We said this was a possibility before the season and just a month into the year, it’s true: expect the unexpected.
Already, we have a new No. 1 as Lincoln replaced defending champion Boys & Girls at the top spot. The changes don’t end there. Cardozo and Wings Academy flip flop at No. 4 and No. 5 while surprising Gompers and Thurgood Marshall make their debut in place of struggling Bronx clubs Kennedy and Eagle Academy.
1. Lincoln (7-0) (Last week: 2)
With all due respect to the PSAL’s other elite guards, and there are many, nobody has gotten off to a better start than Shaquille Stokes. The uncommitted senior has continued to score at a high level (17 points per game) while distributing the ball well (5.5 assists). The best example was his 19-point, six-assist effort in last Thursday’s win over Boys & Girls. He scored when necessary, but also deferred at the right moments. While he’s had plenty of help from freshman guard Isaiah Whitehead and forwards Jordan Dickerson, Michael White and Kamari Murphy, Stokes is the biggest reason the Railsplitters are back atop these rankings and all alone in first place in Brooklyn AA, arguably the best division in the country.
Next: St. Paul IV (Va.) (Dec. 28, TBA)
2. Boys & Girls (6-1) (1)
Granted Dyweil Brown played well in the loss to Lincoln, but Brown is no Antione Slaughter, the Kangaroos’ floor general and on-court leader along with Mike Taylor. Missing as well was Anthony Hemingway, Boys & Girls’ sixth man extraordinaire. We’re not saying the final result would’ve been different had the two seniors been in uniform – there is no way to tell – but we can’t wait for Feb. 1, when the two bitter rivals meet against, this time in Coney Island.
Next: Clark County (Ky.) @ Beach Ball Classic (Dec. 28, 8:45 p.m.)
3. Thomas Jefferson (6-2) (3)
The Orange Wave responded well to the loss to Lincoln by winning three straight, but now comes another step up in class against Catholic power St. Raymond. A win would do wonders for Jefferson’s confidence entering the STOP-DWI Holiday Classic in Binghamton next week.
Next: St. Raymond (Dec. 23, 5:45 p.m.)
4. Cardozo (4-0) (5)
Thus far senior guards Chris Gayot and Shelton Mickell have been the Judges’ best players, consistent leaders for their younger teammates. The two have yet to see a backcourt likes Bayside’s, however, so while Cardozo has a significant edge up front in terms of size against the Commodores, it is a intriguing test nevertheless.
Next: No. 6 Bayside (Dec. 21, 5:15 p.m.)
5. Wings Academy (7-1) (4)
Any other year, tomorrow’s meeting with Kennedy would be a must-see –The Bronx’s best meeting before the long holiday break. But the Knights are down and Wings is up despite Saturday’s hiccup to Catholic Class A favorite Cardinal Hayes in the Big Apple Basketball PSAL-CHSAA Challenge.
Next: John F. Kennedy (Dec. 21, 5:30 p.m.)
6. Bayside (9-1) (6)
Forget Monday’s hard-fought loss to Catholic power Holy Cross, the game the Commodores want is Tuesday’s showdown with nemesis Cardozo. Guards Austin Williams William Dobie have ignited Bayside to this torrid start, but forward Uzonna Akazi needs to have his best game of the year for coach Cory Semper’s kids to prevail. There is a decided size disadvantage inside, but the versatile and gifted 6-foot-5 Akazio has the ability to neutralize the Judges’ forwards in the paint.
Next: @ No. 4 Cardozo (Dec. 21, 5:15 p.m.)
7. Wadleigh (9-3) (7)
Saturday’s 62-59 loss to St. Mary’s of Manhasset was a crushing defeat for Wadleigh because the Tigers have two great chances to prevail. First, Louis Costen missed a possible game-winning free throw with 0.5 seconds remaining and regulation. Second, Lazaro Martinez was called for a charge, a foul coach Mike Crump questioned, nullifying his go-ahead basket with 20 seconds remaining in overtime. While disappointing, the Harlem powerhouse played well against a quality opponent with at least one – if not more – Division I players and rallied after blowing a big lead. The backcourt of Trivante Bloodman and Basil Harley are as tough as they come.
Next: All Hallows, New Heights Classic @ Harlem Police Athletic League (Jan. 2, TBA )
8. Gompers (7-3) (NR)
Carlos Galan and Ohndo Smith have forced an impressive inside-out duo, the two leading Gompers within one loss of Bronx AA leader Wings Academy. The city knew about Galan, a sweet-shooting sophomore, but Smith is a bit of surprise, the 6-foot-9 senior averaging 16 points and 12 rebounds per game.
Next: @ No. 5 Wings Academy (Jan. 4, 5:30 p.m.)
9. Thurgood Marshall Academy (6-2) (NR)
The Panthers are one of the PSAL’s big surprises, already surpassing last year’s league win total. Thurgood Marshall is tied atop Manhattan AA with Harlem rival Wadleigh and went to The Bronx and knocked off Kennedy next week.
Next: @ Manhattan Center (Jan. 4, 5 p.m.)
10. Robeson (6-5) (10)
The Eagles are still looking to hit their stride. They play well one day and struggle the next. Their losses are all to solid foes — from No. 1 Lincoln to No. 2 Boys & Girls and No. 3 Thomas Jefferson — but Robeson is used to beating at least a few of those elite foes.
Next: East Orange (N.J.) @ Planet Athlete National Invitational (Dec. 28, TBA)
New: Gompers (7-3) and Thurgood Marshall Academy (6-2)
Dropped out: John F. Kennedy (2-3) and Eagle Academy (5-4)
On the bubble: Curtis (7-2), Eagle Academy (5-4), Forest Hills (5-4), John F. Kennedy (2-3), McKee/Staten Island Tech (6-5), Midwood (10-2) and South Shore (4-5)