While the top half remained intact — Philly power Constitution continues to hold steady at No. 1 — the bottom half of PennLive’s Class AA boys’ basketball rankings look quite a bit different than they did a week ago.
Losing to WPIAL playmate Avonworth for the second time this season proved mighty costly as Quaker Valley — No. 6 last week — tumbled into the others to watch. Back in after a week’s respite is Holy Cross, which slides in at No. 9.
With Quaker Valley on the outside looking in and previous No. 7 Mid Valley dropping one spot, Beaver Falls and Aliquippa each climbed two rungs on the Class AA ladder. Fairview remains at No. 10 for the second straight 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, 18-4, 3-1) — previous ranking: 1 — Rob Moore’s remarkably capable Generals may have opened the week with a 41-40 loss to Imhotep Charter, but Constitution closed with a flourish, downing Math, Civics & Science (59-56, OT), Philly Electrical (60-49) and Baltimore’s Patterson High (63-56). Kimar Williams (11/10/12) and Ahmad Gilbert (19/17/15) churned out three double-digit outings last week for Moore’s club, which has completed its regular-season slate.
2. Loyalsock (4, 16-1, 2-0) — previous ranking: 2 — Continuing their impressive, post-holiday run, Ron Insinger’s Lancers stretched their winning streak to 10 games by handling Heartland-II rivals Mount Carmel (62-45) and Warrior Run (81-39). While Omar Little netted 21 points in the win over Mount Carmel, Ben Sosa (13) was one of five players to reach double digits as ‘Sock socked Warrior Run. Up next for Insinger’s Lancers are dates with Montoursville, Lewisburg and Williamsport.
3. Lewisburg (4, 18-1, 4-0) — previous ranking: 3 — While the schedule kept them busy throughout, John Vaji’s Green Dragons met little resistance while sweeping past Mifflinburg (69-37), Montoursville (60-32), Hughesville (71-34) and Central Columbia (54-35). Sam Allen posted four double-figure efforts (19/18/10/10) as Lewisburg extended its winning streak to seven games. No. 8 could arrive on Wednesday night, when Vaji’s Dragons travel to Warrior Run.
4. Seton-La Salle (7, 19-1, 2-0) — previous ranking: 4 — Uncorking a pair of balanced efforts, Seton continued its winning ways by defeating Washington (52-44) and Brashear (67-38). Levi Masua (12/17), Christian DelGreco (11/13) and Malik White (10/10) cracked double digits in both successes for the Rebels, while slick lead guard Dale Clancy netted 11 points in the win over Brashear. On deck for Seton is a Tuesday night visit from Burgettstown.
5. Greensburg Central Catholic (7, 15-2, 1-0) — previous ranking: 5 — Although GCC defeated Springdale 74-30 in its lone outing last week, the Centurions were in the news quite a bit since the WPIAL served up a three-game suspension for head coach Dr. Greg Bisignani for reportedly bumping an official following an earlier loss. Distraction or not, GCC popped Springdale behind a combined 51 points from Brian Graytok, Romano Sebastiani and Christian Hyland. Scheduled to play tonight against visiting Riverview.
6. Beaver Falls (7, 16-4, 2-0) — previous ranking: 8 — Popping four players into double figures both times out, Doug Biega’s balanced Tigers authored victories over New Brighton (75-40) and Mohawk (63-55). Javon Turner (14/10), Donovan Jeter (11/16) and Branden Thomas (11/14) cracked double digits in both wins. Will host neighboring Neshannock on Tuesday night.
7. Aliquippa (7, 14-5, 2-0) — previous ranking: 9 — Nick Lackovich’s Quips moved their winning streak to seven games, flashing balance in victories over Neshannock (80-67) and Riverside (59-26). Jassir Jordan reached double figures in both wins, collecting 22 and 15 points, respectively. Darrien Fields, Charles Humphries, Patrick Anderson and Kazeon Pugh also scored 10 points or more at least once. Will hit the WPIAL road on Tuesday, visiting Mohawk in search of consecutive win No. 8.
8. Mid Valley (2, 15-2, 2-1) — previous ranking: 7— Mike Abda’s Trojans opened last week with a 51-46 loss to Dunmore — Mid Valley downed the Bucks days earlier in a Lackawanna League first-half playoff — but rebounded with wins over Carbondale (80-39) and Lakeland (72-38). Held in check against Dunmore, Alex Prislupsky totaled 60 points in the Trojans’ latest wins. Doesn’t get any easier for Abda’s club since a Tuesday road date at Holy Cross awaits.
9. Holy Cross (2, 13-4, 3-0) — previous ranking: HM — Packing three victories into last week, Al Callejas’ outfit returned to the top 10 following wins over Lakeland (75-50), Montrose (56-48) and Old Forge (61-41). Connor Callejas (23/17/18) and Connor Jones (19/13/16) reached double digits in all three successes for the Crusaders, who will entertain Mid Valley on Tuesday night in Dunmore.
10. Fairview (10, 15-2, 2-0) — previous ranking: 10 — Uncorking two more balanced performances, Keith Nies’ Tigers stretched their winning streak to nine games by easing past Union City 62-41 and Northwestern 68-46. Harold Coles (16/20) and Andrew Niland (16/11) cranked out a pair of double-digit scoring efforts, while Coles also packed 10 boards into the win over Northwestern. Up next for Fairview is a Tuesday night scrap with visiting Seneca.
OTHERS TO WATCH: Avonworth (7) 15-3, Bald Eagle Area (6) 15-4, Bishop McCort (6) 12-4, Blairsville (6) 15-1, Calvary Christian (1) 15-2, Camp Hill (3) 14-8, Central Martinsburg (6) 11-6, Chartiers-Houston (7) 13-5, Columbia (3) 13-7, Conemaugh Twp (5) 13-4, Conwell-Egan (12) 14-6, Dunmore (2) 11-8, East Juniata (4) 17-0, Elk Lake (2) 17-0, Hanover (3) 16-5, Jeannette (7) 11-7, Mercyhurst Prep (10) 14-3, Neshannock (7) 15-5, Penns Valley (6) 14-2, Quaker Valley (7) 17-2, Richland (6) 13-3, Riverside (2) 13-5, Shady Side Academy (7) 11-8, South Allegheny (7) 13-7, South Williamsport (4) 13-4, Towanda (4) 16-2, Tyrone (6) 15-3, Washington (7) 14-6, Wellsboro (4) 14-5, West Middlesex (10) 12-5, Windber (5) 13-3.
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