We knew the PSAL would be topsy-turvy, but even this is a little bit much.
Two weeks into the regular season, the bottom half of our top 10 is hardly recognizable. Eighth-ranked Eagle Academy moves into this space, replacing struggling South Shore, while Robeson falls to No. 10 after losses to Boys & Girls and Forest Hills. Bayside moves all the way up to six followed by red-hot Wadleigh.
Got all that? If not, don’t worry. It’s all below in our PSAL boys basketball rankings.
1. Boys & Girls (5-0) (Last week: 1)
The Kangaroos have proven to be deserving of their No. 17 ranking in USA Today’s Super 25 poll. Boys & Girls has yet to win by less than 10 points, which is impressive considering its tough early-season schedule. The High’s biggest test to date comes Thursday as nemesis Lincoln pays a visit to Bed Stuy. The gym figures to be packed for the first of the two yearly showdowns.
Next: @ Transit Tech (Dec. 14, 5 p.m.)
2. Lincoln (4-0) (2)
The most impressive aspect of Lincoln’s 76-55 blowout of Jefferson was the variety in which the Railsplitters scored. Shaquille Stokes lit it up from the perimeter, Isaiah Whitehead and Shaquille David did it inside and out, and Kamari Murphy, Michael White and Jordan Dickerson created havoc in the paint. Dwayne (Tiny) Morton’s team is versatile, which makes them scary.
Next: Robeson (Dec. 14, 5 p.m.)
3. Thomas Jefferson (3-2) (3)
When Lawrence (Bud) Pollard said his team was the “fifth-best” team in Brooklyn and “can’t beat good teams,” he was obviously letting frustration get the better of him. Jefferson is loaded and just got back sharpshooter Thaddeus Hall. But the Orange Wave has struggled in showdowns with defending state champion Christ the King and Lincoln. Jefferson needs a big win in the worst way and will get that chance soon as it takes on Catholic power St. Raymond on Dec. 23 before going to Binghamton for the STOP-DWI Holiday Classic.
Next: @ Grady (Dec. 14, 5 p.m.)
4. Wings Academy (5-0) (4)
It didn’t take very long for point guard Deonte Houston to get in the swing of things. In just his second game, he had 24 points and nine assists to lead Wings to a 75-36 thrashing of Truman. One of the top unsigned guards in the city, his return makes everyone’s life easier on Wings and turns them into a legitimate title contender.
Next: No. 8 Eagle Academy (Dec. 16, 5:30 p.m.)
5. Cardozo (2-0) (5)
The young and inexperienced Judges get their first test tomorrow in Cambria Heights against a confident Campus Magnet club coming off its upset of Forest Hills last week. Ron Naclerio thinks this is his best defensive team in several years. We’ll see how well they handle Bulldogs star forward Jordan Parks, a Division I prospect.
Next: @ Campus Magnet (Dec. 14, 5 p.m.)
6. Bayside (7-0) (7)
Are the Commodores for real? We will probably have to wait another week to get the answer, though non-league wins over Transit Tech and Wadleigh, not to mention a league victory over Campus Magnet, tells us they are. The first few weeks of the season, those wins came in the final seconds, but now Bayside, led by the guard tandem of Austin Williams and William Dobie and forward Uzonna Akazi, aren’t relying on dramatic finishes nearly as much. Next Tuesday’s visit to borough juggernaut Cardozo will say a lot.
Next: Thomas Edison (Dec. 14, 5 p.m.)
7. Wadleigh (7-2) (10)
Give coach Mike Crump and his players credit for bouncing back from some early-season adversity. After a last-second loss to Bayside and getting handled by Wings Academy, the Tigers have won five straight. That includes a blowout of rival Thurgood Marshall Academy and an important 11-point win over struggling Brooklyn power South Shore. We laughed when Crump suggested senior guard Trivante Bloodman could lead the PSAL in scoring, but the tough-as-nails upperclassman is averaging 23 points per game.
Next: @ Manhattan Center (Dec. 14, 5 p.m.)
8. Eagle Academy (5-1) (NR)
The Eagles’ lack of backcourt depth was exposed in a rough season-opening loss to South Shore, but the Bronx school has started off league play with an impressive 5-0 mark that included a road win over Kennedy. The forward duo of Donte Adams and Stedman Allen is a load to deal with inside and out.
Next: Gompers (Dec. 14, 5 p.m.)
9. John F. Kennedy (2-1) (6)
The Knights were eight minutes away from an 0-2 league start at home, before a 19-8 fourth quarter enabled Kennedy to hold off Gompers and avoid a disastrous start. Juniors Muhammed Ahmed and David Hardy came up big down the stretch and will need to continue that stellar play moving forward.
Next: @ Truman (Dec. 14, 5 p.m.)
10. Robeson (5-3) (8)
The week started so promisingly, with a one-point win over South Shore, but ended in such disappointing fashion with a 32-point loss to top-ranked Boys & Girls and five-point setback to Forest Hills. Robeson has yet to receive enough production from players other than Darrell Lucky, which is a recipe for danger in Brooklyn AA.
Next: @ No. 2 Lincoln (Dec. 14, 5 p.m.)
New: Eagle Academy (5-1)
Dropped out: South Shore (1-5)
On the bubble: Campus Magnet (3-2), Curtis (5-2), Gompers (3-3), Forest Hills (3-3), McKee/Staten Island Tech (5-4) and South Shore (1-5)