Christ the King and South Shore both moved up a spot in this week’s rankings. Coincidentally, the two teams will face off Sunday in the main event of the New York Post CHSAA vs. PSAL Girls Basketball Invitational at CK.
Five other teams in the top 10 will also compete Sunday in the inaugural event. It’ll be sure to have serious implications on the rankings next week.
Here’s how things look now:
1. St. Michael Academy (11-1) (Last week: 1)
Jennifer O’Neill was absolutely lights out against Mount Vernon on Saturday night, pouring in 40 points at the Woodlawn Breast Cancer Awareness Classic in Westchester. Could a McDonald’s All American bid be in the cards for the Eagles star? If you haven’t seen her play, you best get out to Christ the King on Sunday, when nationally ranked St. Mike’s takes on Francis Lewis in the New York Post CHSAA vs. PSAL Girls Basketball Invitational.
Next: No. 5 Francis Lewis (Jan. 17, 5 p.m. @ New York Post CHSAA vs. PSAL Girls Basketball Invitational)
2. Murry Bergtraum (12-0) (2)
Coach Ed Grezinsky said a lackluster first half against John F. Kennedy might have been a wakeup call for his team. Well, Bergtraum was very much awake against Manhattan Center on Monday – the Lady Blazers started the game on a 28-4 run. Next Sunday is a big one: Neptune (N.J.) at the Hoop Group Boardwalk Showcase at Monmouth University.
Next: Truman (Jan. 13, 5 p.m.)
3. Christ the King (7-3) (4)
Coach Bob Mackey believes Penn State-bound forward Ariel Edwards can be the defensive catalyst for his club. She certainly was that Saturday, taking seven charges in a win over Mary Louis. The Royals will have revenge on their mind when Bishop Ford comes to Middle Village Friday. CK also squares off against No. 9 South Shore at the New York Post CHSAA vs. PSAL Girls Basketball Invitational on Sunday.
Next: @ Bishop Kearney (Jan. 11, 6 p.m.)
4. St. Peter’s (9-1) (3)
Pace-bound forward Victoria Jones wasn’t playing up to her potential after an ankle injury. She quickly changed that with an 18-point, 11-rebound performance in a hard-fought win over rival Moore Catholic. St. Peter’s, which lost to Archbishop Wood (Pa.) for its first defeat of the season Sunday, plays Manhattan Center at the New York Post CHSAA vs. PSAL Girls Basketball Invitational on Sunday. A date with No. 10 Molloy is set for the day before.
Next: @ Notre Dame Academy (Jan. 12, 7 p.m.)
5. Francis Lewis (12-0) (5)
Now we’ll really get to see what Lewis is made of. With Kelly Robinson running the point, the Patriots were an absolute rock – legitimately one of the city’s best teams. Without their fallen star (torn ACL), will they be quite as good. Sunday’s game against No. 1 St. Michael Academy in the New York Post CHSAA vs. PSAL Girls Basketball Invitational at Christ the King will be one heck of a test.
Next: Boys & Girls (Jan. 15, 5 p.m.)
6. Mary Louis (6-3) (6)
TMLA needs to build off its second-half surge in a loss to CK.Mary Louis will learn a lot about where it stands in CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens this week. It has dates with both St. Francis Prep and Archbishop Molloy before it plays Midwood and Northeastern-bound center Jewel Tunstull at the New York Post CHSAA vs. PSAL Girls Basketball Invitational Sunday.
Next: No. 8 St. Francis Prep (Jan. 12, 5:45 p.m.)
7. Bishop Ford (10-1) (7)
Ford is in its most important stretch of the season. It plays Christ the King on the road on Friday, trying to knock the Royals off for the second time this year. It then returns to CK to play Kennedy at the New York Post CHSAA vs. PSAL Girls Basketball Invitational on Sunday and battles No. 1 St. Mike’s at home on Monday. The Falcons get sophomore guard Shanice Vaughan back from a knee injury just in time.
Next: @ Bishop Loughlin (Jan. 11, 6 p.m.)
8. St. Francis Prep (8-3) (8)
The Terriers could not buy a basket, let alone a layup, in a lopsided loss to Christ the King. Junior Nicole Lenard caught fire against Bishop Kearney to lead SFP to its second league win this season, much to the delight of coach JoAnn Wagner. Prep can make its second big statement if it can beat Mary Louis in Jamaica Estates.
Next: @ No. 6 Mary Louis (Jan. 12, 5:30 p.m.)
9. South Shore (9-2) (10)
Which is the real South Shore? Is it the team that blew out Thomas Jefferson on Sunday and Midwood in its season opener? Or is it the team that got routed by Mary Louis and Bishop Ford over the holiday break? We’ll find out the answer Sunday at Christ the King when the Vikings meet the host team in the New York Post CHSAA vs. PSAL Girls Basketball Invitational.
Next: @ No. 3 Christ the King (Jan. 17, 7 p.m. @ New York Post CHSAA vs. PSAL Girls Basketball Invitational)
10. Archbishop Molloy (6-5) (10)
If you haven’t noticed, Kelly Guerriero has found her shooting stroke. The senior guard has scored 20 or more points and connected on five 3-pointers in two of the Stanners’ last three games, both wins. The Stanners suffered a major setback in a loss to Long Island Lutheran, but they can rebound with wins over Mary Louis and St. Peter’s this week.
Next: @ No. 6 Mary Louis (Jan. 14, 6 p.m.)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Moore Catholic (8-4), McKee/Staten Island Tech (13-1), Bishop Kearney (7-4), Thomas Jefferson (5-6), Manhattan Center (9-4), John F. Kennedy (10-4), Midwood (6-7) and Cardinal Spellman (5-3)
