The CHSAA power brokers remain atop our rankings despite a mixed bag of results this week both here and on the road. At the Gonzaga DC Classic, No. 2 St. Raymond and No. 5 Holy Cross met in the third place game with the Ravens coming out on top. Back home, No. 3 Rice and No. 4 Xaverian picked up easy wins.
Undefeated Archbishop Molloy is the only team in the bottom half of our rankings to remain in the same spot.
Here’s at look at this week’s rankings:
1. Christ the King (1-0) (Last week: 1)
The Royals moved up to No. 4 in the nation in the USA Today Super 25 rankings after beating Thomas Jefferson last week. Christ the King was idle this week, but host All Hallows in its league opener Tuesday before heading to Fort Myers, Fla. for the prestigious City of Palms Classic.
Next: All Hallows (Dec. 14, 4:30 p.m.)
2. St. Raymond (2-2) (2)
The Ravens finished third at the Gonzaga DC Classic, defeating Good Counsel (Md.) in the opening round before getting smoked by Charlotte Christian (N.C.) in the semifinals. St. Ray’s did well to bounce back and defeat league foe Holy Cross Sunday in the third place game. Junior Kerwin Okoro was named to the all-tournament team.
Next: @ No. 6 Archbishop Stepinac (Dec. 17, 7 p.m.)
3. Rice (1-0) (3)
After some unconvincing and inconsistent scrimmages, the Dwayne Mitchell-era at Rice got off to a smashing start with a lopsided win at All Hallows in both teams’ league opener last Tuesday. Richard Council and Emmanuel Andujar led the way with 17 points apiece and junior guard Dayshon Smith added 11 in his varsity debut.
Next: @ Salesian (Dec. 14, 5 p.m.)
4. Xaverian (2-0) (4)
The Clippers improved to 2-0 on the season with a convincing 56-40 win over Holy Trinity at the Oceanside Christopher Christmas Challenge Sunday in Mineola, L.I. Junior sharpshooter Brian Bernardi led the way with 20 points while underrated guard Travis Gill added 12.
Next: @ St. Mary’s (Manhasset) (Dec. 17 7:30 p.m.)
5. Holy Cross (3-2) (5)
After defeating Chantilly (Va.) in the opener, Holy Cross dropped its first game of the season, losing to host Gonzaga in the semifinals of the Gonzaga DC Classic. The Knights dug themselves a 16-point hole early and could never recover. Holy Cross then fell to St. Ray’s in the third place game Sunday at American University. Evan Conti was named to the all-tournament team.
Next: St. Anthony’s (Dec. 15, 7 p.m.)
6. Archbishop Stepinac (3-0) (7)
The defending Class A champions continue to roll right along, defeating Xavier, 71-50, Wednesday night in White Plains, their closest game to date. Led by Conroy Baltimore and James Chillemi, the Crusaders go to Regis Tuesday before a showdown with No. 2 St. Raymond Friday night at home.
Next: @ Regis (Dec. 14, 4:30 p.m.)
7. Archbishop Molloy (4-0) (8)
The Stanners improved to 4-0 Friday night, defeating St. Anthony’s (L.I), 75-55, at Jack Curran Gymnasium. Chris Dorgler had a monster game, scoring 24 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, while Mark Parisi contributed 17 points. Molloy takes a step up in competition Wednesday when No. 10 Cardinal Hayes comes to Briarwood.
Next: No. 9 Cardinal Hayes (Dec. 15, 4:15 p.m.)
8. Mount St. Michael (4-0) (10)
Peter Aguilar is clearly a man on a mission. The unsigned senior has scored almost at will and the Mountaineers are 4-0 because of it. After lopsided victories against St. Joseph by the Sea, McClancy and Kellenberg, Mount took a step up in class Monday and passed the test, beating Bishop Loughlin 78-74. Again Aguilar came up huge, scoring 16 of his 24 points after halftime.
Next: All Hallows (Dec. 16, 4 p.m.)
9. Cardinal Hayes (2-1) (NR)
The Cardinals exile from the top 10 lasted all of one week. After being bounced because of a 25-point home loss to Holy Cross, Hayes rebounded well, going to Kellenberg and winning by 20 and then defeating St. Francis Prep, 76-69, back in The Bronx Friday night. Joe Lods squad heads to Monsignor McClancy Tuesday and remain in Queens to meet Archbishop Molloy Wednesday.
Next: @ Monsignor McClancy (Dec. 14, 4 p.m.)
10. Bishop Loughlin (1-3) (6)
After a mixed bag of results at the A-Rod Basketball Classic in Miami, Bishop Loughlin returned home to play its first game in Brooklyn Monday afternoon against Mount St. Michael and lost a thriller. Ed Gonzalez’s young squad will try to regroup in time for the Big Apple Basketball PSAL CHSAA Challenge where they will take on Robeson at Baruch.
Next: Robeson @ Baruch College (Dec. 18, 7 p.m.)
New: Cardinal Hayes (2-1)
Dropped out: St. Francis Prep (4-1)
On the bubble: Fordham Prep (2-0), St. Edmund Prep (3-1), St. Francis Prep (4-1), St. Peter’s (6-0) and Xavier (2-1)