The PSAL crowned a new city champion Saturday afternoon, and for the first time in four years, the game lived up to the hype. Boys & Girls rallied to knock off Cardozo, 55-50, at Madison Square Garden, ending more than three decades of frustration.
The CHSAA Class A (Archbishop Stepinac) and Class B (Salesian) champions have been crowned and the Class AA is down to its final four teams, including the top three in The Post’s New York City boys basketball rankings.
Can Christ the King survive losing starting point guard Corey Edwards to a season-ending injury? Can Jayvaughn Pinkston, who has every individual accolade imaginable, finally win that elusive title? Will Rice repeat or will St. Raymond’s shock everyone and take the crown? All that will be answered by Sunday night.
As for how the top 10 looks this week, you don’t have to wait. Those answers are below.
1. Christ the King (22-5) (Last week: 1)
All-league point guard Corey Edwards dislocated his left foot in practice Sunday and had surgery on Monday. It’s a stunning blow for the Royals, who are looking to make a fifth consecutive trip to the Class AA final. Coach Joe Arbitello has said all year that his team is deep and versatile. Now is the time for the Royals to prove it.
Next: No. 6 St. Raymond’s, CHSAA Class AA intersectional semifinals @ St. John’s University (March 10, 6 p.m.)
2. Bishop Loughlin (22-5) (2)
The league’s best player is again back in the Class AA intersectional semifinals. A year ago, Pinkston’s junior season ended at St. John’s with a loss to rival Christ the King. Will the McDonald’s All-American play in his first final before heading to Villanova? Defending champ Rice stands in the way.
Next: No. 3 Rice, CHSAA Class AA intersectional semifinals @ St. John’s University (March 10, 7:30 p.m.)
3. Rice (21-5) (3)
The Raiders have a certain swagger come March, it comes from experience of playing, and winning, big games. Although Rice struggled down the stretch of the regular season, the postseason swagger is back and Rice, led by Jermaine Sanders, Shane Southwell and Kadeem Jack, is a tough out.
Next: No. 2 Bishop Loughlin, CHSAA Class AA intersectional semifinals @ St. John’s University (March 10, 7:30 p.m.)
4. Boys & Girls (28-5) (4)
What a scene we had at the Garden Saturday afternoon as Boys & Girls celebrated its first city title since 1979. With tears in her eyes, Ruth Lovelace became the first female coach to lead a boys team to the crown in PSAL history, just seven months after Frank Mickens, the man who hired her and won the last title at the Bed-Stuy school, passed away in his sleep. Lost in the celebration was a truly spectacular performance from guard Mike Taylor, who scored 20 of his 25 points after halftime.
Next: State Federation Class AA final vs. TBA (Mar. 28, 3 p.m.)
5. Cardozo (25-8) (5)
It pained Ron Naclerio to say it, because he has developed quite a bond with this team, but this group of Judges will be remembered for what they failed to accomplish. They will be identified as soft, unable to rise to the challenge against the very best. Saturday’s heartbreaking loss in the PSAL Class AA final to Boys & Girls, when Cardozo blew an 11-point, second-quarter lead, was the final example.
Next: Season over
6. St. Raymond’s (13-14) (8)
With apologies to the pork industry, we have a good slogan for the Ravens as they enter the Class AA Final Four: St. Raymond’s, it’s the other semifinalist. No one is taking about the Ravens, a heavy underdog, and that’s just the way coach Oliver Antigua likes it. His young team, led by sophomores Daniel Dingle and Kerwin Okoro, will be loose on Wednesday.
Next: No. 1 Christ the King, CHSAA Class AA intersectional semifinals @ St. John’s University (March 10, 6 p.m.)
7. Wings Academy (24-6) (6)
The dream was to get to Madison Square Garden, so when it was dashed, there was plenty of disappointment. But coach Billy Turnage said it best: “The guys put the program back where it belongs and it’s on us to build off that.” The future remains bright, led by junior point guard Deonte Houston, who should be one of the city’s elite floor generals next year. Sophomores Ian Vasquez and Steven Gomez also hold plenty of promise. Wings could be back at St. John’s again next March.
Next: Season over
8. Holy Cross (17-10) (7)
Knights coach Paul Gilvary said he never knew the meaning of a rhythm team until he figured out last week that his team was just that. Holy Cross was “a beat off” all for much of its game against St. Raymond’s in the quarterfinals and by the time the Knights tuned up, the gig was up.
Next: Season over
9. Transit Tech (18-10) (9)
If there is a better basketball coach in the PSAL than Mike Perazzo, we would like to meet them. Perazzo gets the most out of his team year in and year out. He nearly led the Express to the Garden for the PSAL Class AA championship game, giving Cardozo all it wanted in the semifinals. While Transit Tech loses forwards Barry Posey and Manhattan-bound Rhamel Brown, it is sure to be a factor next year. Perazzo, after all, isn’t going anywhere. Talented guards Anthony Prescott and Shaquille Paugh are back, too.
Next: Season over
10. Thomas Jefferson (20-10) (10)
Lawrence (Bud) Pollard has put the Orange Wave back on the map over the last five years, but he has yet to get them to climb the proverbial PSAL mountain: Two semifinals finishes were followed by a disappointing quarterfinal berth. Talent isn’t the problem. It’s been poise and focus.
Next: Season over
New: none
Dropped out: none
On the bubble: All Hallows (11-13), Cardinal Hayes (19-7), Curtis (26-5), Collegiate (25-4), John F. Kennedy (22-5), Lincoln (17-10), Wadleigh (21-7), and Xaverian (13-12)