Rice and Christ the King met in the CHSAA Class AA intersectional title game in March and the two powerhouses are the favorites to play at Rose Hill Gym again. With the return of Jayvaughn Pinkston, Bishop Loughlin is also a contender.
All Hallows, St. Raymond’s, Xaverian and Holy Cross can each be a darkhorse in the ‘AA,’ while Bishop Ford and Mount St. Michael will compete for the ‘B’ title. Here is the preseason CHSAA New York City top 10.
1. Rice (0-0)
A year ago Rice captured the Class AA intersectional title, the seventh in Mo Hicks’ 15 years as head coach. Durand Scott (Miami) and James Stukes have graduated from that team, but the Raiders just reload. Kansas State-bound Shane Southwell, Jermaine Sanders and Kadeem Jack all return and sophomore guard Da’Shawn Suber led the freshman team to the city title a year ago.
Next: No. 4 All Hallows (Dec. 11, 7 p.m.)
2. Christ the King (0-0)
Can the Royals play for the city title for a fifth straight year? They’re certainly talented enough. Junior point guard Corey Edwards returns, as do frontcourt players Dominykas Milka, Maurice Barrow and the much-improved Roland Brown. League MVP Sean Johnson is now at Duquesne, but highly touted sophomore Omar Calhoun will fill the void at shooting guard.
Next: Curtis (Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m.)
3. Bishop Loughlin (0-0)
Jayvaughn Pinkston is back and better than ever and the 6-foot-6 senior forward has a strong supporting cast featuring senior sharpshooter Branden Frazier, 6-foot-8 rebounding machine Rasi Jenkins and electrifying junior guard Kareem Canty. Ed Gonzalez has plenty of weapons in his first year coaching the Lions.
Next: Thomas Jefferson (Dec. 13, 6:15 p.m. @ Baruch College)
4. All Hallows (0-0)
The Gaels are anxious to prove last year’s remarkable run to the Class AA intersectional semifinals was no fluke. Four starters are back, led by Manhattan-bound guard Michael Alvarado. He is joined by 6-foot-4 Omar Kellman, 6-foot-3 Tevin Williams and 6-foot-5 Geoff Tolentino.
Next: @ No. 9 Mount St. Michael (Dec. 8, 4 p.m.)
5. St. Raymond’s (0-0)
Eight players have transferred out of The Bronx school in the past two years, including three Division I players. But the beat goes on at St. Raymond’s. Sophomore forwards Kerwin Okoro and Daniel Dingle lead the way and junior transfer Devin Brooks just might be an all-city guard at season’s end.
Next: New Rochelle (Dec. 4, 6:30 p.m.)
6. Xaverian (1-0)
The Clippers have the distinction of being the only team in the city to beat both Christ the King and Rice last year. Xaverian is again undersized, but Jack Alesi’s squad isn’t likely to sneak up on anyone this year. Joining Queens College-bound point guard Abe Akanmu is senior Justin Exum and sophomore Brian Bernardi, who are both automatic from beyond the arc.
Next: Boys & Girls (Dec. 12, 5:30 p.m. @ Baruch College)
7. Holy Cross (0-0)
The Knights overachieved a year ago, finishing a respectable 12-15 and losing to Christ the King in the Class AA intersectional quarterfinals. Led by seniors Jaleel Felix and Bryant Fidele and juniors Evan Conti and Marcus Hopper, Holy Cross has a core of experienced players and expectations are raised.
Next: Cardinal Hayes (Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m.)
8. Bishop Ford
Chaz Williams, Bishop Ford’s all-time leading scorer, might be a freshman at Hofstra now, but the Falcons are still stacked and will contend for the Class A intersectional title again. Returning is 6-foot-7 junior Kimari Murphy and senior sharpshooter Matt Hall. Chris Best will take over at the point and Justin McMichael and Nick Jones are also back from a team that lost to Iona Prep in the ‘A’ championship game last year.
Next: Monsignor McClancy (Dec. 8, 3:30 p.m.)
9. Mount St. Michael
Mount coach Tom Fraher was wondering who would replace solid graduated point guard Will Williams, but then Malik Gill, a sophomore transfer from New Rochelle, walked into his office. Junior swingman Peter Aguilar is one of the top scorers in the ‘A’ league and will help guide the Mountaineers in a battle for A-North supremacy with rival Iona Prep.
Next: Salesian (Dec. 2, 4 p.m.)
10. Archbishop Molloy (1-0)
Electrifying guard Russ Smith has graduated and has taken his game to South Kent (Conn.) before heading to Louisville next year. Also gone are 6-foot-7 Jin Hong, 6-foot-4 LeBrandon Smith, Ryan Dillon and Malik Dean. Ernest Rouse is the only familiar face and he’ll be tasked to lead an inexperienced and undersized Molloy team.
Next: Archbishop Stepinac (Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m.)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: St. Francis Prep (0-0), Fordham Prep (0-0), Cardinal Hayes (0-0), St. John’s Prep (0-0) and Regis (0-0)