The unpredictable PSAL boys basketball season had a predictable week: plenty of upsets and tons of movement. Forest Hills and Robeson parlayed productive borough tournaments to move into our top 10 after a lengthy absence, replacing Transit Tech and McKee/Staten Island Tech. Bronx champion Wings Academy made a big jump while John F. Kennedy and Lincoln fell.
It’s all here in The Post’s boys basketball rankings:
1. Boys & Girls (23-5) (Last week: 1)
The Kangaroos may not be the most talented team in the city, but they are the toughest – from our vantage point anyway. Boys & Girls was without guards Mike Taylor and Antione Slaughter and forwards Leroy (Truck) Fludd and Anthony Hemingway for large portions of the season, yet still won Brooklyn AA and prevailed in the borough tournament. The High is tough, defensive-minded and strong-willed, not to mention deep, attributed that usually lend its way toward playoff success.
Next: Rucker High School Invitational (Feb. 20, TBA)
2. Cardozo (19-7) (3)
Ron Naclerio said it first, so we’ll give the zany Cardozo coach credit: Ryan Rhoomes is the best big man in the PSAL. The 6-foot-8 senior may not have much of an offensive repertoire, but he has a nose for the ball and has a knack for making big plays in clutch moments on each end of the floor. No wonder several Big East schools are after this humble yet confident forward.
Next: Rucker High School Invitational (Feb. 20, TBA)
3. Wings Academy (20-5) (6)
The Wings have been here before under Billy Turnage, pulling off an unexpected Bronx crown, only to fall flat in the city playoffs. This group, full of hungry seniors looking to make a name for themselves, is different. They are also versatile, not relying on one or two players. Forward Krystian Foriest and Del Lewis and guards Deonte Houston, James and Jabriel Blue and Jordan Aaron, are all capable of carrying Wings. That rare quality makes them a legitimate title contender.
Next: Rucker High School Invitational (Feb. 20, TBA)
4. Thomas Jefferson (19-9) (4)
We saw two ends of the spectrum this week with the Orange Wave. There was Thursday’s 24-point blowout of Lincoln when the Division I-bound backcourt of Dave Coley (Stony Brook) and Davontay Grace (St. John’s) were flat-out dominant. Then, there was Saturday and Sunday, when the two were underwhelming. Jefferson’s supporting cast is solid, led by forwards Shamel Williams and Eric Turpin Jr. A city title run is a distinct possibility, but only if Coley and Grace bring it every night. It is up to this more than capable pair to make it happen.
Next: @ St. Raymond (Feb. 19, 6:30 p.m.)
5. John F. Kennedy (21-3) (2)
Was Sunday’s 78-58 loss to Wings Academy an abberation or just a preview of Kennedy’s playoff future? The Knights depend on guards Jeffrey Short and Naquan Pierce so much, when one is off, as Pierce was in The Bronx borough final, they look very beatable. Of course, the odds of the talented point guard shaking off that atypical performance, are very strong.
Next: Rucker High School Invitational (Feb. 20, TBA)
6. Lincoln (16-9) (5)
This wasn’t the way the Railsplitters wanted to finish the regular season: with three losses in four games against PSAL opposition. Lincoln has struggled finding scoring options other than guard Shaqulle Stokes and forward Kamari Murphy. The Coney Island dynamo will also not have to see a borough opponent until the quarterfinals, which is significant. There are few teams that can match the ‘Splitters’ size. Also, look out for freshmen guards Trevonn Morton and Ethan Telfair. The duo played well in Lincoln’s 61-47 victory in the Primetime Shootout on Saturday over Middle Township (N.J.)
Next: PSAL Class AA playoffs (Feb. 25/26, TBA)
7. Wadleigh (1
9-6) (7)
Mike Crump likes to find faults with his teams. He chides his players’ effort, their defensive shortcomings and lack of aggression. Either by choice or to keep his opponent guessing, he rarely touches on the Tigers’ offensive prowess. Wadleigh, it should be mentioned, is a very good offensive team blessed with plenty of length and athleticism.
Next: Rucker High School Invitational (Feb. 20, TBA)
8. Curtis (24-4) (9)
The Warriors were undefeated in Staten Island, blowing out St. Peter’s and knocking off McKee/Staten Island three times. They beat Catholic power Holy Cross and Brooklyn AA foe Robeson. They had Wings Academy and Transit Tech on the ropes, only to fall short. Still, Curtis isn’t getting the respect that is warranted. We fully expect James Timmins, Jonathan Annan and Co. to earn kudos next week.
Next: PSAL Class AA playoffs (Feb. 23/24, TBA)
9. Robeson (16-9) (NR)
Whomever the Eagles meet in the city playoffs, the opponent will feel like a nice change of pace. That’s the benefit of Brooklyn AA – it prepares you for the postseason. By now, Robeson is used to packed gyms, loud crowds and nail-biting finishes. The team it meets, however, may not be.
Next: PSAL Class AA playoffs (Feb. 23/24, TBA)
10. Forest Hills (16-9) (NR)
The Rangers are still in search of a trademark victory. They have lost all three times to Cardozo, fell to Wings Academy early in the year and also lost to Long Island Lutheran. Forest Hills has taken care of business in Queens AA, which is probably the second best borough in the city behind Brooklyn. It made the Queens borough final and gave the Judges a real scare. Ben Chobhaphand has a dynamic talent in UConn-bound forward Maurice Harkless and plenty of scoring options, such as guards Denzel Dulin and Nick Padgett, behind him. The Rangers could make some noise if everything falls right for them.
Next: Rucker High School Invitational (Feb. 20, TBA)
New: Robeson (16-9) and Forest Hills (16-9)
Dropped out: McKee/Staten Island Tech (22-5) and Transit Tech (15-8)
On the bubble: Bedford Academy (18-5), Brooklyn Collegiate (19-5), FDR (21-5), Francis Lewis (20-4) Eagle Academy (11-8), George Westinghouse (18-7), McKee/Staten Island Tech (22-6), South Bronx (23-3), and Transit Tech (15-8)
