Joe Arbitello is not going to be happy.
The Christ the King coach likes nothing less than to see his team atop our rankings. Unfortunately for him, after a dominant weekend which included wins over St. Raymond and Cardinal Hayes, his Royals are back on top. Really, we had no choice after Boys & Girls, our previous No. 1, fell to Thomas Jefferson, which comes in at No. 2 this week.
To see how the rest of our top 10 breaks down, read below:
1. Christ the King (15-6) (5)
The fans at St. Raymond didn’t listen to us – they booed Omar Calhoun – and paid for it as the UConn-bound senior dropped in 33 points in the Royals’ 74-64 victory Friday night. Calhoun was instrumental in CK’s big weekend, scoring 60 points in victories over Ray’s and Cardinal Hayes as the Queens school made a loud statement to the rest of the league it remains a heavy title favorite.
Next: St. Francis Prep (Nov. 7, 6 p.m.)
2. Thomas Jefferson (18-5) (4)
The Orange Wave feel they haven’t gotten the respect they deserve all year, but now that they’ve got it, how will Thaddeus Hall, Jaquan (Son Son) Lynch and Co. handle it? Jefferson is the top seed in the loaded Brooklyn borough playoffs and won’t be sneaking up on anyone anymore.
Next: Lafayette, Brooklyn borough quarterfinals (Feb. 7, 5 p.m.)
3. Boys & Girls (18-4) (1)
Wesley Myers has finally hit his stride, and it comes at a perfect time for the Kangaroos. With point guard Tyliek Kimbrough on the inactive list, Boys High was one scorer short. Myers, a junior combo guard, has emerged, scoring 25 points in an overtime loss to Thomas Jefferson and 18 points in a overtime win over Lincoln last week. The question with Myers is never talent – its confidence and aggressive ss. He had both last week.
Next: Bedford Academy, Brooklyn borough quarterfinals (Feb. 7, 5 p.m.)
4. Lincoln (16-6) (3)
Isaiah Whitehead’s severe left ankle sprain will keep him out a few weeks. Fortunately for Lincoln, it has played without the standout sophomore before, beating Jefferson and South Shore earlier in the year in fact. Actually, Ethan Telfair played his best basketball when Whitehead was out – look for the junior point guard to emerge in the boroughs.
Next: Global Studies, Brooklyn borough quarterfinals (Feb. 7, 5 p.m.)
5. Cardinal Hayes (18-3) (2)
When everyone was championing the Cardinals as the CHSAA Class AA city title favorite, Joe Lods knew better. His team hadn’t been tested while Christ the King was facing nationally ranked competition. His greatest fears were realized Saturday as Hayes crumbled late in a 68-52 loss to the two-time defending champion Royals. That doesn’t mean Hayes can win it all come March – it just has to handle adversity better next time it sees CK.
Next: Mount St. Michael (Nov. 7, 4:15 p.m.)
6. South Shore (17-7) (6)
The Vikings may have finished fourth in Brooklyn AA and only beat the top three of Jefferson, Boys High and Lincoln once in six tries, but that won’t matter if a week from now South Shore is the last team standing. While the Canarsie school isn’t favored to so, it more than has enough talent to accomplished the daunting task.
Next: Brooklyn Collegiate, Brooklyn borough quarterfinals (Feb. 7, 5 p.m.)
7. Wings Academy (22-2) (7)
If the opening round of the Bronx borough quarterfinals go as planned, Wings will meet Mott Haven, the explosive Bronx A East champion, in the semifinals. That would be some treat for fans of offense. The two talented teams have two speeds – fast and faster. It could be the rare high school contest where both squads reach the century mark.
Next: Adlai Stevenson, Bronx borough quarterfinals (Feb. 7, 5 p.m.)
8.
Holy Cross (18-3) (9)
Marquise Moore didn’t waste any time upon his return from a twice-injured toe injury, scoring 30 points in the Knights’ 70-55 win over rival St. Francis Prep. It was a huge confidence builder for Moore and Cross, who will need the senior guard at his best to knock off Christ the King on Friday night in Middle Village, a win that would clinch the Brooklyn/Queens regular season crown.
Next: @ No. 1 Christ the King (Nov. 10, 6 p.m.)
9.
St. Raymond (12-8) (8)
The Ravens are still searching for that marquee league victory after falling to Christ the King, 74-64, Friday night in The Bronx. They will get at least one more shot at Cardinal Hayes, if not two including the Archdiocesan playoffs, but at this point St. Raymond is a contender, not a favorite, to win the city title. Daniel Dingle has been brilliant; he just hasn’t received nearly enough help.
Next: @ All Hallows (Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m.)
10. Xaverian (14-7) (NR)
The Clippers had a nice bounce-back weekend, topping Bishop Loughlin and All Hallows after dropping heartbreakers to Holy Cross and Cardinal Hayes. SMU-bound Brian Bernard led the charge, scoring 43 combined points in the two wins. The senior sharpshooter has never made it to St. John’s University – site of the CHSAA Class AA intersectional semifinals – and is desperate to do so this March.
Next: @ Bishop Loughlin (Feb. 10, 7 p.m.)
New: Xaverian (14-7)
Dropped out: Mount St. Michael (15-5)
On the bubble: Mount St. Michael (15-5), Eagle Academy (21-2), Wadleigh (18-5), Bishop Loughlin (9-9), Bayside (18-4) and Curtis (21-4)