5 p.m. @ InTech Academy)
6. Archbishop Molloy (8-6) (6)
The Stanners took care of business this week as they look to finish in the top four of CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens Division I. Forward Carolyn Gallagher continued her stellar sophomore season. She poured in 19 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in a win over Bishop Loughlin and tallied 15 points in a victory against St. Francis Prep. A second win against Bishop Ford this week will be a big step forward.
Next: No. 7 Bishop Ford (Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m.)
7. Bishop Ford (8-9) (7)
The second half surge the Falcons were hoping for is off to a rocky start. Coach Mike Toro’s club finally has all its players back healthy, but that did not translate into CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens wins. Ford dropped lopsided decisions last week to Nazareth and Mary Louis before beating John F. Kennedy (N.J.) on Saturday. Avenging a defeat to Molloy Thursday would be a step in the right direction
Next: @ No. 6 Archbishop Molloy (Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m.)
8. Bishop Loughlin (8-7) (8)
The Lions showed just how far they have come this week. After trailing St. Francis Prep for nearly the entire game they rallied behind a huge 3-pointer from Chelsea Gibson to earn their first CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens win in two seasons. Loughlin then trailed No. 2 Christ the King by just five at halftime of an eventual lopsided loss.
Next: @ No. 3 Mary Louis (Feb 2, 6 p.m.)
9. Cardinal Spellman (9-5) (9)
The best news for the Pilots came off the court this week. Senior star Troi Melton found a home for next season. She verbally committed to Boston University after leaving after the first quarter of a Spellman win over Blessed Sacrament to catch a flight for her visit to the America East school. Melton and her club take a week off for exams before resuming league play.
Next: @ Maria Regina (Feb. 2, 4:15 p.m.)
10. St. Francis Prep (5-9) (10)
The Terriers hold a place in these rankings based more on what other teams failed to do than because of what they did. St. Francis Prep dropped three league games last week. It couldn’t fend off a hungry Bishop Loughlin team or push its way past Archbishop Molloy. SFP hung tough with Mary Louis for three quarters, but ultimately fell. The road doesn’t get easier as No. 2 Christ the King visits Fresh Meadows Tuesday.
Next: No. 2 Christ the King (Jan. 25, 5:30 p.m.)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Bishop Kearney (7-9), St. John Villa (9-7), Notre Dame Academy (6-8), and St. Joseph Hill (8-6).
