How quiet was the past week in boys basketball? Our top 10 has no new teams and few changes. This hasn’t happened before, save for the holidays. Playoff matchups, though, have been set and there is movement in the middle somewhat. Read below to get all the details.
1. Long Island City (23-3) (Last week: 1)
With an easy draw, the Bulldogs should be able to cruise into the PSAL Class A semifinals. If they can get there, Brooklyn Collegiate should be waiting and the Lions are a team senior-laden LIC already beat this year.
Next: Martin Luther King Jr., PSAL Class A first round (Feb. 29, 5 p.m.)
2. Mott Haven (22-5) (2)
Doug Porter’s explosive club was the story of the PSAL’s Class A division this year because of how surprising its success was. Mott Haven returned just one starter – point guard Robert Lloyd – from a team that didn’t even win its division last year, yet cruised to the Bronx A title and received the top seed in the ‘A’ playoffs. The emergence of John F. Kennedy transfer Hakeem Grant and sophomore Taquan Givens has turned the Mavericks into a title contender.
Next: FDR, PSAL Class A first round (Feb. 25, 5 p.m.)
3. Collegiate (20-2) (3)
The Dutchmen clinched its third Ivy Prep League crown in four years by completing a season sweep of rival Poly Prep and blasting Dalton last week. Seniors Connor Huff and Ryan Frankel continued memorably productive years, but the recent improved play of sophomore forward Henry Frye – Collegiate’s next star – has taken this team to another level.
Next: Hunter College HS, Collegiate Invitational (Feb. 24, 7 p.m.)
4. Bedford Academy (19-4) (4)
Before starting its journey in the PSAL Class A playoffs, Bedford Academy will test itself in the Collegiate Invitational this weekend. The versatile and deep Panthers should be able to make plenty of noise in the eight-team tournament that includes Collegiate, Long Island Lutheran and Fieldston.
Next: Dalton, Collegiate Invitational (Feb. 24, 5 p.m.)
5. Nazareth (18-6) (NR)
Samson Usilo is probably the best non-‘AA’ player in the CHSAA and Nazareth might be the same when it comes to teams despite playing in the ‘B’ league. The Kingsmen have won 10 straight and clinched an undefeated league title Friday night for the first time in coach Todd Jamison’s 17 years on the bench.
Next: Cathedral/Salesian, CHSAA Class B semifinals (Feb. 28, TBA @ TBA)
6. Brooklyn Collegiate (21-5) (6)
The Lions biggest worry at this point should be rust. When they start the PSAL Class A playoffs Feb. 29 against Bronx Science, Brooklyn Collegiate’s last game will have been Feb. 7, a span of 22 days. That’s not a layoff – it’s an extended vacation.
Next: Bronx Science, PSAL Class A first round (Feb. 29, 5 p.m.)
7. Fieldston (19-4) (8)
The Eagles won’t have to leave The Bronx in the upcoming NYSAISAA Class B tournament after finishing second in the Ivy Prep League. That’s no small edge – Fieldston hasn’t lost at home all year, which can’t make the rest of the field very happy.
Next: FDA, Collegiate Invitational (Feb. 23, 4 p.m.)
8. St. Edmund Prep (18-6) (9)
Matt O’Neill continues to have a stellar season and St. Edmund Prep clinched back-to-back division titles last week. The Eagles weren’t necessarily expected to do so and have fought through adversity – a sophomore, Jose Rodriguez, died during tryouts – to have a stellar season.
Next: St. Joseph by the Sea, CHSAA Class A quarterfinals (Feb. 25, TBA @ TBA)
9. Pathways (19-4) (10)
The loss of Jordan Washington to academic ineligibility actually did wonders for Pathways because it allowed supporting players Shaliek Ulysse, Romario Fletcher and Sam Annorh Jr. to gain confidence. Now that Washington is back, the Queens B East and defending PSAL Class B champions are even more prepared for another title run.
Next: Chelsea, PSAL Class B first round (Feb. 28, 5 p.m.)
10. Poly Prep (13-9) (7)
It was a lost week in Bay Ridge as Poly Prep not only failed to finish first in the Ivy Prep League – it was a possibility at this time last Sunday – but ended the year third, behind Collegiate and Fieldston, and lost junior star Charlie Marquardt to a concussion that has him out for at least a week. That means the Blue Devils will be on the road for the semifinals, likely against Fieldston.
Next: @ Trinity (Feb. 22, 4 p.m.)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Springfield Gardens (17-4), Moore Catholic (18-6), Xavier (12-9), Construction (17-7), Riverdale (10-10), Evander Childs (16-4), WHEELS (17-2) and Hunter College HS (15-2)