The stage is set for an incredibly interesting season. South Shore and John F. Kennedy each have almost their entire teams back and ready to make a run at powerhouse Murry Bergtraum, which is still the favorite to win a 13th straight and 14th overall PSAL Class AA city title.
After the big three heavyweights, there are plenty of question marks. Manhattan Center, Francis Lewis, McKee/Staten Island Tech and Midwood were all in the quarterfinals last year, but lost key pieces and have a lot of uncertainty. Will an unheralded team like Truman, Grand Street Campus or Banneker take that big step up? Only time will tell.
Check out the first rankings of the year:
1. Murry Bergtraum (0-0)
The 12-time defending PSAL city champion Lady Blazers might be more motivated than ever to prove they can win yet again despite losing four starters from last year. Guards Cori Coleman, Canisius-bound Ashley Gomez and Shequana Harris and power forward Monae Abrams make up the returning core, while transfers Shaniqua Reese (Oak Hill Academy) and Amber Furtado (Bishop Loughlin) will make an impact right away. Unfortunately, star guard Tayshana (Chicken) Murphy from closed St. Michael Academy will be out for the season with a torn ACL.
Next: No. 4 Manhattan Center (Dec. 1, 5 p.m.)
2. South Shore (0-0)
Talent alone doesn’t win championships. That’s what coach Anwar Gladden wants to get through to his team. South Shore has All-City guard Jasmine Odom, burly forward Fannisha Price and Francis Lewis transfer Tatiana Wilson, among a host of others. Sophomore sharpshooter Aliyah Cooley is out for a month (sports hernia).
Next: @ No. 5 Francis Lewis (Nov. 22, 5 p.m.)
3. John F. Kennedy (0-0)
Everyone knows the kind of hard-nosed, high-intensity defense coach O’Neil Glenn’s teams play. But he thinks this team will be able to score plenty, too. Led by returning forwards Sarah (Bama) Vann and Leshauna Phinazee, the Knights are arguably the deepest team in the PSAL.
Next: Nazareth (Nov. 27, 5 p.m.)
4. Manhattan Center (0-0)
Aziza Patterson and Nijah LaCourt both graduated, so expect forwards Brea Castro Gambrell and Janicha Diaz Carrion to step in as the Lady Rams’ stars. Coach Jaywana Bradley will also have a strong supporting cast, that’s a year older and a year more mature. The question right now for Center is leadership.
Next: Bishop Kearney (Nov. 27, 1 p.m. @ South Shore HS)
5. Francis Lewis (0-0)
The Patriots are going to go as far as juniors Jasmine Davis and Tyese Purvis take them. Davis was already the team’s heart and soul last year and Purvis will be needed to step up in every aspect of the game. St. Michael Academy transfers Jazmine Hamlet and Erica Ward will also be expected to make an impact.
Next: No. 2 South Shore (Nov. 22, 5 p.m.)
6. McKee/Staten Island Tech (0-0)
Coach Peter LaMarca is going to miss sharpshooter and leader Kristen Markoe and sophomore point guard Kelin Walsh won’t be 100 percent at the start of the season after tearing her ACL in last year’s playoffs. But pure scoring junior Kaitlyn Astel is back and LaMarca’s teams are always well-organized and sound defensively.
Next: @ New Dorp (Nov. 30, 6 p.m.)
7. Midwood (0-0)
The Hornets are going to be young, but they still have one of the best shooters in the city in Francess Henry and a budding sophomore in Monet Keane Dawes. First-year coach Mike Moore, who excels at developing individual skills, could have Midwood peaking near the end of the season.
Next: Kellenberg (L.I.) (Nov. 27, 1:40 p.m. @ St. Anthony’s L.I.)
8. Truman (0-0)
Remember the name Krystal Pearson. The athletic, 5-foot-10 wing might be recovering from shoulder surgery, but she’s already impressing opposing coaches in early-season scrimmages. She’ll be the big key as Truman looks to take that next step into becoming one of the PSAL’s elite teams.
Next: Kellenberg (L.I.) (Nov. 27, 3 p.m. @ St. Anthony’s L.I.)
9. Grand Street Campus (0-0)
With Dinero Young joining head coach Corey McFarlane, it might not be long before Grand Street is being talked about among the best teams in the league. The Wolves already have athletic wing Quanisha Ratley, star post Tamara Jones and sharpshooter Clarissa Gallagher. The future is bright.
Next: Boys & Girls (Nov. 24, 5 p.m.)
10. Banneker (0-0)
For assistant coach Munch Llopiz’s money, there might not be a better backcourt in the PSAL than his combination of Bishop Ford transfer Africa Williams, Christ the King transfer Jenipher (J.R.) Rodriguez and Diara Adger. Banneker could be a team to keep an eye on.
Next: Medgar Evers (Nov. 22, 5 p.m.)
On the bubble: Wings (0-0), Boy & Girls (0-0), Brooklyn Collegiate (0-0), Medgar Evers (0-0), Lincoln (0-0), Goldstein (0-0) and West 50th Street Campus (0-0)