Everyone has New Year’s resolutions and so do we. Ours was to see some turnover in our NYC boys basketball rankings. There are changes, though not enough – but, hey, it takes some time.
Our top five of Christ the King, Lincoln, Boys & Girls, Rice and St. Raymond remains intact, but Cardozo has moved up a spot to sixth, followed by Holy Cross and Xaverian, while Jefferson falls three spots to ninth and Wings Academy is 10th. With several big games on the docket over the next week, more change is on the way.
1. Christ the King (4-2) (Last week: 1)
The Royals received a late Christmas present with the return of point guard and leader Corey Edwards after a month-long disciplinary suspension. The George Mason-bound senior was overanxious and winded early, but was critical down the stretch for Christ the King in an overtime win against Neumann-Goretti (Pa). The Royals will be looking for revenge Tuesday when they head to Jack Curran Gymnasium Tuesday, the site of a stunning loss last season.
Next: @ Archbishop Molloy (Jan. 4, 4 p.m.)
2. Lincoln (8-0) (2)
Double-digit wins over New Jersey schools Paramus Catholic and St. Benedict’s Prep made sure Lincoln started 2011 perfect. The best guard in the PSAL up to this point is a toss-up between Shaquille Stokes and Mike Taylor, though the uncommitted Stokes has the slight edge since the Railsplitters won at Boys & Girls.
Next: George Westinghouse (Jan. 4, 5 p.m.)
3. Boys & Girls (10-2) (3)
Even without starting point guard Antione Slaugther and sixth man Anthony Hemingway – out for academic issues, the Kangaroos finished second in the Beach Ball Classic and knocked off Philadelphia power Imhotep Charter (Pa.) in the fourth annual Villa Holiday Classic. When Slaughter and Hemingway return, watch out – The High will be even better, a scary thought. It deserves a move up, but with Lincoln undefeated and Christ the King picking up a big win, Boys & Girls remains third.
Next: @ No. 9 Thomas Jefferson (Jan. 4, 5:30 p.m.)
4. Rice (7-2) (4)
The Raiders are known for its stifling defense and that’s something Penn Wood (Pa.) knows all too well today. The Philadelphia powerhouse couldn’t handle Rice’s pressure in a 69-54 win at the fourth annual Villa Holiday Classic at the storied Palestra Sunday. The Raiders are still hungry for respect, which is bad news for everyone else on their schedule.
Next: @ St. Peter’s (Jan. 5, 4:30 p.m.)
5. St. Raymond (7-5) (5)
The Ravens finished third at the Gonzaga D.C. Classic and followed that with a seventh-place finish at the Les Schwab Invitational last week. A critical league clash against Rice is on the horizon, but first St. Raymond’s meets New Rochelle Jan. 10 in a difficult tune-up.
Next: @ New Rochelle (Jan. 10, 6:30 p.m.)
6. Cardozo (7-0) (7)
Sometimes the best seasons are the ones that come out of nowhere, when expectations are lowered. It’s extremely early, but the Judges are still undefeated, one of two teams in our top 10 – Lincoln is the other – that can say that. The last week was an impressive one for coach Ron Naclerio’s kids. It included a 30-point win over Bishop Loughlin and 12-point victory over Collegiate, the three-time New York State Federation Class B champions. We’ll know even more about the Judges a week from now after they travel to Bayside and meet Wadleigh in the Steve Simms PSAL Mid-Winter Classic at St. Francis College.
Next: Flushing (Jan. 4, 5:15 p.m.)
7. Xaverian (6-1) (9)
The Clippers missed a trip to the Cactus Jam (Phoenix, Ariz.) because of last week’s paralyzing storm, but Brian Bernardi didn’t miss much in a non-league win against South Shore Sunday at the New Heights New Years Classic, burying five 3-pointers. Xaverian will look to build off that win Friday night against rival Bishop Loughlin in both team’s league opener.
Next: Bishop Loughlin (Jan. 7, 7:30 p.m.)
8. Holy Cross (8-3) (10)
It came later than he hoped, but Holy Cross coach Paul Gilvary finally has a full squad and it’s just in time for the start of the league season. Juniors Will Davis and Mairega Clarke are back from injury and they join a team led by motivated seniors Evan Conti and Marcus Hopper and feature hardnosed junior Anthony Libroia. Next up is archrival St. Francis Prep in the first of two Battle of the Boulevard showdowns.
Next: St. Francis Prep (Jan. 7, 7:30 p.m.)
9. Thomas Jefferson (7-5) (6)
The Orange Wave can go one of two directions starting Tuesday. It can work together, snap this slump and go on a run it is more than capable of, or fall apart, let this slump, which is now three losses in four games, continue. It isn’t necessarily about beating Boys & Girls, but playing better basketball – unselfish, team-oriented basketball. Jefferson is too good for this to continue, but it is up to the program’s eight seniors to turn it around.
Next: No. 3 Boys & Girls (Jan. 4, 5:30 p.m.)
10. Wings Academy (8-2) (8)
Wings didn’t enjoy the holidays very much. First, The Bronx school was never able to make it to Hampton, Va. for the Ronald Curry Invitational because of the blizzard that dumped over a foot of snow on New York City. Second, the Wings did schedule a game against East Orange (N.J.) in the Planet Athlete National Holiday Invitational, but fell, 70-64.
Next: Gompers @ Mott Hall (Jan. 4, 5:30 p.m.)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Archbishop Molloy (8-2), Bayside (10-3), Cardinal Hayes (7-3) Gompers (7-3), Mount St. Michael (10-0) and Wadleigh (10-3)
