As Rob Moore’s Constitution Generals tightened their grip on the No. 1 spot in PennLive’s Class AA boys’ basketball rankings — Constitution’s entrenchment at No. 1 carries a new meaning after last week’s effort — several other shifts occurred following surprises and a number of taut results.
With previous No. 5 Beaver Falls losing for the third time in six games, the Tigers have been dropped among the others to watch. Same for Aliquippa, which bounced in with a win over Neshannock and moved out after losing to Riverside.
After pushing Holy Cross, Mike Abda’s Mid Valley Spartans move in at No. 8, one spot below Al Callejas’ Crusaders. And Neshannock returns at No. 9 after downing Beaver Falls 65-61 in a close WPIAL Section 2 scrap.
Pay attention on Tuesday night as a number of intriguing games play out — Loyalsock-Lewisburg, Greensburg Central Catholic-Jeannette, Holy Cross-Dunmore and Mid Valley-Riverside — that could have an impact here early next week.
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, 11-2, 3-0) — previous ranking: 1 — Rob Moore’s Generals certainly enjoyed a five-star week with their sweep of Public League powers Martin Luther King (65-49), Math, Civics & Sciences (62-54) and Imhotep Charter (63-53). Ahmad Gilbert banked double figures in all three games (22/16/20), as did Raheem Liggins (11/11/10). Winners of its last seven, Constitution will try to make it eight straight on Tuesday against Philly Electrical.
2. Seton-La Salle(7, 11-0, 2-0) — previous ranking: 2 — The Rebels crunched two more opponents last week, belting Washington (66-32) and Burgettstown (81-49) to run their midseason mark to 11-0. While Christian DelGreco’s 15 points led four players in double figures against Washington, Ryan Norkus tossed in 20 and Levi Masua added 14 in Seton’s easy win over Burgettstown. Next up is a Tuesday night date at home against Bishop Canevin.
3. Greensburg Central Catholic(7, 11-1, 2-0) — previous ranking: 3 — GCC also cracked a pair of WPIAL playmates last week — just like Seton-La Salle — rolling Springdale (85-44) and Serra Catholic (98-55) without much difficulty. Popped five players into double digits both nights, with Brian Graytok leading the way (15/23). Will welcome Section 3 rival Jeannette on Tuesday night.
4. Loyalsock(4, 8-1, 1-0) — previous ranking: 4 — Having played once since their trip to State College’s holiday tournament, Ron Insinger’s Lancers returned to the floor with a flourish on Friday, popping neighboring Montoursville 58-42. Mike Pastore rang up 15 points for ‘Sock, while Ben Sosa checked in with nine. Should be cranked up Tuesday night, when No. 5 Lewisburg rolls in for a Heartland 2 dustup.
5. Lewisburg(4, 11-0, 3-0) — previous ranking: 6 — Opened last week by surviving an expected test at Central Columbia (60-56), then closed the seven-day stretch with a flurry highlighted by victories over Warrior Run (73-35) and Selinsgrove (50-29). Soph Sam Allen crafted a terrific week, posting a double-double at Central Columbia (26 points, 10 rebounds) before totaling 27 points in the Green Dragons’ other two Ws. Jesse Flannery and Matt Fedorjaka also banked a pair of double-digit efforts. Headed up U.S. 15 on Tuesday to face Heartland 2 rival and No. 4 Loyalsock.
6. Quaker Valley (7, 12-1, 2-0) — previous ranking: 7 — Mike Mastroianni’s Quakers ran their winning streak to three games with comfortable victories over South Side Beaver (86-37) and Northgate (69-47). While Chris Conlan and Christian Miller split 28 points in the win over South Side, Conlan’s 22 points paved the way against Northgate. Will get back on the bus Tuesday night for a date at Freedom.
7. Holy Cross (2, 8-2, 2-0) — previous ranking: 9 — Remained perfect against Class AA competition, edging Mid Valley 59-56 before leveling Lakeland 75-38 to close out a 2-0 week. Connor Callejas and Connor Jones shared 41 in Holy Cross’ narrow win over then-unbeaten Mid Valley, then combined for 34 as Al Callejas’ Crusaders walloped Lakeland. Holy Cross should face another excited opponent on Tuesday night when the Crusaders venture across town to meet Dunmore.
8. Mid Valley (2, 10-1, 2-1) — previous ranking: HM — With Alex Prislupsky registering 47 points in the two victories, Mike Abda’s Spartans prepped for their showdown with Holy Cross by popping Dunmore (45-28) and Lakeland (63-34). Prislupsky came back with 21 against Holy Cross — A.J. Gangemi added 13 and Martin Walsh 12 — but it wasn’t quite enough to keep Mid Valley unbeaten. Will be in another scrap Tuesday night at Riverside.
9. Neshannock (7, 10-2, 2-0) — previous ranking: HM — Back in the state-wide mix after a week away from the top 10, John Corey’s Lancers used the seven-day stretch to rebound from a loss to Aliquippa. They also turned back New Brighton (57-45) and Beaver Falls (65-61) to climb back in at No. 9. While Matt McKinney, Ethan Moose and Ernie Burkes combined for 43 points against New Brighton, McKinney’s 19 fueled Neshannock’s win over Beaver Falls. Will visit Laurel on Tuesday.
10. West Middlesex (10, 6-4, 1-0) — previous ranking: 10 — Picking up a combined 58 points from Ryan Dogan, Trey Staunch and Isaac Williams — Dogan tossed in 24 — Chad Mild’s Big Reds turned back Greenville 76-65 in their lone outing. May need that kind of pop again on Tuesday, when West Middlesex travels to Reynolds.
OTHERS TO WATCH: Aliquippa (7) 7-4, Avonworth (7) 9-3, Bald Eagle Area (6) 9-1, Beaver Falls (7) 9-3, Blairsville (6) 7-1, Columbia (3) 10-3, Conemaugh Twp (5) 10-2, Conwell-Egan (12) 11-1, Elk Lake (2) 10-0, Fairview (10) 10-2, Hanover (3) 10-3, Jeannette (7) 8-3, Mercyhurst Prep (10) 9-3, Penns Valley (6) 8-0, Reynolds (10) 8-2, Richland (6) 9-1, Riverside (2) 10-2, South Allegheny (7) 9-4, Towanda (4) 9-2, Tyrone (6) 8-3, Washington (7) 10-3, Windber (5) 7-3.
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