All but three of our top 10 were in action this week and only two teams – No. 3 Rice and No. 6 Bishop Loughlin – have yet to play a game this year. So our rankings look eerily similar to last week, with the exception of Cardinal Hayes dropping out after a 25-point home loss to No. 5 Holy Cross and Mount St. Michael moving in at No. 10.
Here’s this week’s rankings.
1. Christ the King (1-0) (Last week: 1)
No Corey Edwards? No problem. At least that was the case Saturday in a season-opening win against PSAL powerhouse Thomas Jefferson to cap the Christ the King Invitational. Omar Calhoun didn’t shoot well, but he still finished with a game-high 23 points, going 12-of-12 from the foul line, T.J. Curry, the unsung hero of last year’s state title run, was sold at the point and Isaiah Lewis looked like a seasoned veteran, not a 15-year-old making his varsity debut.
Next: All Hallows (Dec. 14, 4:30 p.m.)
2. St. Raymond’s (0-1) (2)
The Ravens opened the season with an overtime loss against a stacked and veteran Long Island Lutheran squad at the Christ the King Invitational Saturday, but there’s plenty of positives to draw from the defeat. First, Daniel Dingle was a beast with 22 points and nine rebounds, Larry Graves hit some big shots and sophomore Shane Rector added 12, showcasing some explosive moves to the basket.
Next: Good Counsel (Md.) @ Gonzaga DC Classic (Dec. 10, 8:30 p.m.)
3. Rice (0-0) (3)
There’s plenty of questions surrounding the post-Mo Hicks Rice and Jermanie Sanders and Co. will have a chance to prove that the Raiders are still a contender when they open the league campaign Tuesday afternoon at All Hallows. The Gaels are young, but hungry.
Next: @ All Hallows (Dec. 7, 4 p.m.)
4. Xaverian (1-0) (4)
After beating Thomas Edison by 24 points on Thanksgiving Eve, the Clippers went back to work and had three scrimmages last week. There’s one more on tap Wednesday at Colts Neck (N.J.) before the regular season resumes Sunday against Holy Trinity (L.I.).
Next: Holy Trinity @ Oceanside Christopher Christmas Classic (Dec. 12, 5:15 p.m.)
5. Holy Cross (1-0) (5)
Despite being down two starters and a key reserve, Holy Cross shot its way to an impressive 81-56 season-opening win at Cardinal Hayes Friday night. Evan Conti struggled from outside, but still finished with a game-high 21 points and added 12 rebounds and six assists. Marquise Moore had 17 and Anthony Libroia enjoyed an impressive varsity debut, scoring 14 points, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range.
Next: Holy Trinity (Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m.)
6. Bishop Loughlin (0-0) (6)
The other CHSAA team yet to play a regular season game, young Bishop Loughlin takes the court for real Thursday when the Lions compete in the A-Rod Basketball Classic in Miami for a second consecutive year.
Next: TBA @ A-Rod Basketball Classic (Dec. 9-11)
7. Archbishop Stepinac (2-0) (7)
After going to Staten Island and blowing out Monsignor Farrell last Sunday, Archbishop Stepinac downed Blessed Sacrament by 21 on Friday. Led by Conroy Baltimore and James Chillemi, the defending CHSAA Class A intersectional champions look every bit the favorite to repeat.
Next: Xavier (Dec. 8, 4:30 p.m.)
8. Archbishop Molloy (1-0) (9)
A year ago, St. Joseph by the Sea took its veteran team of guards to Jack Curran Gymnasium and left with an upset victory. It’s a win that helped the Vikings late in the season. Now it’s Molloy, led by Chris Garcia, Chris Dorgler, Mark Parisi and George Davis, that has the veterans and we think last year’s loss is in the back of their mind.
Next: St. Joseph by the Sea (Dec. 7, 4:30 p.m.)
9. St. Francis Prep (2-0) (10)
The Terriers have easily dispatched of a pair of PSAL squads, routing neighboring Francis Lewis and then crushing Richmond Hill. Glyne Straker has led St. Francis Prep in scoring both times and he’ll need to be the offensive leader moving forward.
Next: @ St. Anthony’s (LI) (Dec. 8, 7 p.m.)
10. Mount St. Michael (1-0) (NR)
The Mount earned a measure of revenge for last year’s stunning Class A intersectional quarterfinals loss at home by thrashing St. Joseph by the Sea, 74-36, in its opener Saturday. Peter Aguilar picked up where he left off last year, scoring a game-high 28 points. Clarence White had 14 points and Gill added 13 points and seven steals for the Mountaineers.
Next: @ Monsignor McClancy (Dec. 7, 4 p.m.)
New: Mount St. Michael (1-0)
Dropped out: Cardinal Hayes (0-1)
On the bubble: All Hallows (1-0), Cardinal Hayes (0-1) and Xavier (1-0)