Nobody could beat The High this year when it counted.
Boys & Girls won its third straight PSAL Class AA city title and wrapped up its first New York State Federation Class AA crown Sunday by knocking off defending champion Mount Vernon. As a result, the Kangaroos finish atop our NYC boys basketball rankings, followed by St. Raymond, which fell to the Brooklyn dynamo in the state semifinals.
For a full rundown of our last top 10 of the year, read below:
1. Boys & Girls (26-6) (Last week: 1)
The Kangaroos capped an unbelievably successful season on Sunday, topping Mount Vernon for their first New York State Federation Class AA title. Leroy (Truck) Fludd cemented his status as arguably the city’s best player with 25 points and impressive junior Wesley Myers was typically productive in adding 17 points.
Next: Season complete
2. St. Raymond (21-10) (2)
Unable to hold onto a nine-point, second-quarter lead, St. Raymond had its eight-game winning streak snapped in the New York State Federation Class AA semifinals in a 66-54 loss to Boys & Girls. Nevertheless, it was a memorable year for the program’s seniors such as Daniel Dingle, Kerwin Okoro, Myron Hickman and Larry Graves, who went out with the school’s first city title since 2004.
Next: Season complete
3.
Thomas Jefferson (25-7) (3)
Between guards Jaquan (Son Son) Lynch, Patrick (Stink) Brown and Rachard Moody and forwards Jermoine (Flirt) Faison and Kareem Johnakin, the Orange Wave have the core in place to get back to Madison Square Garden for the PSAL Class AA finals. Look for Lynch, Johnakin and Faison in particular to emerge as the program’s linchpins
Next: Season complete
4. Holy Cross (24-5) (4)
The Knights graduate their entire starting five, but the future is extremely bright. The freshmen team won the city championship behind Jermaine Bishop and Cheyenne Nettleton and reserve Terrell Williams played a role on the varsity reaching the CHSAA Class AA intersectional finals.
Next: Season complete
5. Cardinal Hayes (24-5) (7)
There may not be a better backcourt in the city next year than the one at Hayes. Talented guards Tyler Wilson, Chris Robinson and Shavar Newkirk will be worth the price of admission next year.
Next: Season complete
6. Wings Academy (25-4) (6)
The Wings now belong to Jaequan Brown and Marvilio Berroa. The two junior wings got better as the year wore on, but they won’t be role players anymore – they will be the ones responsible for getting Wings over its PSAL Class AA semifinal demons.
Next: Season complete
7. Lincoln (19-10) (7)
You’ll here plenty of rumors between now and next November about what players Lincoln may be adding. We don’t think the Railsplitters need any additions. They are loaded in the backcourt with Isaiah Whitehead, Ethan Telfair, Shaquille Davis and A.J. Williams and have a legit big man in Tighe Oberg. That’s a quintet that would do plenty of damage.
Next: Season complete
8. Mount St. Michael (21-7) (8)
Malik Gill made it official on Wednesday at Mount St. Michael, announcing his commitment to Dartmouth. The backcourt tandem of the Mountaineers’ impressive point guard and sharpshooter Alex Mitola of New Jersey powerhouse Gill St. Bernard’s could wreak havoc on the rest of the Ivy League in the years to come.
Next: Season complete
9. Christ the King (19-8) (9)
Experience won’t be a factor next winter – Christ King absolutely should be there at the end as juniors Jordan Fuchs, Isaiah Lewis, Jon Severe and Malik Harmon will be seniors and have a full year of varsity basketball under their belt. That is, of course, important. Just look at all the seniors on St. Raymond and Boys & Girls – of the two teams’ 10 starters, eight were seniors.
Next: Season complete
10. South Shore (19-9) (10)
The Vikings return two of the city’s top juniors in Shamiek Sheppard and Terrence Samuel, versatile sophomore Doudmy Saint Hilaire and there should be a series of call-ups from the city championship-winning junior varsity program. Yes, South Shore will remain a contender next winter.
Next: Season complete
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Bishop Loughlin (13-14), Curtis (24-6), Xaverian (17-10), Archbishop Molloy (16-12), Cardozo (24-7), Wadleigh (23-7) and All Hallows (10-15)