The CHSAA swept all five games at the New York Post CHSAA vs. PSAL Girls Basketball Invitational at Christ the King Sunday. The host Royals, St. Peter’s, St. Michael Academy, Mary Louis and Bishop Ford all collected victories.
St. Mike’s, CK and St. Peter’s continued winning streaks. It is nine consecutive victories for Apache Paschall’s crew, the Royals have won six straight and the Eagles three in arrow. The Falcons, who took a tough loss to Christ the King Friday, will jump one spot over Mary Louis to No. 4 after routing John F. Kennedy. The Hilltoppers fended off Midwood.
These rankings could go through major changes soon. It starts with No.1 St. Mike’s visiting Bishop Ford Monday in a battle of teacher versus student as Paschall and Mike Toro square off. The Falcons then have their first game against Mary Louis Wednesday. On Monday, No. 9 Kearney gets another shot at No. 7 Archbishop Molloy, which is at a crossroads right now.
Here are this week’s rankings:
1. St. Michael Academy (13-1) (Last Week: 1)
The Eagles were not at their sharpest in a 62-40 win over Francis Lewis at the New York Post CHSAA vs. PSAL Girls Basketball Invitational Sunday. Jennifer O’Neill and Taylor Ford came up big in the fourth quarter, but St. Mike’s couldn’t create its usual turnovers and were slacking on the boards. It gets a chance to refocus against familiar faces on Bishop Ford Monday.
Next: @ No. 4 Bishop Ford (Jan.18, 3 p.m.)
2. Christ the King (10-3) (2)
While CK feels it hasn’t quieted the doubters, these Royals are for real. Bria Smith and Co. spent the week easily handling Bishop Ford in the anticipated rematch Friday and PSAL finalist South Shore at the New York Post CHSAA vs. PSAL Girls Basketball Invitational Sunday. Unusually fast starts have been the norm and maintaining that level of play the problem.
Next: @ Bishop Loughlin (Jan. 19, 6 p.m.)
3. St. Peter’s (12-1) (3)
Sophomore Jamie O’Hare has been nothing short of sensational for the Eagles in the early season. She has played with an intelligence, skill and intensity well beyond her years. O’Hare helped lead St. Peter’s to routs of Archbishop Molloy and then Manhattan Center at the New York Post CHSAA vs. PSAL Girls Basketball Invitational Sunday.
Next: Bishop Loughlin (Jan. 23, 2:30 p.m.)
4. Bishop Ford (13-2) (5)
What a difference two days made for Shayra Brown. The Boston College-bound guard played her worst game of the season in a lopsided loss to Christ the King on Friday, but bounced back to score 23 points and hit four 3-pointers in an easy win over John F. Kennedy at the New York Post CHSAA vs. PSAL Girls Basketball Invitational Sunday. St. Mike’s is up next.
Next: No. 1 St. Michael Academy (Jan. 18, 3 p.m.)
5. Mary Louis (9-3) (4)
The Hilltoppers’ pressure defense wreaked havoc over the last week. It helped them get within five in the fourth in a loss to Christ the King, easily handle SFP, it was a difference maker in a win over Molloy and sparked a big third quarter as TMLA knocked off Midwood at the New York Post CHSAA vs. PSAL Girls Basketball Invitational Sunday. A big matchup with Ford a waits on Wednesday.
Next: @ No. 4 Bishop Ford (Jan. 20, 6:45 p.m.)
6. St. Francis Prep (9-4) (6)
The Terriers looked out of sorts in a lopsided loss to Mary Louis early this week. Monday they travel to Long Island for a matchup with SFP transfer Madeline Jankowski and St. Mary’s, who will test Prep’s perimeter defense. Coach JoAnn Wagner’s crew then has a shot for another league win Wednesday when Bishop Kearney visits Fresh Meadows.
Next: @ St. Mary’s (LI) (Jan. 18, 11:00 a.m.)
7. Archbishop Molloy (6-7) (7)
The path of the Stanners’ season could easily be determined this week. Coach Tom Catalanotto put his team on notice after an embarrassing loss to St. Peter’s Saturday. The second-year man wants things done his way and for his team to get on the same page. Games against Kearney, Christ the King and Mount Vernon at the JFK Challenge are on tap.
Next: No. 9 Bishop Kearney (Jan. 18, 6 p.m.)
8. Moore Catholic (9-4) (8)
It was a quiet week for the Mavericks. They had a lopsided win over St. Joseph Sea and had to cancel their game against St. Anthony (N.J.) because of a scheduling mix up at the school. Taylor Baggs and Co. should get a tough fight from CHSAA Staten Island rival Notre Dame Academy Tuesday night at home.
Next: Notre Dame Academy (Jan. 19, 7 p.m.)
9. Bishop Kearney (8-5) (9)
Kearney was again a good fourth quarter way from it first CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens win. It had Bishop Ford on the ropes, but turnovers were again its undoing. Sam Retas looks fully healed from her knee injury, but the Tigers did not look impressive in a two-point win over Lincoln Saturday. Kearney gets another crack at No. 7 Archbishop Molloy Monday.
Next: @ No. 7 Archbishop Molloy (Jan. 18, 6 p.m.)
10. Cardinal Spellman (6-4) (10)
The Pilots appear to have shaken off the post Christmas break rust, having now won three straight games. Spellman is playing its best basketball of the season and so are its stars Trio Melton and Tia Scott. The duo helped them post an impressive win over Notre Dame Academy last week. They will need to beat St. Joseph Hill Monday if they want to stay in the rankings.
Next: @ St. Joseph Hill (Jan. 18, 1:45 p.m.)
New: Nome
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: St. Joseph Hill (9-5)
