No. 1 losing to No. 1.
Well, that's what happened Sunday afternoon in the Philly Public League championship game at Temple University's Liacouras Center.
And even though No. 1 Vaux dropped a 67-66 verdict to No. 1 Imhotep Charter (Class AAA) -- despite 45 points from star senior guard Rysheed Jordan -- Jamie Ross' Cougars remained plugged in at No. 1.
For now.
Plus, Vaux earlier in the week downed No. 9 Martin Luther King (Class AAAA ) in a Pub semi. Plus, Vaux earlier in the season hammered Imhotep Charter at IC in a Division A regular-season contest.
So, while things could change in the PIAA Class A tournament -- Vaux's next destination -- we're sticking with the north Philly school at No. 1.
For now.
Nothing else changed either.
Records are current through Feb. 24.
1. Vaux (19-8) -- last week: 1 -- While the NBA may have spent last weekend celebrating another Jordan's 50th birthday -- some dude named Mike -- all of hoops-happy Philly continues to trumpet the exploits of Vaux's unsigned 6-4 senior. And why not? Rysheed Jordan cranked out 28 points in Vaux's overtime victory over King (71-68) in the Pub semis, then drained 45 in the loss to Imhotep Charter at a locale (Temple) where he may be playing his college ball. Oh, by the way, Jordan's 45 broke the Pub championship game record set nearly 60 years ago by some dude named Wilt Chamberlain. Keep this up, kid, and someone's gonna put your name on a line of sneakers or something. Next stop for Jamie Ross' Cougars is the PIAA Class A playoffs in Philly on March 8, when Vaux squares off against 1-A's third seed.
2. Math, Civics & Sciences (23-2) -- last week: 2 -- Although Dan Jackson's Mighty Elephants haven't played since falling to Vaux on Feb. 16 in the Philly Public League's Class A final, they were in the news, however. Seems Malik Starkes was suspended permanently from the MC&S squad by District 12 czar Robert Coleman for his behavior during the late stages of the Elephants' 62-61 setback ... and afterward. Even without Starkes, Jackson & Co. will move into the PIAA Class A tournament on March 8, taking on District 1-A's runner-up somewhere in Philadelphia.
3. Lincoln Park (19-5) -- last week: 3 -- Mark Javens' potent Leopards certainly had their attack running smoothly last week, smashing Mapletown (95-37) and Wilkinsburg (99-58) in their first two WPIAL tournament outings while running their winning streak to eight games. Freshman Maverick Rowan dropped a combined 65 points in Lincoln Park's decisive victories -- 34 against Mapletown and 31 against Wilkinsburg -- while Elijah Minnie totaled 50 points and Ryan Skovranko 34. Up next for Javens' high-octane Leopards in Tuesday's WPIAL semis is a date with an athletic Clairton side.
4. Vincentian (23-1) -- last week: 4 -- Vincentian played just once last week -- in the WPIAL quarterfinals -- but George Yokitis' high-pitched Royals did everything but leave tire treads on Monessen's collective backsides in an impressive 81-42 victory. Ryan Wolf netted 23 points and Tony DiNardo added 21 for Vincentian, which stretched its winning streak to 12 games while setting up a Tuesday date with Section 2 playmate North Catholic in the WPIAL semis. Yokitis' Royals claimed both of the regular-season meetings in high-scoring fashion, winning 80-68 and 91-82.
5. Church Farm (19-6) -- last week: 5 -- Needing to rebound and reel in a result, Marc Turner's talented Griffins were successful on both counts on Friday night as Church Farm decked Plumstead Christian 61-43 in its District 1-A tournament opener. Larry Cermak posted 17 points and Tyler Ofray chipped in 11 for Turner's Griffins, who have captured the last two 1-A crowns. Up next for Church Farm in Tuesday's 1-A semis at suburban Philly's Cheltenham High School is a scrap with Phil-Mont Christian, a team Turner's Griffins grilled two weeks ago (57-18) in the Bicentennial League quarters.
6. Bishop Carroll (20-4) -- last week: 6 -- Cosie Aliquo's top-seeded Huskies played like top seeds in their District 6-A opener Thursday night, charging past Glendale 78-42. Scott Ranck and Brandon Martinazzi each bucketed 24 points for Carroll, while big man Marcus Lee tacked on 16. Thursday's impressive victory moved Aliquo's ballclub into tonight's 6-A semifinals at Hollidaysburg Senior High School, where the Huskies will meet Juniata Valley.
7. Johnsonburg (24-2) -- last week: 7 -- Seeded third in the District 9-A tournament, Bill Shuey's Rams took care of business in their first two outings, ousting Union-Rimersburg (63-21) and Elk County Catholic (57-52). Cameron Grumley and Mitchell Holmberg shared 29 points in Johnsonburg's round-of-16 rout, while Cole Peterson dropped in a team-high 21 three nights later as Shuey's outfit downed ECC for the fourth time this season. Johnsonburg also brought an end to Elk County Catholic's impressive string of 15 consecutive appearances in state play. Up next for the Rams is a date in Tuesday's semis at Clarion University's Tippin Gym against No. 8 Smethport.
8. Smethport (22-1) -- last week: 8 -- Awarded a bye into the District 9-A quarterfinals, Dan Zeigler's second-seeded Hubbers hooked up with North Tier counterpart Cameron County for the third time and came away with a 56-36 triumph. Zach Smith pocketed 23 in the 20-point victory -- Smethport's 21st consecutive success -- while Dylan Mott and Ryan Corbett chipped in 10 apiece as Zeigler's ballclub bounced into Tuesday's semis at Clarion University's Tippin Gym. Awaiting the Hubbers at Clarion will be No. 7 Johnsonburg, an outfit Smethport nipped 54-53 on Dec. 19 at home.
9. Ridgway (21-4) -- last week: 9 -- While Anthony Allegretto's fifth-seeded club encountered little resistance in its District 9-A opener against Oswayo Valley -- Ridgway claimed a 96-45 decision -- the Elkers needed every bit of energy to grind out a 48-43 win at A-C Valley in Friday's quarters. Jesse Reynolds tossed in a team-high 21 points against Oswayo Valley -- Robbie Byrd (17), Sam Roselli (16) and Tony Leithner (11) also cracked double figures -- then bagged 19 at A-C Valley three nights later. Up next in the back end of Tuesday's superb 9-A semifinal-round twinbill at Clarion University's Tippin Gym will be top-seeded North Clarion.
10. St. John Neumann (21-2) -- last week: 10 -- In neutral since closing out the regular season on Feb. 15 by handling CMVT, Paul Petcavage's Golden Knights will jump back into it in this week's District 4-A semifinals. While the time off may have benefited Neumann -- if starting forward Tyree Vidal's tender ankle healed in time to put him back in the lineup alongside prolific 6-5 junior Alize Johnson -- it also gave Petcavage & Co. an opportunity to work several new wrinkles into the game plan. Especially since the Knights will meet a dangerous Muncy side they've already bested twice.
OUR HONORABLE MENTIONS
While District 9-A's rugged quarterfinals ended the seasons of several honorable mentions -- A-C Valley, Clarion and Elk County Catholic are out and gone -- North Clarion (23-1) still remains. ... Sullivan County (21-2), Lourdes Regional (18-5) and Muncy (17-6) joined St. John Neumann in the 4-A semis after winning quarterfinal-round outings. ... Greenwood (20-3) will continue its quest for a second consecutive 3-A championship after holding Lancaster County Christian to one second-half point in Friday's quarters. Kent Houser's Wildcats play in one 3-A semi tonight -- Adam Harrison bagged 30 in Greenwood's 54-18 win over LCC -- while Lebanon Catholic (16-7) and New Hope Academy (17-4) meet in the other. ... Pius X (19-2), Mahanoy Area (19-5) and Marian Catholic (18-5) advanced to Tuesday night's 11-A semis. Mahanoy Area and Marian Catholic will slug it out for the third time in one contest. ... North Catholic (16-5) and Clairton (15-6) reached the WPIAL/7-A semifinals after surviving quarterfinal-round dustups with previous HMs Our Lady of Sacred Heart and Union Area, respectively. ... Bishop Guilfoyle (18-5) and Homer-Center (18-5) will collide in tonight's District 6-A semis. ... Shade (23-1) and Shanksville-Stonycreek (20-3) -- assuming both succeed in the semifinals -- could meet for a third time in the 5-A championship game. ... Sankofa Freedom (14-11) secured its first state tournament berth on Saturday with a victory over Strawberry Mansion in the 12-A third-place game. ... Delco Christian (18-7) and newcomer Gospel of Grace (12-8) will collide in Tuesday night's 1-A semifinals. ... And Kennedy Christian (15-6), which closed out the regular season with a loss to Youngstown's powerful Cardinal Mooney, will open 10-A play Tuesday night against VisionQuest.
MICHAEL BULLOCK: mbullock@pennlive.com
BULLOCK ON TWITTER: @thebullp_n