It’s mid-March, which must mean time to crown Boys & Girls and Christ the King champions again.
For a second consecutive year, both teams won their respective league titles Sunday – The High beating rival Lincoln at Madison Square Garden and CK besting Rice at Fordham’s Rose Hill Gym.
That means, yet again, they are the top two teams in The Post’s NYC top 10 heading into the state Federation tournament in Albany next week. Could we again have a city clash upstate to determine the No. 1 team in our final rankings?
We won’t know that until March 27, but for now, here’s this week’s top 10.
1. Boys & Girls (24-6) (2)
Antione Slaughter may be small in stature, but he’s immense in every other way. Boys & Girls wouldn’t be back-to-back city champions if not for the senior point guard. He rescued them in the quarterfinals by scoring 12 fourth-quarter points and had 19 in the 62-55 championship game victory over fierce rival Lincoln.
Next: TBA, New York State Federation Class AA semifinals (March 26, 3:45 p.m.)
2. Christ the King (22-6) (3)
The Royals reign atop the CHSAA for a second straight year after beating Rice in their record sixth consecutive trip to the Class AA intersectional final. Omar Calhoun had 18 points and seven rebounds before fouling out and Terrel Hunt had a career day with 15 points and eight rebounds. With a bye into the state Federation final, the defending champs can sit back and watch now as Boys takes on the PHSAA winner, which will be determined this weekend in Glens Falls.
Next: TBA, New York State Federation Class AA final @ Times Union Center (March 27, 2 p.m.)
3. Lincoln (28-3) (1)
It was a disappointing, heartbreaking and crushing finale for Shaquille Stokes and the Railsplitters. The uncommitted senior guard, arguably the city’s best player heading into Sunday’s showdown at the Garden with Boys & Girls, just didn’t have it in the season-closing 62-55 loss. It hardly takes away from Stokes’ year, though right now the Harlem native probably doesn’t feel that way.
Next: Season complete
4. Rice (19-9) (5)
Jermaine Sanders exploded for 30 points in a semifinal win against Holy Cross, but couldn’t get off in Sunday’s final, held in check by Terrel Hunt, CK’s Syracuse-bound football standout. The Cincinnati-bound swingman had just eight points in his final high school game. Fellow senior Emmanuel Andujar, though, went off for 28 points and 16 rebounds in the loss.
Next: Season complete
5. Wings Academy (25-4) (4)
The Wings fell five points short of their Madison Square Garden dream, losing 53-48 to eventual champion Boys & Girls in the PSAL Class AA semifinal. Can they get there next March? The returning quartet of Justin Jenkins, Marvilio Berroa, Steven Gomez and Yosimar Bernardez certainly make that a possibility.
Next: Season complete
6. Cardozo (28-3) (6)
The future of Queens basketball was on display last Wednesday in the Judges’ gut-wrenching 56-54 loss to Lincoln in the PSAL Class AA semifinals. Sophomore Jermaine Lawrence, a 6-foot-8 forward with scholarship offers from Louisville, Virginia Tech and Cincinnati, scored 15 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked three shots, showing his immense potential. When it’s all said and done, Lawrence could be longtime coach Ron Naclerio’s best player – ever.
Next: Season complete
7. St. Raymond (17-11) (7)
Seconds after his team’s thrilling overtime win Wednesday at Carnesecca Arena, Christ the King coach Joe Arbitello issued a stern warning to the CHSAA: Look out for St. Ray’s next year. Indeed, the Ravens are loaded with returning talent, including the likely starting five of Shane Rector, Larry Graves, Myron Hickman, Kerwin Okoro and Daniel Dingle. Anything short of the program’s seventh CHSAA Class AA title would be a disappointment.
Next: Season complete
8. Holy Cross (17-12) (8)
Evan Conti will go down as one of the top scorers in Holy Cross history, but it will do little to dull the pain of a loss to Rice in the CHSAA ‘AA’ semifinals Wednesday at St. John’s. Guarded by Sanders and Richard Council, the senior swingman struggled to get into an offensive rhythm, but still finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in his final high school game. Despite the loss of Conti and center Marcus Hopper, the Knights have several key returning players next year.
Next: Season complete
9. Wadleigh (24-5) (8)
The Tigers lose several key parts, notably guard Trivante Bloodman and forward Lazaro Martinez, but point guard Basily Harley returns, along with dynamic wing Louis Costen. The 6-foot-4 Costen is a player to watch next March; there is little he can’t do.
Next: Season complete
10. South Shore (16-13) (10)
The Vikings may be our preseason No. 1 next winter, a nod to their young talent. If everyone returns – always a question mark – and improved over the summer, there is no reason South Shore shouldn’t at least get to the Garden next March.
Next: Season complete
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Bishop Loughlin (12-14), Forest Hills (15-12), John F. Kennedy (17-11), Mount St. Michael (26-2), Thomas Jefferson (16-13) and Xaverian (16-9)