Sports

New York City boys basketball rankings

It was another unpredictable week on the hardwood. No. 1 Rice was upset by Holy Cross, but held onto the top spot after Christ the King fell to Bishop Loughlin. In the PSAL, Cardozo is back, in place of Thomas Jefferson, after walloping Long Island Lutheran and nearly upsetting Rice.

1. Rice (14-3) (Last week: 1)

Just when we thought they were out, they dragged themselves back in. The Raiders rebounded from a stunning loss at Holy Cross to beat PSAL power brokers Boys & Girls and Cardozo on back-to-back days.

Next: St. Raymond’s (Feb. 5, 7:30 p.m.)

2. Bishop Loughlin (14-4) (4)

Jayvaughn Pinkston and company avenged last week’s home loss to Christ the King by beating the Royals on the road Friday night, snapping a four-game losing streak against their division rivals.

Next: @ Archbishop Molloy (Feb. 2, 4 p.m.)

3. Christ the King (13-4) (2)

A win against Loughlin would have made CK our top dogs. But the Royals bounced back well to beat a tough St. Peter’s Prep (N.J.) squad in overtime Saturday at the Prudential Center. A meeting with Rice on Super Sunday is on the horizon.

Next: St. Francis Prep (Feb. 2, 7:30 p.m.)

4. Boys & Girls (18-5) (3)

The Kangaroos have the inside track on the top seed for the upcoming PSAL Class AA playoffs, but only if they can get by Lincoln first. Forward Leroy Isler has keyed the Boys & Girls attack, along with guards Antione Slaughter and Mike Taylor.

Next: No. 5 Lincoln (Feb. 2, 5 p.m.)

5. Lincoln (14-6) (4)

The four-time PSAL champions weren’t supposed to be in the running this year, not after graduating three Division I players, including Lance Stephenson. Yet they are vying for another crown behind standout guard Shaquille Stokes.

Next: @ No. 4 Boys & Girls (Feb. 2, 5 p.m.)

6. Wings Academy (16-3) (6)

The Wings, winners of 11 straight, may be the biggest surprise in the city this year. They returned just one starter (Krystian Foriest) and a plethora of inexperienced, albeit talented, guards. Senior Jordan Aaron has emerged as coach Billy Turnage’s most reliable scorer.

Next: @ Lehman (Feb. 2, 5 p.m.)

7. All Hallows (10-6) (7)

The Gaels were idle last week and we wonder what that will do to their momentum. Led by Manhattan-bound guard Michael Alvarado, All Hallows takes a seven-game winning streak into a home game against Holy Cross Tuesday.

Next: Holy Cross (Feb. 2, 4 p.m.)

8. John F. Kennedy (17-2) (8)

There may not be a better 1-2 punch in the city than guards Naquan Pierce and Jeffrey Short. They are averaging more than 51 points per game, leading Kennedy, last year’s PSAL runner-up, to the top of The Bronx.

Next: Truman (Feb. 2, 5 p.m.)

9. Xaverian (8-7) (10)

The Clippers might be on schedule for another late-season run. With Justin Exum and Brian Bernardi running the show, Xaverian regrouped from a tough loss at CK to crush St. Raymond’s and then beat a solid Wadleigh squad.

Next: @ Thomas Edison (Feb. 3, 5:30 p.m.)

10. Cardozo (12-7) (NR)

The Judges are an enigma. They can go from lights out to inconsistent in a matter of moments. They had No. 1 Rice down 19 on Saturday, only to lose in overtime. Still, led by the forward tandem of Ryan Rhoomes and Dwayne, Cardozo will be a tough out this postseason.

Next: @ Flushing (Feb. 2, 5 p.m.)

New: Cardozo (12-7)

Dropped out: Thomas Jefferson (14-7)

On the bubble: Curtis (20-4), McKee/Staten Island Tech (20-5), Thomas Jefferson (14-7), Transit Tech (14-6), Wadleigh (13-6), Holy Cross (13-6), Mount St. Michael (15-3)

zbraziller@nypost.com

dbutler@nypost.com