In a week with plenty of pivotal games, things stayed the status quo. The teams that were supposed to win – for the most part – did.
That isn’t a guarantee this coming week. South Shore and McKee/Staten Island Tech clash with seeding on the line and two teams – Midwood and John F. Kennedy – have the chance to throw a real monkey wrench into these rankings. No. 6 Midwood meets No. 2 Francis Lewis on Friday and No. 3 Kennedy takes on No. 1 Bergtraum on Wednesday.
Here’s how the rankings stack up:
1. Murry Bergtraum (19-0) (Last week: 1)
The Lady Blazers didn’t play their best basketball, but they made sure that history wasn’t repeated last week against Manhattan Center. Last year, the Lady Rams shocked nationally ranked Bergtraum in February. Not this time. Doris Ortega led the way and the 11-time defending PSAL champs pulled it out. This week? Two more challenges: Kennedy on Wednesday and Central Dauphin (Pa.), which was nationally ranked earlier this season, on Saturday.
Next: No. 3 John F. Kennedy (Feb. 10, 5 p.m.)
2. Francis Lewis (16-3) (2)
The second seed in the PSAL Class AA playoffs is probably the Patriots’ to lose. Lewis needs to take care of business against August Martin on Wednesday and Midwood on Friday to secure things. Then, coach Steve Tsai’s team meets Archbishop Molloy on Sunday in what amounts to a postseason tuneup.
Next: August Martin (Feb. 10, 5 p.m.)
3. John F. Kennedy (16-6) (3)
The Knights all but locked up the No. 3 seed in the PSAL Class AA playoffs by beating Manhattan Center in a rematch last Wednesday. Now Kennedy has a chance to make a bid for an even higher slot. Could O’Neil Glenn’s team take out Bergtraum on Wednesday?
Next: Clinton (Feb. 8, 5 p.m.)
4. McKee/S.I. Tech (21-1) (4)
We’ve taken some shots at the Sea Gulls and their schedule the last few weeks. But don’t get us wrong. MSIT is good enough to beat any team in the PSAL. Coach Peter LaMarca’s team gets back on the horse Friday when it visits No. 5 South Shore. It’ll be Tech’s first time off the Island since the holiday break.
Next: @ Petrides (Feb. 8, 4:30 p.m.)
5. South Shore (13-7) (5)
The Vikings are searching for their first big victory since they beat Moore Catholic in overtime over the holidays. They could get it Friday in the form of another Staten Island team: McKee/Staten Island Tech. That game will have serious seeding and rankings implications.
Next: Grand Street Campus (Feb. 8, 5 p.m.)
6. Midwood (13-9) (6)
The Hornets have vanquished the last two ranked PSAL teams they have faced – South Shore and Manhattan Center. Now, they will take aim at No. 2 Francis Lewis, which is still undefeated against PSAL squads. If 6-foot-2, Northeastern-bound center Jewel Tunstull plays like she did Saturday against Center, the Patriots could be in for a tough game Friday in Fresh Meadows.
Next: Banneker (Feb. 8, 5 p.m.)
7. Manhattan Center (13-9) (7)
An argument could be made that an 0-3 week didn’t completely crush Manhattan Center. If the Lady Rams get the seventh seed in the PSAL Class AA playoffs, they’ll be fine – out of Bergtraum’s bracket with a legitimate chance to make the Garden. Of course, they will need to get back guards Kyale Waters, Kiarah Dunlap and/or Sonata Mallory to increase their odds.
Next: @ Frederick Douglass (Feb. 8, 5 p.m.)
8. Thomas Jefferson (11-6) (8)
The Orange Wave might need some help to wiggle out of the No. 8 spot in the rankings. If they’re seeded as such, they’re facing a meeting with Bergtraum in the quarterfinals, which no team is keen on. But if Jefferson can sneak into a No. 6 or No. 7 seed, it’ll be extremely dangerous in the playoffs. No team has a better backcourt than Providence-bound guards Alicia Cropper and Danielle Pearson.
Next: Lincoln (Feb. 8, 5 p.m.)
9. Medgar Evers (18-2) (9)
Is it the playoffs yet? The Cougars are biding their time until then. Medgar Evers figures to earn the No. 1 seed and, with Ashley Castle hitting her stride, should be the favorite to win it all.
Next: @ Fort Hamilton (Feb. 9, 4:30 p.m.)
10. West 50th Street (20-4) (10)
We get the feeling that Jade Venson, the Seahawks’ uber-athletic junior forward, will be having her coming out party in the playoffs. Though seniors Shanequa Lassiter and LIU-bound center Justine Perry lead the way for West 50th, when Venson is playing well this team is very hard to beat.
Next: Brandeis (Feb. 9, 4:30 p.m.)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Wings (17-1), Banneker (10-6), Truman (10-10), Tottenville (14-4), Lincoln (9-8), Baruch College Campus (13-3), Fort Hamilton (16-5), Leon Goldstein (14-2) and Grand Street (4-7)
