Christ the King is back where it started.
The Royals move back into the No. 2 spot in the rankings following three straight wins where they dominated for long stretches. Coach Bob Mackey’s club thrashed St. Francis Prep and ran over Mary Louis in the first half last week. Its defensive prowess has been the key. CK will need that to continue that when it welcomes Bishop Ford, which beat the Royals on Dec. 7, to Middle Village on Friday. The Falcons have now won five straight.
St. Peter’s drops to No. 3 after handling rival Moore Catholic, but suffered its first loss of the year to Archbishop Wood (Pa.).
No other team distinguish itself last week. Molloy lost to Long Island Lutheran. Kearney lost tight ones to TMLA and Molloy. St. Joseph Hill missed a chance to knock off Moore. Will anyone step forward from the pack this week?
Here are this week’s rankings:
1. St. Michael Academy (11-1) (Last Week: 1)
Things may have been a bit too close for comfort in Westchester on Saturday. The Eagles held just a slim lead on Mount Vernon heading into the fourth. They eventually secured a 68-52 win behind 40 points from Jennifer O’Neill. St. Mike’s has a busy week ahead, including a game against unbeaten Francis Lewis at the New York Post CHSAA vs. PSAL Girls Basketball Invitational on Sunday at Christ the King.
Next: Francis Lewis (Jan.17, 5 p.m. New York Post CHSAA vs. PSAL Girls Basketball Invitational @ Christ the King)
2. Christ the King (7-3) (3)
The Royals are playing angry and are tired of hearing about their loss to Bishop Ford, something they can redeem at home on Jan. 15. They have not lost since returning to New York, winning three straight with suffocating defense. Ariel Edwards took seven charges in a win over TMLA Saturday. CK faces a feisty South Shore team at the New York Post CHSAA vs. PSAL Girls Basketball Invitational Sunday.
Next: @ No. 9 Bishop Kearney (Jan. 11, 6 p.m.)
3. St. Peter’s (9-1) (2)
St. Peter’s finally stumbled with a non-league loss to hot-shooting Archbishop Wood (Pa.) on Sunday. The Eagles and forward Victoria Jones, though, looked in top form in a lopsided win over rival Moore Catholic Saturday. Jones had 18 points and 11 rebounds. After league matchups with Notre Dame Academy and St. John Villa, St. Peter’s plays Manhattan Center at the New York Post CHSAA vs. PSAL Girls Basketball Invitational Sunday at Christ the King.
Next: @ Notre Dame Academy (Jan. 12, 7 p.m.)
4. Mary Louis (6-3) (4)
What should we make of Mary Louis’ 65-57 loss to Christ the King? TMLA trailed by 21-points at half, but rallied to cut the lead to five in the fourth quarter. There were missed layups and free throws and also a furious trapping defense. It means we may not have seen the best of the Hilltoppers yet. They play Molloy on Thursday and Midwood at the New York Post CHSAA vs. PSAL Girls Basketball Invitationalvon Sunday at Christ the King.
Next: No. 5 St. Francis Prep (Jan. 12, 5:45 p.m.)
5. Bishop Ford (10-1) (5)
Ford packed up and travelled to Rhode Island this weekend. There, it saw the return of guard Shanice Vaughan. She scored 21 points in an impressive win over South Kingstown. Friday provided the most anticipated rematch of the season. The Falcons travel to Middle Village to tangle with Christ the King. They play JFK at the New York Post CHSAA vs. PSAL Girls Basketball Invitational back at CK.
Next: @ Bishop Loughlin (Jan. 11, 6 p.m.)
6.
St. Francis Prep (8-3) (6)
JoAnn Wagner learned plenty about her team this week. The Terriers still need to be tougher against elite teams after being handled by Christ the King. They are resilient though. SFP won its next two contests to end a three-game winning streak. That included an all important victory at Bishop Kearney that saw Nicole Lenard find her shooting stroke.
Next: @ No. 4 Mary Louis (Jan. 12, 5:30 p.m.)
7. Archbishop Molloy (6-5) (7)
It’s been hard to put a finger on the Stanners. They toughed out a win over Bishop Kearney on the road and fell flat in a non-league loss to Long Island Lutheran. Molloy’s response was a tight, but quality victory against Archbishop Ryan (Pa.) at the NY/PA Challenge Sunday. Which Stanners team will show up this week in games against Mary Louis and St. Peter’s? Too early to tell.
Next: @ No. 4 Mary Louis (Jan. 14, 6 p.m.)
8. Moore Catholic (8-4) (8)
This certainly wasn’t the Mavericks’ finest week. They had to rally from a 14-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat St. Joseph Hill. They then suffered their worst loss to St. Peter’s in two years and watched North Babylon and UConn-bound guard Bria Hartley drop in 35 points to beat them at the NY/NJ Challenge. Add in the fact that starter Alex Salaycik hurt her other ankle in the loss to the Eagles and coach Rich Postiglione is probably glad this week is over.
Next: St. Anthony’s (N.J.) (Jan. 12, 5 p.m.)
9. Bishop Kearney (7-4) (9)
The Tigers showed they still have some ground to make up when it comes to playing with the elite teams in CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens, but the gap is not that far. Kearney had fourth-quarter leads against Molloy and Mary Louis at home, but could not close out the win. Star Sam Retas appears physically fine after twisting her knee against Molloy, but has yet to show her usual aggressiveness.
Next: No. 2 Christ the King (Jan. 11, 6 p.m.)
10. Cardinal Spellman (5-3) (10)
Spellman certainly had to shake off plenty of rust in a loss to Maria Regina. The Pilots had not played since Dec. 17 because of winter weather and the holiday break. They rebounded with a quality, 51-40 win over Ursuline Sunday. Star Trio Melton dropped in 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.
Next: Good Counsel (Jan. 13, 4:15 p.m.)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: St. Joseph Hill (7-4) and Notre Dame Academy (5-4)
