Things have been going a mile a minute in the girls basketball world since Thanksgiving. It’s about time there’s a little break for the PSAL. With Regents being taken, that finally comes this week as everyone gets a little breather.
Not that it lasts very long. This coming weekend is the PSAL/John F. Kennedy Challenge, by far the largest event – two days, two gyms, 25-plus games – in New York City and perhaps the biggest and best on the East Coast. The lineup is loaded and five of the top six PSAL ranked teams will be competing in intriguing games.
Find out more below:
1. Murry Bergtraum (11-3) (Last week: 1)
The season is starting to reach the home stretch and Bergtraum has been through the wars, close games against John F. Kennedy, St. Peter’s, St. John’s College (D.C.) and Hillhouse (D.C.). Saturday could very well bring another one. The Lady Blazers match up with H.D. Woodson (D.C.) at the Kennedy Challenge, which will be another big test for the 12-time defending PSAL champion.
Next: H.D. Woodson, PSAL/John F. Kennedy Challenge (Jan. 29, 3:30 p.m. @ Kennedy)
2. South Shore (13-3) (2)
It’s been awhile since quiet South Shore has challenged itself against an elite team – probably since the Vikings fell to Teaneck (N.J.) before the holidays. But that changes this weekend. We’ll find out a lot more about coach Anwar Gladden’s team when it meets the best team on Long Island, St. Anthony’s, and Mary Louis at the Kennedy Challenge.
Next: St. Anthony’s, PSAL/John F. Kennedy Challenge (Jan. 29, 6:30 p.m. @ InTech Academy)
3. John F. Kennedy (14-6) (3)
Few dispute that Kennedy is one of the three top teams in the PSAL, especially after hanging with Murry Bergtraum for four quarters. But Saturday’s game against Long Island Lutheran is pivotal since Francis Lewis owns a win over the Crusaders. LuHi is one of lone common opponents those teams – who figure to be jockeying for seeding – play all year.
Next: Long Island Lutheran, PSAL/John F. Kennedy Challenge (Jan. 29, 2 p.m. @ Kennedy)
4. Francis Lewis (11-5) (4)
Much like Kennedy on Saturday plays Long Island Lutheran, a team Lewis beat, Lewis plays Moore Catholic, a team that beat Kennedy. So this weekend could go a long way in determining how these two teams are seeded for the playoffs. A Patriots win over Moore would be massive.
Next: Moore Catholic, PSAL/John F. Kennedy Challenge (Jan. 29, 5 p.m. @ InTech Academy)
5. McKee/S.I. Tech (14-4) (5)
The Seagulls get a bit of a break this week for Regents and then it’s right back into interesting games next Monday when they travel to Staten Island Academy, which is probably the best Island team MSIT plays since it doesn’t have St. Peter’s or Moore Catholic on its schedule.
Next: @ Staten Island Academy (Jan. 31, 6:30 p.m.)
6. Manhattan Center (7-11) (6)
The Lady Rams need some Ws and there’s no better time but this weekend to get things rolling. Manhattan Center plays solid D.C. squad National Christian Academy on Saturday and Long Island Lutheran on Sunday at the Kennedy Challenge. If coach Jaywana Bradley’s team leaves The Bronx 2-0, it’ll be back in business.
Next: National Christian Academy, PSAL/John F. Kennedy Challenge (Jan. 29, 12:30 p.m. @ Kennedy)
7. Lincoln (10-4) (7)
The Railsplitters continue to be the PSAL’s biggest surprise. Last Wednesday, Lincoln knocked off division rival Midwood for the second straight time this year. Coaches Titi Hodges and Ciara Shields have the program going in the right direction – it has won five of its last six league games plus the Baseline Holiday Madness Tournament over the holidays.
Next: @ Beach Channel (Jan. 28, 5 p.m.)
8. Banneker (11-8) (8)
Give credit to the Banneker players. With the drama that happened two weeks ago between star Africa Williams’ father Mike and coach Jonathan Anderson, the Warriors have been stoic. They beat Boys & Girls in the game in which the two got into a fight and defeated West 50th Street Campus last Monday in the Mika/Crown Martin Luther King Classic.
Next: Beach Channel (Jan. 24, 5 p.m.)
9. Midwood (8-8) (9)
Francess Henry is one of the best unsigned seniors in the PSAL – definitely a scholarship player at the Division II level. The sharpshooting, 5-foot-9 wing has been carrying Midwood all year and her supporting cast is starting to come along, too. The Hornets could play sleeper down the stretch.
Next: @ Cardozo (Jan. 28, 5 p.m.)
10. Truman (10-9) (NR)
The Mustangs make their return to the rankings this week after going 2-for-2 in Brooklyn. Truman beat Medgar Evers at the Mika/Crown Martin Luther King last Monday and dispatched Grand Street Campus on Thursday. After a rocky holiday stretch when star Krystal Pearson was ill, coach John Burke’s group looks to be in order just in time for the stretch run.
Next: FDA (Jan. 31, 5 p.m.)
New: Truman (10-9)
Dropped out: Grand Street Campus (10-7)
On the bubble: Medgar Evers (9-5), Wings (13-2), Tottenville (15-2), Goldstein (13-2), West 50th Street Campus (11-5), Baruch College Campus (11-1) and Brooklyn Collegiate (11-5)
