At long last, the borough playoffs are here.
Over the next week, a lot will be decided: from seeds for the citywide playoffs to possibly a major shakeup in our top 10. Not that these past few days haven’t seen many changes. In fact, we have a new No. 1 as Lincoln takes over after topping Boys & Girls, 61-56 last week, and Forest Hills breaks into our rankings, replacing Eagle Academy.
It’s all here in our last PSAL boys basketball top 10 of the regular season:
1. Lincoln (20-2) (Last week: 1)
It says a lot about Kimari Murphy’s ability and preparation that he could return after a month away with a broken pinky toe and put out 14 points, seven rebounds and four blocked shots against Boys & Girls. If there is any debate over who the best all-around big man in the city is, there shouldn’t be.
Next: Grand Street Campus, Brooklyn borough quarterfinals (Feb. 8, 5 p.m.)
2. Boys & Girls (19-5) (2)
The Kangaroos may be without Rutgers-bound guard Mike Taylor for academic reasons, but there are plenty of coaches that would love to have their roster of versatile playmakers. Senior point guard Antione Slaughter has played far bigger than his 5-foot-7 frame in Taylor’s absence — look for that to continue this week.
Next: Acorn, Brooklyn borough quarterfinals (Feb. 8, 5 p.m.)
3. Wings Academy (19-2) (4)
High-school teams often take their cues from seniors, and it seems that’s been the case for Wings. Point guard Deonte Houston and power forward Amdy Fall entered the year with no scholarship offers and have played with a chip on their shoulders as a result. Their teammates, in response, have as well and the result’s been a perfect league season and a high seed in the upcoming PSAL Class AA playoffs.
Next: South Bronx, Bronx borough quarterfinals (Feb. 8, 5:30 p.m.)
4. Cardozo (22-1) (4)
We’ve never known so little about a 22-1 team as we do about these Judges. Sure, they went undefeated in Queens AA, but that was a down year, and their non-league schedule wasn’t exactly paved with roadblocks. Still, Cardozo is talented and experienced — the Queens playoffs will be an interesting test, though the real challenge won’t come for a few weeks when the citywide playoffs begin in earnest.
Next: HS For Construction, Queens borough quarterfinals (Feb. 8, 5 p.m.)
5. Wadleigh (20-5) (9)
The Tigers finished the regular season on a down note, dropping a 70-58 decision to Catholic power Xaverian, but 20-5 and another Manhattan AA regular-season crown is nothing to scoff at. Neither is a fifth straight Manhattan borough crown, which seems like a foregone conclusion.
Next: A.P. Randolph, Manhattan borough quarterfinals (Feb. 8, 5 p.m.)
6. Thomas Jefferson (12-11) (7)
Would it surprise anyone to see the Orange Wave fall to Midwood on Tuesday in the opening round of the Brooklyn borough playoffs or win the whole thing? Not us; that’s how maddeningly inconsistent Jefferson is. It takes one step forward and two steps back. We’ll see if that changes during the postseason. There is certainly no shortage of talent in the East New York, Brooklyn club.
Next: No. 7 Midwood, Brooklyn borough quarterfinals (Feb. 8, 5 p.m.)
7. Midwood (23-2) (8)
The Hornets have left little doubt they will be the favorites in the upcoming PSAL Class A playoffs by winning Brooklyn A South, one of the best ‘A’ divisions in the city, and knocking off Bronx A East winner Columbus recently. Tuesday is more about pride for Midwood and its star Bryan Smith, proving it can hang with its borough’s big boys. Of all the opening-round borough matchups, that is the most interesting.
Next: @ No. 6 Thomas Jefferson, Brooklyn borough quarterfinals (Feb. 8. 5 p.m.)
8. South Shore (14-10) (9)
Robeson knocked off South Shore the first time the two teams met, but that felt like decades ago for the talented Vikings, before they went on a tear and began to mature. Outside of a disappointing loss to Forest Hills, coach Mike Beckles’ club has played consistent basketball for over a month now. Eagles star Darrel Lucky may be the best player on the court on Tuesday, but the next three are all on South Shore – Terrence Samuel, Shamiek Sheppard and Danny Thompson.
Next: @ Robeson, Brooklyn borough quarterfinals (Feb. 8. 5 p.m.)
9. Curtis (21-6) (10)
Typical of coach Rich Buckheit’s teams, the Warriors are getter better the deeper into the season we get. Wednesday will be its greatest test: A semifinal meeting with rival McKee/Staten Island Tech, which recently got back standout shooting guard Josh Good from academic ineligibility. It’s only the semifinals of the Staten Island High School league playoffs, but will have the feel of a championship game.
Next: McKee/Staten Island Tech, SIHSL semifinals (Feb. 9, TBA)
10. Forest Hills (13-9) (NR)
The Rangers aren’t often pretty, but lately they sure have been effective. Forest Hills won seven of its last eight league games to finish second in Queens AA and may be the toughest team in the soft borough. Senior forward Jose Torres, who averaged 13 points and 10 rebounds during the regular season, is the best big man nobody talks about.
Next: Jamaica, Queens borough quarterfinals (Feb. 8, 7 p.m.)
New: Forest Hills (13-9)
Dropped out: Eagle Academy (18-5)
On the bubble: Acorn (17-6), Columbus, Eagle Academy (18-5), Long Island City, McKee/Staten Island Tech (15-8) and Robeson (12-11)