Wings Academy has forced our hand.
The Bronx dynamo has played so well, dominating in its borough and competing well against top competition out of it, they have finally punctured our all-Brooklyn top four at No. 4.
South Shore moves back a spot after two straight losses while Eagle Academy moves in following a big week of wins over John F. Kennedy and Wadleigh. For all that and so much more, read below:
1. Lincoln (15-2) (Last week: 1)
Isaiah Whitehead wasn’t flawless Saturday afternoon against Boys & Girls. He was nevertheless at his best when it mattered most, a trend we’ve noticed in the sensational sophomore in big games. He scored 21 points, nine in the fourth quarter, and added six rebounds, six assists and three blocked shots as Lincoln topped Boys High, 74-64, to create a two-game lead in Brooklyn AA.
Next: Robert Vaux (Pa.), Big Apple Basketball High School Invitational @ Baruch College (Jan. 16, 5:30 p.m.)
2. Boys & Girls (12-2) (2)
The Kangaroos responded to Saturday’s loss in Coney Island with a 70-59 victory over Curtis in the Frank N. Mickens Memorial Classic. Boys High was right with Lincoln at halftime, tied at 31, but struggled in the second half at both ends of the floor. The next showdown, Feb. 2 in Bed Stuy, will likely be different.
Next: Grady (Jan. 17, 5 p.m.)
3. Thomas Jefferson (12-5) (3)
The Orange Wave is 3-0 since senior standout Thaddeus Hall made his return from a back injury, including an impressive 64-60 victory over South Shore last Thursday. Tied with Boys & Girls for second place in Brooklyn AA, Jefferson visits Lincoln Tuesday with a chance to move closer to the first place Railsplitters.
Next: @ No. 1 Lincoln (Jan. 17, 5 p.m.)
4. Wings Academy (16-2) (5)
You can’t say Justin Jenkins is under-recruited any more. The senior now has scholarship offers from St. Peter’s College, Fairfield and LIU, along with interest from Marist, Siena, Manhattan and Hofstra. It’s all well-earned – the talented combo guard has Wings dominating Bronx AA and has become an electric playmaker, as much a scorer as a distributor.
Next: @ John F. Kennedy (Jan. 17, 5 p.m.)
5. South Shore (12-6) (4)
South Shore has dropped two straight, but the losses couldn’t be more different. The Vikings struggled mightily in Thursday’s loss to Jefferson and nearly upset defending New York State Federation Class AA champion Mount Vernon Saturday in the Big Apple Basketball High School Invitational. It was just the return of Shamiek Sheppard – the Brooklyn school played at a high level for 32 minutes — giving the high-powered Knights fits.
Next: George Westinghouse (Jan. 17, 5 p.m.)
6. Cardozo (11-3) (6)
Has there ever been a tougher few days for Ron Naclerio and Cardozo? First, he loses national junior prospect Jermaine Lawrence – he transferred to Pope John XXIII in Sparta, N.J., on Thursday – then the Judges dropped a heartbreaker Saturday to New London (Conn.) and Providence-bound dynamo Kris Dunn. Up next is Mount Vernon. The beat goes on for Naclerio and Co.
Next: Mount Vernon, Big Apple Basketball High School Invitational @ Baruch College (Jan. 16, 3:45 p.m.)
7. Eagle Academy (16-1) (NR)
With wins over Curtis, Kennedy, Gompers and Wadleigh, the Eagles have earned this lofty spot in our rankings. Eagle has a chance to avenge its lone loss – to Bronx AA-leading Wings Academy, which cruised to a 98-66 rout on Dec. 20 – Thursday at home. A share of the division lead will be on the line for Jalen Chapman, Najee Senior and friends.
Next: @ Lehman (Jan. 17, 5 p.m.
8. Wadleigh (13-4) (7)
We don’t blame Wadleigh for Friday’s loss to Eagle Academy, we blame Manhattan hoops. The Tigers just don’t get challenged in-borough – so many of their wins are lopsided – and as a result they’re not put in a tough position often outside of non-league contests. In the long run, the loss should help Wadleigh.
Next: @ Thurgood Marshall Academy (Jan. 17, 5 p.m.)
9. Curtis (13-3) (8)
Hassan Martin’s absence loomed large this weekend as Curtis fought hard but fell to top Brooklyn foes Bishop Loughlin and Boys & Girls in non-league tilts. The ultra-talented junior forward, who is out for the year with a torn finger tendon, would’ve definitely made the difference in Friday’s two-point loss to Loughlin and may have done the same against the Kangaroos.
Next: Tottenville (Jan. 16, 1 p.m.)
10. Transit Tech (8-11)
Say this for the Express: They will be battle-tested by the time the playoffs begin. As if Brooklyn AA wasn’t enough, Transit Tech faced CHSAA Class AA power Xaverian on Sunday and fell, 72-57. Despite Transit’s three-game losing streak, Richard Williams has played very well of late, scoring 24 points in Thursday’s near upset of top-ranked Lincoln.
Next: @ Robeson (Jan. 17, 5 p.m.)
New: Eagle Academy (16-1)
Dropped out: John F. Kennedy (11-5)
On the bubble: Bayside (12-4), John F. Kennedy (11-5), Robeson (6-12), McKee/Staten Island Tech (13-6) and Brooklyn Collegiate (16-1)