As we head into the last week of January, the 2015-16 Boys varsity basketball season is taking shape and the playoff picture is coming into focus. The most recent New York Sportswriters top 25 rankings were released yesterday, and there are many story lines, teams and players to follow.
Photo: QHST draws up a play at the Big Apple Invitational on Monday.
QHST and the PSAL Queens AA Division
Queens High School of Teaching handed top-ranked Cardozo its first loss last night on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by CJ Kelly. This came one day after Kelly was awarded MVP in QHST's 72-53 win over Friends (MD) on Monday. The win over Cardozo is likely to improve QHST's number 11 ranking, especially if they knock off Construction (ranked 5th) on Friday. As we have said before, the PSAL Queens AA Division is loaded this season, evidenced by Cardozo (1), Construction (5) and QHST (11) all being ranked in the top 25, and Campus Magnet being added as an Honorable Mention in the most recent rankings. QHST is peaking at the right time, but all three ranked teams (and perhaps Campus Magnet as well) are capable of making a deep run in the post-season.
PSAL Brooklyn AA Division
Similar to its Queens peer, the PSAL Brooklyn AA Division boasts three teams in the top 25: George Westinghouse (10), Paul Robeson (19) and Abraham Lincoln (21), with Thomas Jefferson earning an Honorable Mention. While few would have predicted this order, it shows the competitive balance in this league, which has been top-heavy in recent years with Lincoln and Thomas Jefferson typically occupying the top two spots. One team that is not ranked but could be a post-season threat is South Shore. While the Vikings are only 6-6 in league play, all six of their losses have come to the three ranked teams mentioned above and South Shore has impressive wins over Thomas Jefferson and Baldwin (ranked 18th) to their credit. Another interesting fact is that Thomas Jefferson is in first place in this league, yet the Orange Wave didn't crack the top 25. When you factor in Jefferson's strength of schedule (take Chino Hills, CA, for example), Jefferson is stronger than its ranking might otherwise suggest. This anomaly is surprising given that Jefferson has a top prospect in Shamorie Ponds.
PSAL A Division
John Bowne is ranked 2nd in New York State and is one of the few remaining undefeated teams in NYC at 14-0. PSAL A Division stalwart Frederick Douglass Academy lost its first game on Janauary 16th to Telecommunications Arts & Technology and dropped to number 14 in the New York State rankings.
PSAL B Division
Hats off to Marc Skelton and Fannie Lou Hamer. Their defense being the subject of one of our prior posts, Fannie Lou Hamer is now ranked number 2 in New York State and is 20-0 overall.
CHSAA NY AA Division
Without Ty Jerome, who is out for the season with a hip injury, Iona Prep has lost four straight and has dropped out of the rankings. Jerome's injury has an eerie similarity to that of his former teammate Matt Ryan (currently playing at Notre Dame), who missed most of his junior season at Iona Prep after undergoing hip surgery. Look for Cardinal Hayes (currently ranked 24th), behind Clive Allen and Baron Goodridge, and St. Raymond, behind Isaiah Washington and Sidney Wilson, to compete for the top spot in this division. Mark your calendar for their game at St. Raymond on February 12th. The regular-season title could be at stake.
CHSAA BQ AA Division
Archbishop Molloy (currently ranked 7th) and Bishop Loughlin (currently ranked 9th) occupy the top two spots in this highly competitive league. Isaac Grant, Khalid Moore, Moses Brown and Cole Anthony have all been solid for the Stanners so far. Grant is a consistent offensive threat whenever Molloy needs a basket and, given his skill level as a freshman, we would not be surprised if Anthony starts to draw comparisions to former Molloy standout point guards such as Kenny Smith and Kenny Anderson. While Molloy has a win over Loughlin, that came with point guard Markquis Nowell sidelined in the second half with an ankle injury. With Keith Williams, Jordan Thomas and Nowell, Loughlin looks capable of beating any team in New York City. Loughlin and Molloy will face each other again on February 2nd, this time in Brooklyn. Although Christ the King (currently ranked 14th) has already lost three league games (Iona Prep, Loughlin and Xaverian), Joe Arbitello's teams always seem to peak in February and March and we would not be surprised if this happens again this season, especially considering the numbers Jose Alvarado has been posting of late (including 25 points in last night's win over St. Francis Prep). Xaverian (currently ranked 23rd) is the fourth team from this league ranked in the top 25! Behind Zack Bruno and Nyontay Wisseh, the Clippers have won three straight (Christ the King, Iona Prep and Cardinal Hayes).
CHSAA A Division
Kennedy Catholic (currently ranked 6th) and Monsignor Scanlan (currently ranked 20th) are both undefeated in league play and will face off on Sunday at Scanlan. Kennedy and Scanlan boast two of the league's best players, Malachi de Sousa and George Pena, respectively. Another team to keep an eye on as the playoffs approach is Monsignor Farrell (currently ranked 18th), behind standout guard Nicholas Corbett.
CHSAA B Division
Salesian had a big win last week over LaSalle (currently ranked 23rd), and these teams will meet again on Friday with first place on the line. LaSalle is led by Bryce Council and Salesian is led by Alex Romans.