By Dylan ButlerFiveborosports.com
There was little movement in the weekly CHSAA boys’ basketball rankings,
except, of course where it mattered most. Rice met Christ the King in the 82nd
annual CHSAA Class AA intersectional title game and, more importantly (ok, we
kid), for the right to end the year as the No. 1 ranked team in the CHSAA.
Rice captured the crown, cut down the nets and is No. 1 in the final
FiveBoroSports.com weekly Catholic boys’ basketball poll. Not bad for a
Sunday.
1. Rice (23-3) (Last week: 2)
The Raiders had the most talent, played the hardest throughout the season and
their best player, Durand Scott, picked the Class AA intersectional title game
to play his best game of the season. Rice coach Mo Hicks became the first CHSAA
coach to win six Class AA titles and at the moment should be considered the
favorite to repeat.
Why, you ask? The Raiders swept all three city championships, also winning the
freshman and junior varsity titles. It’s the first time a CHSAA did that
since, well, Rice did it in 1998. Three starters should return, as well. It’s
a nice luxury for Hicks to have.
Next: Class AA state Federation semifinals vs. PSAL champion, March 28 @ Glens
Falls Civic Center
2. Christ the King (25-4) (1)
As they sat in the locker room at Rose Hill Gymnasium Sunday afternoon, the
players on the Christ the King basketball team were crushed by a difficult 67-58
loss to Rice, but it took them little time to look at the bigger picture.
A season that started with a major question mark with Joe Arbitello replacing
Bob Oliva as coach ended with a fourth straight trip to the Class AA title game.
In between the Royals won the Bojangles High School Basketball Shootout and the
Brooklyn/Queens Diocesan title. Some transition year.
Sean Johnson and Marion Smith graduate, but everyone else is back. The Christ
the King junior varsity team advanced to the final and the freshmen team was led
by Omar Calhoun, who set a school record by scoring 44 points against Xaverian.
Next: Season over
3. Bishop Loughlin (16-11) (3)
The Lions advanced to the Class AA semifinals, but for a third time this
season, lost to rival Christ the King. Jayvaughn Pinkston scored a game-high 30
points, but took one too many outside shots against the Royals. The 6-foot-6
junior man-child should be back and will once again dominate next season.
Loughlin also returns Branden Frazier and Rasi Jenkins.
Next: Season over
4. St. Raymond’s (16-11) (4)
Tyreak Johnson graduates, but there’s reason to be optimistic for next season
with solid sophomores Sidiki Johnson, Jose Rodriguez and Joey DeLaRosa joining
juniors Jatone Pierce-Bias, Harold McBride and Steve Whittingham as well as
freshman Nkeruwem Okoro.
Next: Season over
5. Bishop Ford (21-6) (5)
Chaz Williams will go down as one of the greatest players in Bishop Ford
history. He’ll be sorely missed in Brooklyn as he takes his game to Hofstra
University. The Falcons, though, should again be a Class A powerhouse with
sharpshooter Matt Hall and sophomore forward Kamari Murphy back.
Next: Season over
6. All Hallows (12-11) (9)
The Gaels nearly pulled off one of the greatest upsets in the history of the
Class AA intersectional tournament, leading Rice by nine in the opening moments
of the fourth quarter. The Raiders, of course, rallied and ended up winning the
intersectional title. As for All Hallows, John Carey’s team earned citywide
respect and should have a solid grup next year, led by Manhattan-bound junior
guard Michael Alvarado and forwards Geoffrey Tolentino, Omar Kellman, Tevin
Williams and Barbarcar Bah.
Next: Season over
7. Xaverian (14-14) (5)
Four seniors graduate, including the team’s leader in Rasheem King, but
Justin Exum, who made great strides during the regular season, should be back.
Sharpshooter Brian Bernardi will make the jump from the freshman level and
there’s no doubt Alesi will again have his team competing.
Next: Season over
8. Archbishop Molloy (15-11) (7)
When Molloy lost to Rice in the quarterfinals, it wasn’t just Russ Smith’s
final high-school game. Sharpshooter Ryan Dillon and forwards Lebrandon Smith
and Jin Hong also graduate. That leaves junior guard Ernest Rouse as the lone
returning starter. Junior Duke Stanojevic can shoot the ball and gained some
valuable confidence with added minutes in the postseason.
Next: Season over
9. Holy Cross (12-15) (8)
Joe Monahan did a great job leading the team and Eric Klingsberg was a
wonderful scorer. Don’t expect Holy Cross to be down too long. Evan Conti and
Marcus Hopper are both sophomores and the Knights were the top-seeded team on
the freshman level before losing in the semifinals.
Next: Season over
10. Mount St. Michael (20-7) (10)
Will Williams is one of the most underrated guards in the city. He did a great
job of running the Mountaineers offense and played lockdown defense. While he
and fellow guard Nigel Mitchell graduate, everyone else is back. That includes
Peter Aguilar, one of the top shooters in the ‘A’ division.
Next: Season over
New: None
Dropped: None
On the bubble: Monsignor McClancy (19-7) and Monsignor Scanlan (8-16)
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