Nobody wants the No. 1 spot – at least that’s the vibe we’re getting.
For the third straight week, we have a new No. 1 as Boys & Girls ascends to that glorified position after toppling Cardinal Hayes, 63-61, on Saturday.
Lincoln follows Hayes at No. 3, then Brooklyn AA rival Thomas Jefferson and Christ the King. For the entire rundown, scroll below:
1. Boys @ Girls (17-3) (Last week: 3)
Boys High is two wins into a brutal seven-game stretch that ends Sunday in Atlantic City, N.J., against Math, Civics and Science (Pa.) in the Battle by the Bay. The Kangaroos started the treacherous nine days with an overtime win over South Shore and impressive road victory at CHSAA Class AA favorite Cardinal Hayes. It doesn’t get an easier for coach Ruth Lovelace’s club as it visits Thomas Jefferson on Tuesday and hosts arch rival Lincoln on Thursday. The High will certainly be battle-tested, that’s for sure.
Next: @ No. 3 Thomas Jefferson (Jan. 31, 5 p.m.)
2. Cardinal Hayes (16-2) (1)
Saturday’s 63-61 loss to Boys & Girls is nothing to be ashamed of. The Kangaroos also beat Christ the King on the road and could very well three-peat as PSAL Class AA city champions. Plus, Hayes has a big week ahead – Xaverian on Tuesday, Archbishop Stepinac on Friday and Christ the King on Saturday – to get back on track.
Next: Xaverian (Jan. 31, 4:15 p.m.)
3. Lincoln (16-4) (2)
Lost in all the hubbub of Lincoln coach Dwayne (Tiny) Morton’s rant was the actual game. Sure, the Railsplitters fell, 58-50, to Hudson Catholic (N.J.), but they played poorly and still had a chance to topple one of New Jersey’s best, a team with up to five Division I prospects. That goes to show you how good Lincoln is. Look for a big bounce-back week for the the Coney Island dynamo.
Next: @ No. 4 South Shore (Jan. 31, 5 p.m.)
4. Thomas Jefferson (14-5) (4)
The Orange Wave were at the top of their game, winners of five straight 10 days ago. Now? Well, Jefferson hasn’t lost since, but it hasn’t played either. You have to wonder if rust will be a problem Tuesday against Boys High, a showdown with Brooklyn AA division title implications at stake.
Next: No. 1 Boys & Girls (Jan. 31, 5 p.m.)
5. Christ the King (13-6) (5)
Everywhere Omar Calhoun and Christ the King go, the UConn-bound senior hears how overrated he is. And at each gym, he lights up the opponent like a Christmas tree. We have a good idea for the folks at St. Raymond. Be nice to Calhoun, tell him how good he is. That may work better.
Next: @ No. 8 St. Raymond (Feb. 3, 7:15 p.m.)
6. South Shore (16-7) (7)
Shamiek Sheppard continued his all-city caliber season, scoring 19 points in a big-time victory over nationally ranked Neumann Goretti of Philadelphia on Sunday. While South Shore is virtually locked into finishing fourth in Brooklyn AA, it remains a legitimate city title contender – three of its four league losses were all there for the taking.
Next: No. 2 Lincoln (Jan. 31, 5 p.m.)
7. Wings Academy (21-2) (6)
Justin Jenkins continued his dream senior season on Sunday, scoring 21 points and dishing out six assists to lead Wings Academy to a gritty, 52-50 win over Curtis in the PSAL Steve Simms Memorial AA Showcase at York College. It was typical Jenkins – clutch baskets, unselfish play and a win.
Next: West 50th Street Campus (Feb. 2, 6:30 p.m.)
8. St. Raymond (11-7) (8)
It’s revenge week for the Ravens. First up is Mount St. Michael, which shocked St. Raymond Jan. 10. Then it’s nemesis Christ the King Friday night at the Ravens Nest. The Royals, if you remember, ends St. Ray’s season in the intersectional semifinals last March.
Next: No. 10 Mount St. Michael (Jan. 31, 7:15 p.m.)
9. Holy Cross (16-3) (9)
Paul Gilvary is on the short list for Coach of the Year contenders. The Holy Cross head man has gotten the most out of his talent, leading the Knights to a 16-3 mark despite the absence of Marquise Moore much of the year. Who would’ve guessed Cross would be tied with two-time CHSAA Class AA city champion Christ the King in Brooklyn/Queens at this point?
Next: @ St. Francis Prep (Feb. 3, 7:30 p.m.)
10. Mount St. Michael (15-3) (10)
No matter what happens from here on out, this has been a wildly successful season for Mount St. Michael, which has surpassed expectations. The Mountaineers haven’t just competed in their first season in CHSAA Class AA, they’ve thrived. Nobody expected Mount to be near the top of the Archdiocese, just two games behind Cardinal Hayes.
Next: @ No. 8 St. Raymond (Jan. 31, 7:15 p.m.)
New: None
Dropped out: None
On the bubble: Xaverian (12-6), Bishop Loughlin (8-8), Cardozo (15-4), Eagle Academy (20-2), Wadleigh (16-5) and Curtis (18-4)