Having the chance to swap elbows with some of the nation’s top high school basketball teams was one of those mixed rides for the talented youngsters from Philadelphia’s Constitution High School.
Seems Rob Moore’s Generals spent part of last week going up and the other part going down. Even going down wasn’t all bad, however, since the Generals had the chance to leave Pennsylvania’s chill behind for the warmth of Las Vegas.
Through it all — the ups and the downs — Moore’s bunch maintained their status as PennLive’s top-ranked Class AA boys’ basketball team.
Splitting four games at the Tarkanian Classic, in a brutal 16-team bracket featuring some of the best teams the United States has to offer, Moore’s club opened with a victory over Pinnacle (Ariz.) and closed with a win over Valor (Colo.) Christian.
In between, Constitution tumbled to eventual champion Mater Dei (Cal.) and a Lone Peak (Utah) program that was ranked No. 1 for much of last season. That’s a number of quality opponents and certainly not enough to drop the Generals even one notch.
Despite their two losses.
Just one change this week, as preseason No. 9 West Middlesex has returned to the Class AA top 10 after claiming a pair of results and stretching its modest winning streak to three games. West Middlesex had opened with three straight losses.
Notre Dame-Green Pond, meanwhile, fell out of the top 10.
Short synopses of our top 10 appear below — PIAA district, overall record and record for the week are displayed in parentheses — as does a list of teams that merit watching as the 2013-14 campaign continues to play out.
1. Constitution (12, 5-2, 2-2) — previous ranking: 1 — With Raheem Liggins collecting 20 points and Ahmad Gilbert adding 10, Constitution opened Vegas by beating a Pinnacle side featuring Stanford recruit Dorian Pickens 58-45. Moore’s Generals were popped by Mater Dei 71-37 — Mater Dei featured Arizona recruit Stanley Johnson and 6-10 youngster M.J. Cage — and dropped a 62-50 decision to Lone Peak. Constitution closed out the Tarkanian by defeating Valor Christian 67-64, making the plane ride back to Philly much more palatable. Will get back at it on Friday night at Lower Merion, where the Generals will meet Milford Mill (Md.).
2. Beaver Falls (7, 6-0, 3-0) — previous ranking: 2 — Featuring plenty of balance in double-digit wins over Laurel, Riverside and Canon-McMillan, Doug Biega’s Tigers just keep motoring along. Javon Turner totaled 42 points in Beaver Falls’ first two wins — Turner bagged 23 against Laurel and 19 against Riverside — while Dan Stratton netted 25 in those two successes. Elijah Cottrill also had a productive night against Laurel, scoring 20 points. As for Saturday’s victory over Canon-McMillan, Keyan Gibson paced Beaver Falls with 17 points and Josh Creach tacked on 13. Will get another test Monday when the Tigers go across town to meet Blackhawk.
3. Greensburg Central Catholic(7, 5-0, 2-0) — previous ranking: 3 — Although Dr. Greg Bisignani’s explosive Centurions encountered less resistance than they did in their first few outings, GCC didn’t stray much from the game plan as a balanced attack keyed wins over Blackhawk (69-51) and South Allegheny (71-42). While Billy Hipp, Brian Graytock and Romano Sebastiani combined for 47 points in GCC’s win over Blackhawk, Graytok rocked South Allegheny with a 20-point salvo neatly complemented by 10 from Collin Bisignani. Will encounter some larger programs this weekend as GCC opens play at the Gateway Classic against Woodland Hills.
4. Loyalsock(4, 5-0, 2-0) — previous ranking: 4 — Ron Insinger’s lethal Lancers just keep churning out victories, with plenty of those successes featuring large numbers. Getting a combined 45 points from Omar Little, Mike Pastore and Ben Sosa, ‘Sock wheeled past Central Columbia 58-41. Several nights later, five players cracked double figures as Insinger’s Lancers laced Southern Columbia 92-65. Pastore led the way with 22 points, while Kyle Datres checked in with 15 and Sosa wound up with 14. Will encounter a difficult week that includes a Monday night date at Jersey Shore and a spot in State College’s rugged holiday event.
5. Seton-La Salle(7, 5-0, 2-0) — previous ranking: 5 — Putting three players in double figures in back-to-back outings, Mark Walsh’s Rebels claimed two more victims last week and kept their early-season record unblemished. Levi Masua (13), Malik White (11) and lead guard Dale Clancy (11) combined for 35 points in Seton’s 60-37 takedown of Brentwood. Several nights later, Christian DelGreco (17), Ryan Norkus (12) and Masua (10) kept the wrecking ball moving in a 52-40 victory over Fort Cherry. Up next for the Rebels is a Monday night date at South Park.
6. Lewisburg(4, 5-0, 3-0) — previous ranking: 6 — Here’s yet another successful side that eagerly distributed the offensive wealth last week in double-digit triumphs over Hughesville (50-40), Mount Carmel (65-36) and Troy (61-40). And while Will Sigl paced John Vaji’s Green Dragons in all three victories — the 6-8 Sigl registered 45 points in those wins — 6-7 soph Sam Allen totaled 38 points. Lead guard Jesse Flannery and Matt Fedorjaka each posted a pair of games with 10 points or more, adding variables to Lewisburg’s offensive equation. Will make the long trip north this weekend, opening the Wellsboro Tournament Friday against Montoursville.
7. Quaker Valley (7, 7-0, 3-0) — previous ranking: 7 — Mike Mastroianni’s Quakers continued their early season success, raising their mark to a perfect 7-0 by wheeling past Sto-Rox (58-42), Bishop Canevin (83-43) and Summit Academy (68-55). Winter Fondi’s 25 points helped QV chill Sto-Rox — John Bernard and Qadir Taylor backed Fondi with a combined 21 points — while Chris Conlan’s 21-point performance stoked the Quakers’ rout of Canevin. And in QV’s win over Summit, Jake Trovato, Conlan, Taylor and Bernard shared 49 points in that triumph. Headed for Deer Lakes on Saturday for a one-day showcase and a date with Springdale.
8. Neshannock (7, 5-1, 2-0) — previous ranking: 8 — Introduced to the Class AA top 10 last week, John Corey’s Lancers located an immediate comfort level and mashed Shenango 77-25. Neshannock encountered a tougher go several days later, but a shared 46 points from Matt McKenney, Ernie Burkes and Jimmy Medure enabled the Lancers to motor past Mohawk. Corey & Co. will get in one last game before the holiday arrives mid-week, boarding the bus Monday for a trip to Ford City.
9. Holy Cross (2, 4-1, 2-0) — previous ranking: 9 — Make that four in a row for Al Callejas’ resourceful Crusaders, who stretched their winning streak by defeating Wilkes-Barre Meyers (43-35) and Holy Redeemer (74-59). While Connor Callejas’ 16 points led a trio of double-digit scorers in the win over Meyers — Billy Trainor added 13 and Connor Jones 10 — those same three players fueled Holy Cross’ 15-point victory over Redeemer. Callejas’ 23-point burst in the win over Redeemer included career point No. 1,000. Won’t travel all that far over the holidays, visiting Lackawanna College Friday for a date with Scranton.
10. West Middlesex (10, 3-3, 2-0) — previous ranking: OTW — Back on point after starting the season with consecutive losses to West Middlesex, St. Mary’s (Md.) and Sharon, Chad Mild’s Big Reds have responded with three straight victories. The latest came last week in a 48-44 win over Kennedy Catholic and a 69-34 thumping of nearby Sharpsville. While Christian Porterfield, Isaac Williams and Trey Staunch split 30 points in the win over Kennedy, Staunch unloaded a 28-point salvo to lead the Big Reds past Sharpsville. Will spend the holidays playing a pair of games, as West Middlesex is part of Farrell’s four-team field.
OTHERS TO WATCH: Blairsville (6) 6-0, Conwell-Egan (12) 7-0, Fairview (10), 4-1, Jeannette (7) 4-2, Mercyhurst Prep (10) 3-1, Mid Valley (2) 5-0, Notre Dame-Green Pond (11) 3-2, Reynolds (10) 5-0, Riverside (2) 5-0, Tyrone (6) 5-1, Washington (7) 6-0, Wilmington (10) 4-1.
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