Another week in New York City boys basketball, more upheaval in The Post’s top 10.
Our top two of Boys & Girls and Lincoln hold, but that’s about it. Elsewhere in the PSAL, Wings Academy moved up to No. 4 after a 3-0 week while Cardozo fell and Wadleigh replaces enigmatic Thomas Jefferson at No. 10.
The CHSAA is about as predictable as New York’s professional teams. Just when we think we have it figured out, there are more twists and turns every Tuesday and Friday. If you think you have the league figured out, please let us know.
1. Boys & Girls (17-3) (Last week: 1)
The Kangaroos don’t seem like they plan on giving up the top spot. Their first week atop the rankings, they rallied past Robeson on the road, routed Transit Tech and topped Winter Park (Fla.) and elite national prospect Austin Rivers in the Brandon Jennings Invitational on Jeffland Neverson’s buzzer beater. Boys & Girls’ loaded schedule continues this weekend with the SNY Invitational at LIU in Brooklyn. It faces Rice Friday and could meet St. Anthony (N.J.), ranked second in the nation by USA Today, on Saturday.
Next: No. 3 Rice, SNY Invitational @ LIU (Jan. 28, 6 p.m.)
2. Lincoln (17-2) (2)
Credit the Railsplitters for not only stopping their first mini-slump of the year, but doing it without power forward Kamari Murphy, arguably the best big man in the city. It started with a come-from-behind, road victory at rival Robeson on Thursday and continued with an impressive 14-point win over Menomonee Falls (Wis.) in the Brandon Jennings Invitational on Saturday.
Next: St. Rita (Ill.), Primetime Shoout (Jan. 29, 2:30 p.m.)
3. Rice (10-6) (5)
Perhaps the Raiders are the perfect example of how things are going thus far in the CHSAA. A surprising loss one day – Friday at home to Bishop Loughlin – and an impressive road win a few days later – Sunday at Xaverian. Rice will need a significantly better effort this weekend, starting with Friday night’s encounter with PSAL champion Boys & Girls. A meeting with either St. Anthony’s (N.J.), ranked No. 2 in the country, or Mount Vernon is on the horizon.
Next: No. 1 Boys & Girls, SNY Invitational @ LIU (Jan. 28, 6 p.m.)
4. Wings Academy (16-2) (4)
It’s taken until the end of January, but Amdy Fall is starting to get some well-warranted Division I interest. The long and versatile 6-foot-6 shot-blocker is one of the best big men in the city, and he’s enjoying a standout senior year, leading Wings to at least a share of the Bronx AA regular-season title.
Next: Thurgood Marshall Academy @ Mott Hall (Jan. 28, 5:30 p.m.)
5. St. Raymond (10-7) (7)
The Ravens failed in their first litmus test, losing at Rice, 75-63, on Jan. 14. Since then, Daniel Dingle, aided by seniors Jerome Jackson and Franklyn Garcia, has led St. Ray’s to back-to-back wins at Holy Cross and home against Bishop Loughlin. A second exam comes Friday night at Christ the King.
Next: @ No. 7 Christ the King (Jan. 28, 7:30 p.m.)
6. Cardozo (16-1) (3)
Ron Naclerio certainly wanted three wins this week, but two isn’t bad either. Plus, the victories he wanted the most – over rivals Campus Magnet and Forest Hills – were the ones his players got. The Judges did lose to Teaneck (N.J.) in the New Jersey Gym Ratz N.J. vs. N.Y. Showdown, but that loss may work as a reminder Cardozo still has a lot of improving to do before the citywide playoffs.
Next: All Hallows (Jan. 31, 5 p.m.)
7. Christ the King (8-5) (3)
The Royals are arguably the most talented team in New York City. But talent only takes Christ the King part of the way. The sooner Christ the King’s players realize that, the better off the team will be. Until then, the Royals are an average and very beatable team, as they showed last week in consecutive losses to Xaverian at home and South Atlanta (Ga.) in the West Virginia Primetime Shootout.
Next: St. Francis Prep (Jan. 25, 7:30 p.m.)
8. Mount St. Michael (17-0) (8)
After surviving a scare Tuesday, beating Bishop Ford, 55-52, on the road, the Mountaineers flexed their muscles Friday night in New Rochelle, thrashing Iona Prep, 60-37. Tom Fraher’s squad is the favorite to win the Class A title, but defending champion Archbishop Stepinac will have something to say about that Friday night in White Plains. First, though, is upset-minded Regis.
Next: Regis (Jan. 25, 4:30 p.m.)
9. Wadleigh (17-4) (NR)
What the Tigers lack in size they make up for in toughness. How better to explain their recent run, that includes a three-point win over Manhattan Center last week, a squad Wadleigh teams’ in the past lose to. It starts with the undersized backcourt of Basil Harley and Manhattan AA-leading scorer Trivante Bloodman and continues with Mr. double-double, Lincoln transfer, Lazaro Martinez. In his six previous seasons, coach Mike Crump has led the Harlem powerhouse to the Manhattan regular-season crown, but has failed to get by the PSAL Class AA quarterfinals. That may change this winter.
Next: Robeson @ Gauchos Gym (Jan. 29, 5:30 p.m.)
10. Archbishop Molloy (11-6) (NR)
In front of a packed house at Jack Curran Gymnasium Friday night, Saint Rose-bound Chris Dorgler proved again why he’s one of the most clutch players in the CHSAA. The senior scored 17 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter of a 76-71 double-overtime win against rival St. Francis Prep on Friday night. But when Dorgler fouled out, Chris Garcia and Mark Parisi made huge shots in overtime to seal the win.
Next: Xaverian (Jan. 25, 4:15 p.m.)
New: Archbishop Molloy (11-6) and Wadleigh (17-4)
Dropped out: Holy Cross (10-7) and Thomas Jefferson (10-10)
On the bubble: Bishop Loughlin (6-8), Cardinal Hayes (11-4), Eagle Academy (15-3), Midwood (20-2), South Shore (12-9), Thomas Jefferson (10-10) and Xaverian (8-5)
