A pair of CHSAA teams – both from Westchester County – have posed with championship plaques at Rose Hill Gymnasium already for the league’s lower level divisions, but the big boys step on the court Sunday for the Class AA title game.
Who joins Archbishop Stepinac and Salesian as the league’s third championship squad? That answer comes Sunday afternoon, but first there’s the Class AA semifinals at St. John’s Wednesday?
Fittingly, the top four teams in The Post’s CHSAA boys basketball rankings will be competing at Carnesecca Arena in the semifinals.
How do the rest of the rankings pan out? We’ve got your answers right now.
1. Christ the King (22-5) (Last week: 1)
The Royals have played without star point guard Corey Edwards before, a season-opening win at All Hallows and an overtime victory at St. Raymond’s last month, and they will have to do so again Wednesday. Christ the King is the deepest team in the league and the Royals will rely on T.J. Curry and Kareem Thomas to fill the void.
Next: No. 4 St. Raymond’s, Class AA intersectional semifinals @ St. John’s University (March 10, 6 p.m.)
2. Bishop Loughlin (22-5) (2)
The Lions are playing their best basketball of the year and that’s good, because they’ll need it Wednesday against defending Class AA state champion Rice. We all know Jayvaughn Pinkston is the best player in the city, but the other guys – Branden Frazier, Kareem Canty and Davonte Dunham – have stepped up big in the postseason.
Next: No. 3 Rice, Class AA intersectional semifinals @ St. John’s University (March 10, 7:30 p.m.)
3. Rice (21-5) (3)
The Raiders scoff at the idea they’re not the favorite to repeat as Class AA intersectional champs. Hey, they’ve got a point. Jermaine Sanders is a silent assassin and Kadeem Jack is looking a lot more like that devastating shot blocker we saw pre-Arizona recruiting trip. Plus, Rice has the X-factor – been there, done that. It’s their title to lose.
Next: No. 2. Bishop Loughlin, Class AA intersectional semifinals @ St. John’s University (March 10, 7:30 p.m.)
4. St. Raymond’s (13-14) (5)
The Ravens weren’t supposed to get here, they weren’t supposed to be one of the final four teams standing in the CHSAA, and yet here they are. St. Raymond’s is playing with house money, with zero expectations. That makes them one dangerous CHSAA ‘AA’ semifinalist. Whatever happens on Wednesday, look out for the Ravens in the years to come as long as this group stays together.
Next: No. 1 Christ the King, Class AA intersectional semifinals @ St. John’s University (March 10, 6 p.m.)
5. Holy Cross (17-10) (4)
Holy Cross was one of the most consistent teams in the CHSAA all season, that is until the Class AA quarterfinals. Nothing seemed to work for the Knights, who appeared sluggish against a hungry and young St. Raymond’s squad. After such a great season, senior Jahleel Felix deserved better.
Next: Season complete
6. Xaverian (13-13) (6)
The Clippers season came to an end Friday night to mighty Rice, which was simply bigger and stronger. In his final high-school game, Justin Exum had 17 points and kept undersized Xaverian in the game for three quarters.
Next: Season complete
7. Cardinal Hayes (20-8) (7)
Just when it looked like Cardinal Hayes had turned a corner, was finally about to get that elusive big win, Archbishop Stepinac rallied from a 13-point deficit early in the third quarter to claim the Class A intersectional title. Of Hayes’ eight losses this season, seven came to A-North foes Stepinac, Mount St. Michael and Iona Prep.
Next: Season complete
8. St. Joseph by the Sea (17-10) (8)
The Vikings’ remarkable run in the Class A intersectional playoffs came to an end in the semifinals where bigger, stronger Hayes won, 54-32. The shots that fell in wins against Cardinal Spellman, St. Edmund Prep and Mount St. Michael didn’t fall against the Cardinals. Still, it was quite a run by a senior-laden guard-heavy squad.
Next: Season complete
9. All Hallows (12-14) (9)
There’s something magical about John Carey come the postseason. The wily coach always finds a way to get the most out of his squad. That was no different this year, but the Gaels met their match in No. 2 Bishop Loughlin in the Class AA quarterfinals.
Next: Season complete
10. Xavier (16-9) (10)
After stunning the city high school hoops world by beating defending Class A intersectional champion, Xavier’s magical run came to an end against another tough Westchester squad as Archbishop Stepinac rallied to defeat the Knights, 57-56, in the semifinals.
Next: Season complete
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Archbishop Molloy (11-16), Mount St. Michael (20-5) and Bishop Ford (18-7)