In three weeks, Long Island City went from on the bubble to No. 1 — that’s how unpredictable these rankings can be. Of course, the Bulldogs have been hot lately, nearly upsetting Cardozo to win the Queens borough title Saturday at York College.
The top spot is one of many changes in our NYC non-‘AA’ boys basketball rankings. To see where everyone else stands, read below:
1. Long Island City (23-3) (Last week: 2)
A stop here, a made shot there, and Long Island City may be the Queens champions. Even in defeat, the Bulldogs did the PSAL’s Class A division proud, giving three-time borough champion Cardozo all it wanted in a 69-58 loss. That was two days after LIC shocked Bayside, the top seed in the tournament which entered play with 11 straight wins.
Next: TBA, PSAL Class A playoffs (TBA)
2. Mott Haven (22-5) (1)
After upsetting Bronx AA foe Lehman to start the borough playoffs, Wings Academy brought Mott Haven down to earth with a 22-point rout in the semifinals. The Mavericks still received the top seed in the PSAL Class A playoffs, and rightfully so after an impressive regular season in Bronx A East for coach Doug Porter’s entertaining and explosive club.
Next: TBA, PSAL Class A playoffs (TBA)
3. Collegiate (18-2) (3)
It’s now eight wins and counting for the streaking Dutchmen, who can basically sew up the Ivy Prep League crown with a win at rival Poly Prep on Monday. Standout seniors Connor Huff and Ryan Frankel are taking turns carrying Collegiate.
Next: @ No. 7 Poly Prep (Feb. 13, 5 p.m.)
4. Bedford Academy (19-4) (2)
The Panthers were a controversial pick by the PSAL in the Brooklyn borough playoffs since they failed to win their division. Bedford struggled against two-time PSAL Class AA champion Boys & Girls in the quarterfinals, falling 87-49.
Next: TBA, PSAL Class A playoffs (TBA)
5. Nazareth (15-6) (6)
Last week had very little to do with basketball at Nazareth. On Wednesday morning, it was announced that the school would be closing after 49 years, causing an overflow of emotion among the faculty and students – it’ll be interesting to see how the team responds Tuesday against Cathedral Prep.
Next: Cathedral Prep (Feb. 14, 6 p.m.)
6. Brooklyn Collegiate (21-5) (9)
Jake Edwards didn’t call the Brooklyn borough quarterfinal loss to South Shore a moral victory, but the Brooklyn Collegiate coach was pleased with his team’s effort in a 58-44 setback. The Lions, seeded third in the PSAL Class A playoffs, are primed for a long March run.
Next: TBA, PSAL Class A playoffs (TBA)
7. Poly Prep (13-7) (5)
The Blue Devils responded well to last Monday’s loss to Collegiate, besting Horace Mann and Dalton to remain tied with Fieldston in second place in the Ivy Prep League. It was a big week for senior guard Anthony Reyes as he went over the 1,000-point plateau for his career and will need to continue his standout play if Poly is to knock off Collegiate on Monday.
Next: No. 3 Collegiate (Feb. 13, 5 p.m.)
8. Fieldston (17-4) (8)
Fieldston still has an outside shot to either win or share the Ivy Prep League crown. The suddenly hot Eagles have to beat Poly Prep on Wednesday in The Bronx for that to happen, which will be no easy task.
Next: No. 7 Poly Prep (Feb. 15, 4:15 p.m.)
9. St. Edmund Prep (16-6) (9)
Matt O’Neill had 22 points Friday night against Bishop Ford and St. Edmund clinched its second straight division title. It has been a tremendous – and somewhat unexpected – season for the Eagles, who have to be considered one of the top contenders to win a CHSAA Class A title in March.
Next: @ St. John’s Prep (Feb. 14, 4 p.m.)
10. Pathways (19-4) (NR)
Jordan Washington returned from ineligibility with a bang, leading Pathways to three straight wins this week. He showed little rust, posting 32 points and 20 rebounds in a big 62-56 win over August Martin for the defending PSAL Class B champions, who received the top seed in the upcoming playoffs and are favored to repeat.
New: Pathways (19-4)
Dropped out: Springfield Gardens (17-4)
On the bubble: Springfield Gardens (17-4), Moore Catholic (18-6), Regis (11-13), Xavier (9-8), Construction (17-7), Dalton (11-7), Riverdale (10-9), Evander Childs (16-4), WHEELS (17-2) and Hunter College HS (15-2)